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Cardiovascular System Exam Questions Pdf
1. Which condition refers to the heart being unable to pump sufficient blood to meet the body's needs?
- A. Heart failure
- B. Myocardial infarction
- C. Cardiomyopathy
- D. Pericarditis
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, heart failure. This condition occurs when the heart can't pump enough blood to fulfill the body's requirements. Myocardial infarction (choice B) is the medical term for a heart attack, which is caused by a blockage in the coronary arteries. Cardiomyopathy (choice C) is a disease of the heart muscle that makes it harder for the heart to pump blood. Pericarditis (choice D) is the inflammation of the pericardium, the thin sac-like membrane surrounding the heart, and does not specifically involve the heart's inability to pump sufficient blood.
2. Which of the following is a type of heart valve disease where the aortic valve becomes narrowed, restricting blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body?
- A. Aortic stenosis
- B. Mitral stenosis
- C. Tricuspid regurgitation
- D. Pulmonary hypertension
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is Aortic stenosis. In aortic stenosis, the aortic valve becomes narrowed, which obstructs the blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. This condition can lead to symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and fainting. Mitral stenosis (choice B) involves narrowing of the mitral valve, not the aortic valve. Tricuspid regurgitation (choice C) is a condition where the tricuspid valve leaks, causing blood to flow backward in the heart. Pulmonary hypertension (choice D) is high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs.
3. What is the ability of cardiac cells to respond to an impulse by contracting?
- A. Excitability
- B. Contractility
- C. Rhythmicity
- D. Conductivity
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Excitability is the correct term that describes the ability of cardiac cells to respond to an impulse by contracting. Excitability refers to the cell's ability to respond to stimuli and generate an action potential. Choice B, Contractility, is incorrect as it refers to the ability of cardiac cells to contract after receiving a stimulus, not the response to the impulse itself. Choice C, Rhythmicity, is incorrect as it pertains to the heart's ability to contract rhythmically without external stimulation. Choice D, Conductivity, is incorrect as it refers to the ability of cardiac cells to transmit an impulse from cell to cell, not the direct response to the impulse by contracting.
4. What is a condition where the heart muscle becomes thickened without an obvious cause, leading to a reduction in the heart's ability to pump blood?
- A. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- B. Dilated cardiomyopathy
- C. Restrictive cardiomyopathy
- D. Myocarditis
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the correct answer. It is a condition characterized by the abnormal thickening of the heart muscle without an obvious cause, which impairs the heart's ability to effectively pump blood. Dilated cardiomyopathy (choice B) involves the enlargement and weakening of the heart chambers, not thickening. Restrictive cardiomyopathy (choice C) refers to the stiffening of the heart muscle, limiting its ability to fill properly. Myocarditis (choice D) is inflammation of the heart muscle usually caused by a viral infection, not thickening.
5. Which medication is used to prevent blood clots by thinning the blood, reducing the risk of stroke and heart attack?
- A. Anticoagulant
- B. ACE inhibitor
- C. Beta-blocker
- D. Calcium channel blocker
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is 'Anticoagulant.' Anticoagulants are medications specifically designed to prevent blood clots by thinning the blood, which effectively reduces the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other cardiovascular events. Choices B, C, and D, which are ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers, respectively, do not have the primary mechanism of action to prevent blood clot formation. ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers are commonly used for managing hypertension and other cardiovascular conditions by different mechanisms of action.
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