this is the inability of cardiac cells to respond to a new stimulus while it is still in contraction in response to a previous stimulus
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Cardiovascular System Exam Questions

1. What is the term that describes the inability of cardiac cells to respond to a new stimulus while they are still in contraction from a previous stimulus?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Refractoriness is the correct term to describe the inability of cardiac cells to respond to a new stimulus while they are still in contraction from a previous stimulus. This period is essential for the heart to complete its contraction and relaxation phases without interference. Excitability refers to the ability of cells to respond to stimuli, not the inability to respond. Contractility is the force of cardiac muscle contraction, and automaticity is the ability of cardiac cells to generate electrical impulses spontaneously, which are not relevant to the described scenario.

2. What condition involves a weakened and bulging aorta, the main artery in the body, potentially leading to rupture?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: An aortic aneurysm is a condition characterized by the weakening and bulging of the aorta, the body's main artery. If left untreated, this bulging may lead to a rupture, causing severe complications. Arterial stenosis refers to the narrowing of an artery, not the weakening and bulging seen in an aortic aneurysm. Pulmonary embolism involves a blockage in the pulmonary artery, which is different from the weakening and bulging in an aortic aneurysm. Deep vein thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, not related to the condition described in the question.

3. The client is being taught about the use of warfarin. What is the most important dietary instruction?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Avoid foods high in vitamin K. Warfarin is a medication that works by decreasing the activity of vitamin K in the body to prevent blood clotting. Therefore, consuming foods high in vitamin K like green leafy vegetables can interfere with the medication's effectiveness. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Increasing the intake of vitamin K-rich foods would counteract the effects of warfarin. Avoiding foods high in protein or increasing the intake of foods high in calcium are not specifically related to the use of warfarin.

4. Which term describes an abnormal heartbeat that can be either too fast or too slow?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Arrhythmia. Arrhythmia is a broad term that refers to any irregularity in the heart's rhythm, which can manifest as a heartbeat that is too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or irregular. Choice B, Bradycardia, specifically denotes a slow heart rate, while choice C, Tachycardia, refers to a fast heart rate. Choice D, Conductivity, is not the correct term to describe an abnormal heartbeat characterized by speed irregularities.

5. Which surgical procedure involves opening or replacing a narrowed or blocked heart valve?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Valve replacement is the correct answer because it specifically involves surgically replacing a damaged or diseased heart valve with a prosthetic valve to address narrowing or blockage, thereby improving blood flow and heart function. Angioplasty (choice B) is a procedure to widen narrowed or obstructed arteries, typically using a balloon catheter. Stent placement (choice C) involves inserting a mesh tube to support a weakened artery. Coronary bypass surgery (choice D) is a procedure to create new routes for blood flow to the heart muscle by bypassing blocked arteries.

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