this is a condition where the hearts ability to pump blood is reduced because the heart muscle is enlarged thickened or stiffened
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Cardiovascular System Practice Exam

1. What is a condition where the heart's ability to pump blood is reduced because the heart muscle is enlarged, thickened, or stiffened?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Cardiomyopathy is the correct answer. It is a condition characterized by the enlargement, thickening, or stiffening of the heart muscle, leading to a reduced ability of the heart to pump blood effectively. Endocarditis (Choice B) is the inflammation of the inner lining of the heart chambers and valves, not specifically related to the heart muscle. Myocarditis (Choice C) is inflammation of the heart muscle typically caused by a viral infection, not directly related to the heart muscle's structure. Aortic stenosis (Choice D) is a condition characterized by the narrowing of the aortic valve opening, affecting blood flow from the heart's left ventricle to the aorta, different from the structural changes seen in cardiomyopathy.

2. What is the ability of cardiac cells to respond to an impulse by contracting?

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.

3. What structure separates the left and right sides of the heart?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The interventricular septum is the correct answer as it is the wall that separates the left and right sides of the heart, ensuring the oxygenated and deoxygenated blood do not mix. The endocardium is the inner lining of the heart chambers, the epicardium is the outermost layer of the heart wall, and the pericardium is the sac that surrounds the heart, providing protection and anchoring the heart in place. Therefore, choices B, C, and D are incorrect in the context of separating the left and right sides of the heart.

4. What test measures the pressure inside the arteries as the heart pumps blood?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A) Blood pressure test. A blood pressure test is specifically designed to measure the pressure inside the arteries as the heart pumps blood. This test is crucial in providing information about cardiovascular health by determining the force of blood against the artery walls. Choice B, Pulse oximetry, measures oxygen saturation in the blood, not blood pressure. Choice C, Echocardiogram, is an ultrasound test that evaluates the structure and function of the heart, not specifically blood pressure. Choice D, Spirometry, is a test used to assess lung function, not blood pressure.

5. What is the procedure where a small mesh tube is inserted into an artery to keep it open after angioplasty?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, stent placement. Stent placement involves inserting a small mesh tube into an artery to maintain its openness after angioplasty. This choice is correct because it directly describes the procedure mentioned in the question. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Bypass surgery involves rerouting blood flow around a blocked artery using a vessel from another part of the body. Angioplasty is the procedure of widening a narrowed or blocked blood vessel, often followed by stent placement. Valve replacement is a surgical procedure to replace a damaged or diseased heart valve with an artificial or biological valve.

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