ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Exam
1. What is a condition where the heart's electrical system malfunctions, leading to an irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia?
- A. Arrhythmia
- B. Bradycardia
- C. Tachycardia
- D. Ventricular fibrillation
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, Arrhythmia. Arrhythmia refers to an irregular heartbeat caused by the malfunction of the heart's electrical system. Bradycardia (choice B) is a condition characterized by a slow heart rate, while Tachycardia (choice C) is a condition characterized by a fast heart rate. Ventricular fibrillation (choice D) is a life-threatening arrhythmia where the heart's lower chambers quiver erratically.
2. Which structure serves as the major chemoreceptor of the heart?
- A. Carotid body
- B. Aortic body
- C. Vagus nerve
- D. SA node
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, the carotid body. The carotid body is the major chemoreceptor of the heart responsible for detecting changes in blood oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH levels. This specialized structure helps regulate the cardiovascular system's response to maintain appropriate oxygen levels in the blood. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they are not directly involved in chemoreception in the heart. The aortic body is primarily involved in blood pressure regulation, the vagus nerve is a cranial nerve responsible for parasympathetic innervation, and the SA node is known as the heart's natural pacemaker.
3. Which term refers to the relaxation phase of the heart, during which the chambers fill with blood?
- A. Diastole
- B. Systole
- C. Refractoriness
- D. Automaticity
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, Diastole. Diastole is the phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscles relax, allowing the chambers to fill with blood. Choice B, Systole, is incorrect as systole is the contraction phase of the heart when blood is pumped out of the chambers. Choice C, Refractoriness, refers to a period during which the heart muscle is unresponsive to stimuli. Choice D, Automaticity, relates to the heart's ability to generate its own electrical impulses.
4. Which term conceptualizes that the greater the myocardial fiber stretch, within physiologic limits, the more forceful the ventricular contraction, thereby increasing stroke volume?
- A. Frank-Starling’s Law
- B. Automaticity
- C. Contractility
- D. Excitability
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, Frank-Starling’s Law. This law explains that within physiologic limits, the greater the stretch of myocardial fibers, the more forceful the ventricular contraction, leading to an increased stroke volume. Choice B, Automaticity, refers to the ability of cardiac cells to spontaneously generate electrical impulses. Choice C, Contractility, represents the intrinsic ability of the heart muscle to contract. Choice D, Excitability, refers to the ability of cardiac cells to respond to electrical stimuli.
5. What is the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pleural space, often associated with infections or malignancies?
- A. Pleural effusion
- B. Pneumothorax
- C. Pulmonary edema
- D. Atelectasis
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, pleural effusion. Pleural effusion is the accumulation of excess fluid between the layers of the pleura outside the lungs, often caused by infections, cancer, or other diseases. Pneumothorax (choice B) is the presence of air in the pleural space, not fluid. Pulmonary edema (choice C) is the accumulation of fluid in the lungs' air sacs and tissue, not in the pleural space. Atelectasis (choice D) is the collapse or closure of a lung resulting in reduced or absent gas exchange.
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