Pathopharm Exam 1-S4 Flashcards
Which statement made by a student indicates the healthcare professional needs to describe the pericardium again?
a. The pericardium is a double-walled membranous sac that encloses the heart.
b. It is made up of connective tissue and a surface layer of squamous cells.
c. The pericardium protects the heart against infection and inflammation from the lungs and pleural space.
d. It contains pain and mechanoreceptors that can elicit reflex changes in blood
pressure and heart rate.
b. It is made up of connective tissue and a surface layer of squamous cells.
Which cardiac chambers have the thinnest wall and why?
a. The right and left atria; they are low-pressure chambers that serve as storage units and conduits for blood.
b. The right and left atria; they are not directly involved in the preload, contractility, or afterload of the heart.
c. The left ventricle; the mean pressure of blood coming into this ventricle is from the lung, which has a low pressure.
d. The right ventricle; it pumps blood into the pulmonary capillaries, which have a lower pressure compared with the systemic circulation.
a. The right and left atria; they are low-pressure chambers that serve as storage units and conduits for blood.
Which chamber of the heart endures the highest pressures?
a. Right atrium
b. Left atrium
c. Left ventricle
d. Right ventricle
c. Left ventricle
What is the process that ensures mitral and tricuspid valve closure after the ventricles are filled with blood?
a. Chordae tendineae relax, which allows the valves to close.
b. Increased pressure in the ventricles pushes the valves to close.
c. Trabeculae carneae contract, which pulls the valves closed.
d. Reduced pressure in the atria creates a negative pressure that pulls the valves closed.
b. Increased pressure in the ventricles pushes the valves to close.
A student asks the healthcare professional to explain the function of the papillary muscles. What response by the professional is best?
a. The papillary muscles close the semilunar valves.
b. These muscles prevent backward expulsion of the atrioventricular valves.
c. They open the atrioventricular valves.
d. The papillary muscles open the semilunar valves.
b. These muscles prevent backward expulsion of the atrioventricular valves.
During the cardiac cycle, why do the aortic and pulmonic valves close after the ventricles relax?
a. Papillary muscles relax, which allows the valves to close.
b. Chordae tendineae contract, which pulls the valves closed.
c. Reduced pressure in the ventricles creates a negative pressure, which pulls the valves closed.
d. Blood fills the cusps of the valves and causes the edges to merge, closing the valves.
d. Blood fills the cusps of the valves and causes the edges to merge, closing the valves.
Oxygenated blood flows through which vessel?
a. Superior vena cava
b. Pulmonary veins
c. Pulmonary artery
d. Coronary veins
b. Pulmonary veins
A healthcare professional tells a student that a patient has lost atrial kick. What would the student expect to see when examining this patient?
a. Improvement in atrial dysrhythmias
b. Increased blood pressure
c. Signs of decreased cardiac output
d. Elevations in serum troponin levels
c. Signs of decreased cardiac output
Occlusion of the left anterior descending artery during a myocardial infarction would interrupt blood supply to which structures?
a. Left and right ventricles and much of the interventricular septum
b. Left atrium and the lateral wall of the left ventricle
c. Upper right ventricle, right marginal branch, and right ventricle to the apex
d. Posterior interventricular sulcus and the smaller branches of both ventricles
a. Left and right ventricles and much of the interventricular septum
Where are the coronary ostia located?
a. Left ventricle
b. Aortic valve
c. Coronary sinus
d. Aorta
d. Aorta
The coronary sinus empties into which cardiac structure?
a. Right atrium
b. Left atrium
c. Superior vena cava
d. Aorta
a. Right atrium
During the cardiac cycle, which structure directly delivers action potential to the ventricular myocardium?
a. Sinoatrial (SA) node
b. Atrioventricular (AV) node
c. Purkinje fibers
d. Bundle branches
c. Purkinje fibers
A patient has a problem with Phase 0 of the cardiac cycle. What electrolyte imbalance would the healthcare professional associate most directly with this problem?
a. Hyperkalemia
b. Hyponatremia
c. Hypercalcemia
d. Hypomagnesemia
b. Hyponatremia
A healthcare professional is caring for a patient who has a delay in electrical activity reaching the ventricle as seen on ECG. What ECG finding would the healthcare professional associate with this problem?
a. A prolonged ST interval
b. Variability in measurement with heart rate
c. PR interval measuring 0.28 sec
d. A QRS complex measuring 0.08 sec
c. PR interval measuring 0.28 sec
The cardiac electrical impulse normally begins spontaneously in the sinoatrial (SA) node because of what reason?
a. It has a superior location in the right atrium.
b. It is the only area of the heart capable of spontaneous depolarization.
c. It has rich sympathetic innervation via the vagus nerve.
d. It depolarizes more rapidly than other automatic cells of the heart.
d. It depolarizes more rapidly than other automatic cells of the heart.
What period follows depolarization of the myocardium and represents a period during which no new cardiac potential can be propagated?
a. Refractory
b. Hyperpolarization
c. Threshold
d. Sinoatrial (SA)
a. Refractory
A patient has a disorder affecting ventricular depolarization. What ECG finding would the healthcare professional associate with this condition?
a. Shortened PR interval
b. Prolonged QRS interval
c. QT interval variability
d. Absence of P waves
b. Prolonged QRS interval
What can shorten the conduction time of action potential through the atrioventricular (AV) node?
a. Parasympathetic nervous system
b. Catecholamines
c. Vagal stimulation
d. Sinoatrial node (SA)
b. Catecholamines
A patient had a myocardial infarction that damaged the SA node, which is no longer functioning as the pacemaker of the heart. What heart rate would the healthcare provider expect the patient to have?
a. 60 to 70 beats/min
b. 40 to 60 beats/min
c. 30 to 40 beats/min
d. 10 to 20 beats/min
b. 40 to 60 beats/min
What is the effect of epinephrine on Beta-3 receptors on the heart?
a. Decreases coronary blood flow
b. Supplements the effects of both 1 and 2 receptors
c. Increases the strength of myocardial contraction
d. Prevents overstimulation of the heart by the sympathetic nervous system
d. Prevents overstimulation of the heart by the sympathetic nervous system
Where in the heart are the receptors for neurotransmitters located?
a. Semilunar and atrioventricular (AV) valves
b. Endocardium and sinoatrial (SA) node
c. Myocardium and coronary vessels
d. Epicardium and AV node
c. Myocardium and coronary vessels
What enables electrical impulses to travel in a continuous cell-to-cell fashion in myocardial cells?
a. Sarcolemma sclerotic plaques
b. Intercalated disks
c. Trabeculae carneae
d. Bachmann bundles
b. Intercalated disks
Within a physiologic range, what does an increase in left ventricular end-diastolic volume (preload) result in?
a. Increase in force of contraction
b. Decrease in refractory time
c. Increase in afterload
d. Decrease in repolarization
a. Increase in force of contraction
The healthcare professional explains to a student that the amount of volume of blood in the heart is directly related to the _____ of contraction.
a. Pressure
b. Strength
c. Viscosity
d. Speed
b. Strength
Pressure in the left ventricle must exceed pressure in which structure before the left ventricle can eject blood?
a. Superior vena cava
b. Aorta
c. Inferior vena cava
d. Pulmonary veins
b. Aorta
A healthcare professional is caring for a patient who has continuous increases in left ventricular filing pressures. What disorder would the professional assess the patient for?
a. Mitral regurgitation
b. Mitral stenosis
c. Pulmonary edema
d. Jugular vein distention
c. Pulmonary edema
The resting heart rate in a healthy person is primarily under the control of which nervous system?
a. Sympathetic
b. Parasympathetic
c. Somatic
d. Spinal
b. Parasympathetic
The Bainbridge reflex is thought to be initiated by sensory neurons in which cardiac location?
a. Atria
b. Aorta
c. Sinoatrial (SA) node
d. Ventricles
a. Atria
A healthcare professional cares for older adults in a skilled nursing facility. What should the professional assess for in these individuals related to cardiovascular functioning?
a. Increased rate of falling and dizzy spells
b. Improved exercise tolerance
c. A gradual slowing of the heart rate
d. Progressive ECG changes
a. Increased rate of falling and dizzy spells
Reflex control of total cardiac output and total peripheral resistance is controlled by what mechanism?
a. Parasympathetic stimulation of the heart, arterioles, and veins
b. Sympathetic stimulation of the heart, arterioles, and veins
c. Autonomic control of the heart only
d. Somatic control of the heart, arterioles, and veins
b. Sympathetic stimulation of the heart, arterioles, and veins
What is the most important negative inotropic agent?
a. Norepinephrine
b. Epinephrine
c. Acetylcholine
d. Dopamine
c. Acetylcholine
The right lymphatic duct drains into which structure?
a. Right subclavian artery
b. Right atrium
c. Right subclavian vein
d. Superior vena cava
c. Right subclavian vein
A patient had a motor vehicle crash and suffered critical injuries to the brainstem. What physiological responses would the healthcare professional expect to see?
a. Prolonged QRS segment
b. Shortened PR interval
c. Pulse and blood pressure changes
d. Fluid overload
c. Pulse and blood pressure changes
What is an expected change in the cardiovascular system that occurs with aging?
a. Arterial stiffening
b. Decreased left ventricular wall tension
c. Decreased aortic wall thickness
d. Arteriosclerosis
a. Arterial stiffening
What is the major determinant of the resistance that blood encounters as it flows through the systemic circulation?
a. Volume of blood in the systemic circulation
b. Muscle layer of the metarterioles
c. Muscle layer of the arterioles
d. Force of ventricular contraction
c. Muscle layer of the arterioles
What physical sign does the healthcare professional relate to the result of turbulent blood flow through a vessel?
a. Increased blood pressure during periods of stress
b. Bounding pulse felt on palpation
c. Cyanosis observed on exertion
d. Murmur heard on auscultation
d. Murmur heard on auscultation
What is the major effect of a calcium channel blocker such as verapamil on cardiac contractions?
a. Increases the rate of cardiac contractions
b. Decreases the strength of cardiac contractions
c. Stabilizes the rhythm of cardiac contractions
d. Stabilizes the vasodilation during cardiac contractions
b. Decreases the strength of cardiac contractions
An early diastole peak caused by filling of the atrium from peripheral veins is identified by which intracardiac pressure?
a. A wave
b. V wave
c. C wave
d. X descent
b. V wave
What is the initiating event that leads to the development of atherosclerosis?
a. Release of the inflammatory cytokines
b. Macrophages adhere to vessel walls.
c. Injury to the endothelial cells that line the artery walls
d. Release of the platelet-deprived growth factor
c. Injury to the endothelial cells that line the artery walls
When endothelial cells are injured, what alteration contributes to atherosclerosis?
a. The release of toxic oxygen radicals that oxidize low-density lipoproteins (LDLs)
b. Cells are unable to make the normal amount of vasodilating cytokines.
c. Cells produce an increased amount of antithrombotic cytokines.
d. Cells develop a hypersensitivity to homocysteine and lipids.
b. Cells are unable to make the normal amount of vasodilating cytokines.
Which factor is responsible for the hypertrophy of the myocardium associated with hypertension?
a. Increased norepinephrine
b. Adducin
c. Angiotensin II
d. Insulin resistance
c. Angiotensin II
What pathologic change occurs to the kidney’s glomeruli as a result of hypertension?
a. Compression of the renal tubules
b. Ischemia of the tubule
c. Increased pressure from within the tubule
d. Obstruction of the renal tubule
b. Ischemia of the tubule
What effect does atherosclerosis have on the development of an aneurysm?
a. Atherosclerosis causes ischemia of the intima.
b. It increases nitric oxide.
c. Atherosclerosis erodes the vessel wall.
d. It obstructs the vessel.
c. Atherosclerosis erodes the vessel wall.
Regarding the endothelium, what is the difference between healthy vessel walls and those that promote clot formation?
a. Inflammation and roughening of the endothelium of the artery are present.
b. Hypertrophy and vasoconstriction of the endothelium of the artery are present.
c. Excessive clot formation and lipid accumulation in the endothelium of the artery are present.
d. Evidence of age-related changes that weaken the endothelium of the artery is present.
a. Inflammation and roughening of the endothelium of the artery are present.
A healthcare professional is caring for four patients. Which patient does the professional assess for pulmonary emboli (PE) as the priority?
a. Deep venous thrombosis
b. Endocarditis
c. Valvular disease
d. Left heart failure
a. Deep venous thrombosis
Which factor can trigger an immune response in the bloodstream that may result in an embolus?
a. Amniotic fluid
b. Fat
c. Bacteria
d. Air
a. Amniotic fluid
Which statement best describes thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger disease)?
a. Inflammatory disorder of small- and medium-size arteries in the feet and sometimes in the hands
b. Vasospastic disorder of the small arteries and arterioles of the fingers and, less commonly, of the toes
c. Autoimmune disorder of the large arteries and veins of the upper and lower extremities
d. Neoplastic disorder of the lining of the arteries and veins of the upper extremities
a. Inflammatory disorder of small- and medium-size arteries in the feet and sometimes in the hands
A patient has been diagnosed with Raynaud disease and asks for an explanation. What statement by the healthcare professional is best?
a. Inflammatory disorder of small- and medium-size arteries in the feet and sometimes in the hands
b. Neoplastic disorder of the lining of the arteries and veins of the upper extremities
c. Vasospastic disorder of the small arteries and arterioles of the fingers and, less commonly, of the toes
d. Autoimmune disorder of the large arteries and veins of the upper and lower extremities
c. Vasospastic disorder of the small arteries and arterioles of the fingers and, less commonly, of the toes
A patient who has lung cancer calls the clinic reports facial and neck swelling severe enough so that shirts no longer fit. What question by the healthcare professional there would be most appropriate?
a. “Have you gained weight recently?”
b. “Are your feet and ankles swollen?”
c. “Does your voice sound hoarse?”
d. “When was your last chemotherapy?”
c. “Does your voice sound hoarse?”
What term is used to identify when a cell is temporarily deprived of blood supply?
a. Infarction
b. Ischemia
c. Necrosis
d. Inflammation
b. Ischemia
A person wishes to reduce the risk of developing coronary artery disease. This person has a normal lipid panel. What risk factor reduction would the healthcare professional advise for this person?
a. Eating a low-fat diet
b. Controlling the blood pressure
c. Avoiding air pollution
d. Moderate alcohol use
b. Controlling the blood pressure
Nicotine increases atherosclerosis by the release of which neurotransmitter?
a. Histamine
b. Nitric oxide
c. Angiotensin II
d. Epinephrine
d. Epinephrine
Which substance primarily contains cholesterol and protein?
a. Very low-density lipoproteins (VLDLs)
b. Low-density lipoproteins (LDLs)
c. High-density lipoproteins (HDLs)
d. Triglycerides
b. Low-density lipoproteins (LDLs)
Which elevated value may be protective of the development of atherosclerosis?
a. Very low-density lipoproteins (VLDLs)
b. Low-density lipoproteins (LDLs)
c. High-density lipoproteins (HDLs
d. Triglycerides
c. High-density lipoproteins (HDLs
Which laboratory test is an indirect measure of atherosclerotic plaque?
a. Homocysteine
b. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
c. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
d. C-reactive protein (CRP)
d. C-reactive protein (CRP)
Cardiac cells can withstand ischemic conditions and still return to a viable state for how many
minutes?
a. 10
b. 15
c. 20
d. 25
c. 20
A patient reports chest pain that occurs most often during sleep. What treatment does the healthcare professional discuss with the patient?
a. Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea
b. Short-acting nitroglycerin tablets
c. A low-dose aspirin regimen
d. Oral calcium channel blockers
d. Oral calcium channel blockers
A patient who had a myocardial infarction is going to cardiac rehabilitation where progressive exercise is monitored by health care professionals. When would this patient be most vulnerable to injury and complications?
a. Between 5 and 9 days
b. Between 10 and 14 days
c. Between 15 and 20 days
d. Between 20 and 30 days
b. Between 10 and 14 days
A patient in the Emergency department is suspected of having a myocardial infarction (MI). The initial cardiac troponin 1 level was negative. What action by the healthcare professional is best?
a. Prepare the patient for thrombolytic therapy.
b. Dismiss the patient because the lab was negative.
c. Schedule repeat lab within a few hours.
d. Give the patient oxygen and pain medication.
c. Schedule repeat lab within a few hours.
What electrocardiogram (ECG) change would the healthcare professional assess for when a patient’s myocardial infarction extends through the myocardium from the endocardium to the epicardium?
a. Prolonged QT interval
b. ST elevation
c. ST depression
d. Prolonged PR interval
b. ST elevation
How does angiotensin II increase the workload of the heart after a myocardial infarction (MI)?
a. By increasing the peripheral vasoconstriction
b. By causing dysrhythmias as a result of hyperkalemia
c. By reducing the contractility of the myocardium
d. By stimulating the sympathetic nervous system
a. By increasing the peripheral vasoconstriction
A healthcare provider is assessing a patient who has a pericardial effusion and notes a pulsus paradoxus. A student asks for an explanation of how this occurs. What description by the professional is best?
a. Diastolic filling pressures of the right ventricle and reduction of blood volume in both ventricles
b. Blood ejected from the right atrium and reduction of blood volume in the right ventricle
c. Blood ejected from the left atrium and reduction of blood volume in the left ventricle
d. Diastolic filling pressures of the left ventricle and reduction of blood volume in all four heart chambers
d. Diastolic filling pressures of the left ventricle and reduction of blood volume in all four heart chambers
A patient reports sudden onset of severe chest pain that radiates to the back and worsens with breathing and when lying down. What action by the healthcare professional is most appropriate?
a. Prepare to assist with an immediate pericardiocentesis.
b. Inform the patient about the side effects of diuretics.
c. Facilitate the patient getting an immediate ECG.
d. Teach the patient about a course of antiinflammatory medications.
d. Teach the patient about a course of antiinflammatory medications.
A disproportionate thickening of the interventricular septum is the hallmark of which form of cardiomyopathy?
a. Dystrophic
b. Hypertrophic
c. Restrictive
d. Dilated
b. Hypertrophic
Amyloidosis, hemochromatosis, or glycogen storage disease usually causes which form of cardiomyopathy?
a. Infiltrative
b. Restrictive
c. Septal
d. Hypertrophic
b. Restrictive