Practice Test Questions Flashcards
The complete blood count (CBC) is a test used to evaluate overall health and detect a wide range of disorders, including anemia and infection. It is an analysis of the blood that consists of a red blood count, white blood count, a differential white blood count and hemoglobin and hemocrit measurements. One way to determine hemocrit is to place blood in a tube and spin the tube in a centrifuge, thereby separating the blood components. Which of the following is a false statement with regard to the hemocrit and rbcs?
A) the red blood cells account for the same percentage of the total blood volume in males and females
B) abnormal hematocrit may be an indication of anemia
C)the hematocrit is the percentage of total blood volume composed of red blood cells
D) when blood is centrifuged, white blood cells and platelets rest on the red blood cells
E) when blood is centrifuged, plasma is found at the top of the tube
A) the red blood cells account for the same percentage of the total blood volume in males and females
The extent to which the ventricular walls are stretched is called the …
When this is increased, the result is an increase in…
A) afterload, stroke volume
B) ventricular ejection, the number of cross bridges formed
C) venous return, the afterload
D) preload, cardiac output
D) preload, cardiac output
Control of blood gases is important for maintaining homeostasis. With regard to blood gas control, choose the statement that is false
A) respiratory acidosis can lead to increase PCO2 in the plasma
B) central chemoreceptors respond to CO2 changes in the extracellular fluid in the brain
C) all of the choices are true. None are false
D) peripheral chemoreceptors respond to H+, O2 and CO2 changes in arterial blood
E) control centers in medulla oblongata and pons adjust rate and depth of breathing to compensate for changes in blood gases
C) all of the choices are true. None are false
Which of the following are true with regard to breathing?
A) all of the choices are true
B) the diaphragm and intercostal muscles contract when stimulated by afferent nerves
C) inspiration is initiated by action potentials from the DRG
D) the vagus nerve innervates the diaphragm
E) the VRG is located in the pons in front of the DRG
C) inspiration is initiated by action potentials from the DRG
Prednisone is a steroid that reduces inflammation and is prescribed to treat conditions such as autoimmune diseases. It produces aldosterone like effects in the kidney. Predict the effect of prednisone treatment on blood pressure and blood volume
A) none of the choices are correct
B) decrease blood pressure, dec blood volume
C) dec blood pressure, inc blood volume
D) increase blood pressure, inc blood volume
E) inc blood pressure, Dec blood volume
D) increase blood pressure, inc blood volume
Whole blood can be divided into two portions: the cellular portion and the plasma portion.
Plasma donation centers often pay $50-$75 per donation. During a plasma-only donation, blood is removed from the donor’s arm and run through an automated process that removes the plasma portion from the blood. The remaining red blood cells and platelets are then returned to the donor’s arm with a small amount of saline to maintain the overall volume. This allows a donor to give more plasma than they would during a regular blood donation and to donate more frequently. The ideal blood type for plasma donations are AB+ and AB-. AB is the universal blood type and can be given to patients with any blood type. Plasma is critical in trauma care, where there’s often not enough time to test blood type prior to transfusion. Which of the following is true regarding blood plasma?
A. Proteins that are found in the plasma portion of the blood include albumin, fibrinogen and globulins
B. The plasma portion of the blood contains platelets
C. The plasma portion of the blood is a larger component of the blood than the cellular portion of the blood.
D. A and C only
E. A, B and C
D. A and C only
The liver produces albumin and then secretes it into the bloodstream. Albumin makes up 50% of the proteins found in your plasma. Hypoalbuminemia happens when your body doesn’t produce enough of the albumin protein, or when you lose too much albumin in your urine or stool. Considering the functions of albumin in the body, what are some plausible effects of hypoalbuminemia?
A. Swelling (often in the feet or legs)
B. Disruption of hormone transport
C. Ascites, which is the abnormal build-up of fluid in the abdomen.
D. A and C only
E. A, B and C
E. A, B and C
When comparing pressures in the vascular system, which has the lowest pressure (in mmHg)?
A. Capillaries
B. Veins
C. Arteries
D. Arterioles
E. None of the above. Pressures the same in all of the blood vessels
B. Veins
In the heart, norepinephrine and epinephrine
A. usually bind to the M2 receptor
B. decrease cardiac output
C. causes K+ to exit cardiac myocytes, resulting in membrane hyperpolarization
D. facilitate the opening of Na+ and Ca++ slow channels
E. none of the above
D. facilitate the opening of Na+ and Ca++ slow channels
In the course of an average lifetime, your heart is likely to beat more than two and a half billion times, without ever pausing to rest. The strength of beating can be altered by
A. autonomic inputs
B. endocrine (hormonal) inputs
C. increased stretch (longer sarcomere length, up to a limit)
D. A and C only
E. A, B and C
E. A, B and C
Angina is a type of chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. Nitroglycerin is a compound which is given to people who have documented coronary artery blockage or suspected chest pain due to angina. Nitroglycerin causes the relaxation of vascular smooth muscles, causing arteriolar and venous dilatation. It increases blood flow to the myocardium and reduces cardiac preload and afterload, decreasing myocardial wall stress and ameliorating anginal symptoms. Nitroglycerin forms free radical nitric oxide (NO) which activates guanylate cyclase, resulting in an increase of guanosine 3’5’ monophosphate (cyclic GMP) in smooth muscle and other tissues.
Which of the following can bring about arteriole vasodilation?
A. Active hyperemia
B. Epinephrine binding to β2 adrenergic receptors
C. Flow autoregulation
D. A, B and C
E. Only A and C
D. A, B and C
The effects of exercise on the cardiovascular system may include
A. a significant increase in cardiac output
B. a significant increase in systolic arterial pressure
C. a relatively stable diastolic arterial pressure
D. A and B only
E. A, B and C
E. A, B and C
The right and left coronary arteries supply blood to your heart. They’re the first branches off the aorta, which is the main artery in your body. These arteries and their branches supply all parts of the heart muscle with blood. They make it possible for your heart to beat and pump blood throughout your body. Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs if these arteries clog and don’t deliver enough blood to your heart. Which of the following is NOT necessary to calculate blood flow?
A. Hemoglobin saturation
B. Fluid viscosity
C. Inside radius of the blood vessel
D. Change in pressure
E. Resistance
A. Hemoglobin saturation
A heart murmur is a blowing, whooshing, or rasping sound heard during a heartbeat. The sound is caused by turbulent (rough) blood flow through the heart valves or near the heart. Murmurs can happen for many reasons, such as: when a valve does not close tightly and blood leaks backward (regurgitation) or when blood flows through a narrowed or stiff heart valve (stenosis). Regarding valves, which is NOT matched correctly?
A. Mitral (bicuspid) valve: between left atrium and left ventricle
B. Tricuspid valve: between right atrium and right ventricle
C. Aortic valve: between left ventricle and the aorta
D. Pulmonary valve: between right and pulmonary artery
E. None of the above. They are all correctly matched.
E. None of the above. They are all correctly matched.
There are advantages of having two completely separate systems: systemic and pulmonary circulation. We do not want too much pressure in our lungs. Fluid could leak out of blood vessels into the lungs, resulting in Pulmonary edema. With regard to pressure and volume, which of the following is matched incorrectly?
A. Diastolic pressure: the pressure observed between ventricular contractions
B. Afterload: left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP); is the amount of ventricular stretch at the end of diastole.
C. EDV (end diastolic volume): volume of blood in ventricle after filling phase
D. The atrial pressure: remains relatively low in comparison to the aortic pressure during the cardiac cycle
E. The ventricular pressure: increases significantly during the cardiac cycle
B. Afterload: left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP); is the amount of ventricular stretch at the end of diastole.
The vagus nerve is the longest of the cranial nerve. Its name is derived from Latin meaning “wandering”. True to its name, the vagus nerve wanders from the brain stem through organs in the neck, thorax and abdomen. The vagus nerve is responsible for the regulation of internal organ functions, such as heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rate, as well as certain reflex actions, such as coughing, sneezing, swallowing, and vomiting, and vasomotor activity. Vasomotor refers to actions upon a blood vessel which alter its diameter. It can refer to vasodilator action and vasoconstrictor action.
In the heart,
A. if the vagus nerve is overactive, it can lead to stronger contractions faster heart rate and increased blood pressure
B. a substance released by the vagus nerve is acetylcholine
C. drugs that inhibit the muscarinic receptors (anticholinergics, such as atropine) inhibit the action of the vagus nerve on the heart.
D. A and B only
E. B and C only
E. B and C only
Neuroscientist Otto Loewi first demonstrated that nerves secrete substances called neurotransmitters. In his experiment, Loewi electrically stimulated the vagus nerve of a frog heart. Then he took the fluid from the heart and transferred it to a second frog heart without a vagus nerve and observed the response. Loewi described the substance released by the vagus nerve as vagusstoff (translated from German as “Vagus Substance”). It refers to the substance released by stimulation of the vagus nerve .
Which of the following is (are) mostly likely to be true?
A. the response Loewi observed in the second frog heart was bradycardia
B. vagusstoff is the neurotransmitter acetylcholine
C. vagusstoff is the neurotransmitter norepinephrine
D. the response Loewi observed in the second frog heart was tachycardia
E. both A and B
E. both A and B
The amount of blood ejected from the left ventricle over a minute be calculated using which information?
A. stroke volume and heart rate
B. stoke volume and circulating blood volume
C. change in aortic pressure and total peripheral resistance
D. heart rate and total plasma volume
E. none of the above
A. stroke volume and heart rate
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more of the deep veins in the body, usually in the legs. Deep vein thrombosis can cause leg pain or swelling. A blood clot in the legs can also develop if you don’t move for a long time. For example, you might not move a lot when traveling a long distance or when you’re on bed rest. DVT can be serious because blood clots in the veins can break loose. The clots can then travel through the bloodstream and get stuck in the lungs, blocking blood flow and thereby causing a pulmonary embolism (PE). PE can cause a lack of blood flow that leads to lung tissue damage and low blood oxygen levels that can also damage other organs in the body. A PE, particularly a large PE or many clots, can quickly cause serious life-threatening problems and even death.
Which of the following play a major role in normal blood clotting?
A. Collagen
B. Fibrinogen
C. Platelets
D. A, B and C
E. A and C only
D. A, B and C
Leaving the left ventricle of the heart, the blood passes through the____and then enters the _____
A. Semilunar valve, aorta
B. AV valve, superior vena cava
C. AV valve, aorta
D. AV valve, left pulmonary veins
E. Semilunar valve, pulmonary arteries
A. Semilunar valve, aorta
Which is the proper order of the components of the electrical activity of the heart?
A. AV node —SA node—Bundle of His—Purkinje fibers
B. SA node —Bundle of His — AV node—Purkinje fibers
C. SA node —AV node — Bundle of His—Purkinje fibers
D. Purkinje fibers —SA node —AV node—atria
E. AV node — atria—Purkinje fibers —Bundle of His
C. SA node —AV node — Bundle of His—Purkinje fibers
Depolarization in the cardiac muscle results from
A. An influx of sodium, and a decrease in K+ permeability
B. Direct simulation by the thoracic nerves
C. The opening of funny channels
D. An influx of calcium and an increase in K+ permeability
E. The contraction of the SA node
A. An influx of sodium, and a decrease in K+ permeability
What is mainly responsible for the delay between the atrial and ventricular contractions?
A. the shallow slope of the SA node pacemaker potentials
B. the slow action potential conduction velocity of AV node cells
C. the slow action potential conduction velocity along atrial muscle cell membranes
D. greater parasympathetic nerve firing to the ventricles than to the atria
E. the slow action potential conduction in the Purkinje network of the ventricles
B. the slow action potential conduction velocity of AV node cells
Which of the following correctly describe events during an action potential in the SA node?
A. the initial, gradual rise in membrane potential is due in part to the continuous decrease in permeability to potassium.
B. the influx of calcium both initiates and sustains the depolarization phase of the action potential
C. there is a very sudden rise in the peak of the action potential which is due to the opening of Na+ channels
D. A and B only
E. A, B and C
D. A and B only
The exchange of substances across capillary walls is affected by
A. the rate and amount of blood flow
B. the diffusion of substances along their concentration gradient
C. the pressure of the blood in comparison to the pressure of the interstitial fluid
D. A and B only
E. A, B and C
E. A, B and C
Which of the following pairs an ECG phase with the corresponding cardiac event?
A. P wave: depolarization of the ventricles
B. P wave: depolarization of the AV node
C. QRS wave: repolarization of the ventricles
D.T wave: repolarization of the atria
E. None of the above
E. None of the above
Long QT syndrome is a heart rhythm condition that can potentially cause fast, chaotic heartbeats. These rapid heartbeats might trigger a sudden fainting spell (syncope). Long QT syndrome can arise from mutations that tend to lengthen the QT interval (as recorded on an ECG), which delays the repolarization of the heart. Which of the following is a plausible explanation for how a mutation could cause long QT syndrome?
A. The mutation could prolong the duration of the ventricular action potential
B. The mutation could disrupt atrial depolarization, and manifest as multiple P waves on an ECG
C. The mutation could cause bradycardia (slow heart rate)
D. All of the above
E. None of the above
A. The mutation could prolong the duration of the ventricular action potential
Which of the following correctly describe events during an action potential in the cardiac muscle?
A. The initial, gradual rise in membrane potential is due in part to the continuous increase in permeability to potassium.
B. The rapid influx of calcium is responsible for the initial depolarization phase of the action potential
C. There is a very sudden rise to the threshold level, which is due to the opening of K+ channels
D. Sodium channels remain open for a fairly long time. This accounts for the plateau in the action potential
E. None of the above
E. None of the above
At the arteriole end of a capillary bed
A. the pressure of the blood is lower that the pressure of the interstitial fluid
B. the pressure of the blood is higher than the pressure of the interstitial fluid
C. water and small solutes are being forces into the capillaries due to hydrostatic pressure
D. fluid is being pulled back into the blood
E. None of the above
B. the pressure of the blood is higher than the pressure of the interstitial fluid
Lymphoma is a broad term for cancer that begins in cells of the lymph system. The two main types are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Hodgkin lymphoma can often be cured. In addition to cancer, abnormal lymph system functioning can cause other problems. What will be the likely long-term effect of blocking the lymphatic vessels associated with a capillary bed?
A. more fluid entering the venous capillaries
B. fewer proteins leaking out of the blood to enter the interstitial fluid
C. the accumulation of more fluid in the interstitial areas
D. the area of the blockage becoming abnormally small
E. none of the above
C. the accumulation of more fluid in the interstitial areas
As red blood cells break down glucose for energy, they produce BPG (2,3, biphosphoglycerate). BPG binds to hemoglobin and increases its ability to release oxygen. Increased levels of BPG__
A. would have no effect on the oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve
B. would cause the oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve to shift right
C. would cause the oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve to shift in the same direction as an increase in pH
D. would cause the oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve to shift left
E. would cause the oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve to shift in the same direction as a decrease in temperature
B. would cause the oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve to shift right
Air moves into the mammalian lung in response to _______ and oxygen moves from the alveoli into the blood in response to _____________
A. lower than atmospheric pressure in the alveoli; lower partial pressure of oxygen in the blood than in the alveoli
B. negative pressure in the abdominal cavity; active transport
C. negative pressure in the intrapleural space; higher partial pressure of oxygen in the alveoli than in the blood
D. lower volume in the lung than in the air; higher partial pressure of oxygen in the atmosphere than in the lung
E. lower concentration in the alveoli than in the air; opening of voltage gated channels
A. lower than atmospheric pressure in the alveoli; lower partial pressure of oxygen in the blood than in the alveoli
Which is the proper sequence of events during exhalation?
A. diaphragm moves down (contracts), rib cage expands, increase in lung volume, decrease in pressure
B. diaphragm relaxes (moves up), rib cage gets smaller, decrease in lung volume, increase in pressure
C. diaphragm flattens, rib cage expands, increase in lung volume, decrease in pressure
D. external intercostal muscles contract, ribs pulled upward, decrease in lung volume, decrease in pressure
E. None of the above
B. diaphragm relaxes (moves up), rib cage gets smaller, decrease in lung volume, increase in pressure
What are two different contributions to lowering your pH when it has become too high?
A. Increasing ventilation rate; secreting more H+ into stomach
B. Increasing depth and rate of breathing; losing more bicarbonate ions in urine
C. Decreasing intestinal motility; increasing insulin levels
D. Decreasing ventilation rate; losing more bicarbonate ions in urine
E. Reabsorbing more sodium from the nephron while producing more urine.
D. Decreasing ventilation rate; losing more bicarbonate ions in urine
Which of the following is (are) true with regard to breathing?
A. The diaphragm and intercostal muscles contract when stimulated by afferent nerves
B. Inspiration is initiated by action potentials from the DRG
C. The vagus nerve mainly innervates the diaphragm
D. The VRG is located in the pons, in front of the DRG
E. All of the above
B. Inspiration is initiated by action potentials from the DRG
Which of the following corresponds to the point at which Pip= -7mmHg during normal breathing?
A. the peak of inspiration
B. when Patm=Palv
C. when the chest wall is no longer expanding
D. A and B only
E. A, B and C
E. A, B and C
Control of blood gases is important for maintaining homeostasis. With regard to blood gas control, choose the statement that is false.
A. Peripheral chemoreceptors respond to H+, O2 and CO2 changes in arterial blood
B. Control centers in medulla oblongata and pons adjust rate and depth of breathing to compensate for changes in blood gases
C. Central chemoreceptors respond to CO2 changes in the extracellular fluid in the brain
D. Respiratory acidosis can lead to increased PCO2 in the plasma
E. All of the above are true
E. All of the above are true
Which of the following occurs when your diaphragm contracts?
A. Intra-abdominal pressure increases
B. Diameter of bronchioles decreases
C. Intrapleural pressure drops (from -4 mmHg to -7mm Hg)
D. Alveolar pressure rises from zero to plus 7 mmHg
E. Diameter of trachea increases
C. Intrapleural pressure drops (from -4 mmHg to -7mm Hg)
The partial pressure gradients established between the alveolar air and the pulmonary capillary blood induce passive diffusion of O2 and CO2. What is the partial pressure of O2 and CO2 in the alveolar sacs and which way does each gas diffuse in the lungs?
A. PO2= 100; PCO2=40; O2 diffuses into the blood, CO2 diffuses out of the blood
B. PO2= 160; PCO2=46; O2 diffuses into the blood, CO2 diffuses out of the blood
C. PO2= 40; PCO2=46; O2 diffuses out of the blood, CO2 diffuses into the blood
D. PO2= 120; PCO2=46; O2 diffuses out of the blood, CO2 diffuses into the blood
E. None of the above
A. PO2= 100; PCO2=40; O2 diffuses into the blood, CO2 diffuses out of the blood
Arterial PCO2 is the most important input regulating the magnitude of ventilation under resting conditions. An increase in arterial PCO2 stimulates chemoreceptors to initiate an increase in ventilation so that the excess CO2 is exhaled into the atmosphere. But the central chemoreceptors, located in the medulla, do not monitor CO2 itself. Rather, these chemoreceptors are directly stimulated by H+ concentrations in the brain ECF (extracelluar fluid) which surrounds them. However, unlike CO2, H+ cannot readily permeate the blood brain barrier (BBB), so H+ in the blood plasma cannot gain access to the central chemoreceptors. Considering these circumstances, how can the central chemoreceptors be stimulated by H+?
A. High levels of CO2 in the blood react with excess alveolar oxygen, which increases H+ transport to the ECF
B. High levels of CO2 in the blood cause it to diffuse down its concentration gradient and across the BBB, where it reacts with water to produce carbonic acid, which dissociates to bicarbonate and H+
C. Hypoxic levels of O2 in the alveolar air decrease the rate and depth of breathing, which stimulates the baroreceptive reflex, bypassing the need for H+ to bind to central chemoreceptors.
D. High levels of CO2 induce metabolic alkalosis, which greatly increases the blood pH, creating an extremely high concentration of H+ which enables it to cross the BBB and react with chemoreceptors.
E. None of the above
B. High levels of CO2 in the blood cause it to diffuse down its concentration gradient and across the BBB, where it reacts with water to produce carbonic acid, which dissociates to bicarbonate and H+
Pleurisy is a condition that causes chest pain that worsens during breathing. It results from inflammation of the membranes that surround the lungs and can be caused by a viral infection. Which of the following are functions of the pleural membranes and/or pleural cavity?
A. The pleural cavity transmits movements of the ribs muscles to the lungs, particularly during heavy breathing
B. The fluid filled space of the pleural cavity allows the lungs to move without abrasion
C. Negative pressure in intra-pleural space keeps lungs in contact with chest wall
D. Both A and B
E. A, B and C
E. A, B and C