Cardiovascular System Anatomy & Physiology

Which of the following accurately describes the function and pressure characteristics of the right side of the heart?

During which phase of the cardiac cycle do the semilunar valves open, allowing blood to flow into the aorta and pulmonary artery?

A patient's aortic valve fails to close properly. Which phase of the cardiac cycle is most directly affected by this malfunction?

If a blood sample is drawn from a vessel carrying blood away from the heart and towards the lungs, which type of vessel would it be?

After blood has been oxygenated in the lungs, through which vessels does it return to the heart?

What is the primary effect of positive inotropic agents on myocardial contractility?

Which of the following physiological responses is triggered by the baroreceptor reflex when blood pressure falls?

How does ventricular dilation affect the force needed to maintain ventricular pressure?

Which neurotransmitter, released by the vagus nerve, acts as a negative inotropic agent?

What is the effect of activating the parasympathetic system on heart rate, and what center primarily controls resting heart rate?

A medication induces negative chronotropy. Which physiological effect would be expected?

Which of the following correctly describes the effects of stimulating β2 receptors in the heart?

What is the primary function of β3 receptors in the heart, and why is this function important?

How do intercalated discs contribute to the coordinated function of myocardial cells?

During myocardial contraction, what happens to the I band within the sarcomere?

Which structural component directly facilitates the attachment of actin to myosin during cross-bridge cycling in myocardial cells?

A patient is diagnosed with a condition that reduces the number of transverse tubules in their myocardial cells. What direct effect would this have on myocardial function?

Which of the following best explains why myocardial cells synthesize more ATP than skeletal muscle cells?

What physiological mechanism primarily protects the heart from ischemia via connections between branches of the coronary circulation?

A cardiologist observes that a patient's ECG shows a prolonged PR interval. What aspect of cardiac function is most likely affected by this observation?

Following a myocardial infarction, a patient's ECG shows changes in the ST interval. What does this indicate about the patient's heart?

Which characteristic of cardiac cells allows the SA node to spontaneously generate action potentials?

What is the primary effect of beta-1 (β1) receptor stimulation on the heart?

A doctor administers a drug that affects the heart rate of a patient. What term describes this effect on heart rate?

A patient's ECG shows a consistent pattern of 50 beats per minute. Which component of the heart's conduction system is most likely setting this rate?

How does the autonomic nervous system influence the heart's function?

During a sudden drop in blood pressure, which physiological response would not be expected?

Which process describes the formation of new blood vessels from existing, larger vessels such as arterioles?

Which type of arterial vessel is best suited to withstand high pressure and recoil to maintain blood flow?

What is the primary mechanism by which substances move across the endothelial cell layer of capillaries?

Which of the following is not a typical function of the endothelium?

How does the muscle pump mechanism primarily aid venous return?

What is the most accurate description of turbulent blood flow?

Compared to arteries, veins exhibit which characteristic regarding vascular compliance?

A patient reports experiencing leg pain during exercise that is relieved by rest. Which of the following terms BEST describes this symptom?

Which risk factor is MOST closely associated with the development of peripheral artery disease (PAD)?

What Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) value indicates a normal result?

An ABI result of >1.30 may indicate what?

Which diagnostic test uses high-frequency sound waves and blood pressure cuffs to measure blood flow in the arteries of the legs?

Which of the following is a common indication for ordering an arterial duplex study?

During an arteriogram with run-off, contrast medium is injected through which artery?

A patient with PAD reports that their foot pain improves when dangling their foot off the bed. What is the MOST likely physiological explanation for this?

How does the pressure in the left side of the heart differ from that of the right side, and why is this difference significant?

During the cardiac cycle, if the mitral and tricuspid valves are open, which phase is occurring and what is its primary characteristic?

Following oxygenation in the lungs, blood returns to the heart via the pulmonary veins. Into which chamber of the heart does this blood flow?

A patient has a condition that impairs the contractility of the left ventricle. Which phase of the cardiac cycle will be MOST directly affected by this condition?

A researcher is studying a new medication designed to dilate blood vessels. If administered, which type of vessel would be MOST directly affected by this medication, and what would be the expected outcome?

Which function is associated with negative chronotropy?

What is the primary effect of stimulating β3 receptors in the heart?

How do intercalated discs contribute to the function of myocardial cells?

What is the role of ATP in myocardial cells?

What structural component facilitates the attachment of actin to myosin during cross-bridge cycling in myocardial cells?

A drug increases cardiac contractility by affecting the concentration of intracellular calcium. Which cellular structure is primarily responsible for the increase in readily-available calcium?

During myocardial contraction, the sarcomere changes by:

Which physiological mechanism primarily contributes to protecting the heart from ischemia through connections between branches of the coronary circulation?

A patient's ECG shows an abnormally prolonged PR interval. What aspect of cardiac function is most likely affected as a direct result of this?

Which best explains the property that allows all cardiac cells to spontaneously generate action potentials?

Which of the following is the MOST accurate description of how the autonomic nervous system influences heart function?

A drug is administered that affects the heart rate of a patient. What term BEST describes this effect on heart rate?

During an ECG reading, the time interval from the onset of atrial electrical activity to the onset of ventricular electrical activity can be measured. What segment represents that time interval?

Stimulation of which adrenergic receptors increases the heart rate (chronotropy) and force of myocardial contraction (inotropy)?

What triggers the influx of calcium into the myocardial cell from the interstitial fluid?

Cardiac output is a crucial indicator of heart function. Which calculation accurately determines cardiac output?

Ejection fraction is a key indicator of ventricular function. How is ejection fraction calculated?

A patient with peripheral artery disease (PAD) has a vascular bypass surgery. What indicates the MOST immediate need for a nurse to evaluate the surgical site?

Preload significantly affects cardiac output. Which factors primarily determine preload?

Following a peripheral vascular bypass, a patient reports new onset confusion and unilateral weakness. What is the priority nursing intervention?

A patient is being discharged after a peripheral vascular bypass. Which statement indicates an understanding of necessary lifestyle modifications?

Afterload influences the heart's ability to eject blood. Which condition would result from increased afterload?

How does an increase in blood viscosity primarily affect total peripheral resistance (TPR)?

A patient with PAD is scheduled for a peripheral vascular bypass. The patient asks why the surgery is necessary. What is the MOST appropriate explanation?

According to the Frank-Starling law of the heart, what is the direct relationship between myocardial stretch and the subsequent contraction?

A patient with hypertension is prescribed a medication that blocks the action of antidiuretic hormone (ADH). What effect would this medication have on the patient's blood pressure?

A patient who underwent a peripheral vascular bypass is prescribed aspirin and clopidogrel upon discharge. What is the primary reason for these medications?

Laplace's law describes the relationship between contractile force, chamber radius, and wall thickness. How does increased wall thickness affect contractile force, assuming chamber radius remains constant?

How do the right and left ventricles primarily maintain equal minute outputs despite variations in stroke volume?

Which of the following hormonal effects would be expected in a patient experiencing significant blood loss and a subsequent drop in blood pressure?

How do natriuretic peptides counteract the effects of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)?

A patient has poor venous return from their lower extremities. Which of the following mechanisms would be MOST effective in improving their venous pressure and circulation?

During an ECG, a prolonged QRS complex could indicate issues with what?

How does autoregulation maintain consistent blood flow to the coronary arteries despite fluctuations in mean arterial pressure (MAP)?

How do serial 12-lead ECGs aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of myocardial infarction (MI)?

Which of the following statements BEST describes the pressure differences between the systemic and pulmonary circulations and their functional implications?

During the cardiac cycle, what event is directly triggered by the completion of isovolumetric ventricular contraction?

A patient is diagnosed with a condition that impairs the ability of the left ventricle to generate sufficient pressure during systole. Which phase of the cardiac cycle is MOST directly affected by this condition?

Considering the flow of blood through the heart and lungs, if a blood sample is taken from the pulmonary artery, what characteristics would be expected?

Following oxygenation in the lungs, blood returns to the heart for systemic circulation. Through which vessels does this blood primarily flow?

What is the physiological significance of collateral arteries in the coronary circulation?

Rhythmicity, a key property of the heart's conduction system, can be described as what?

How does the autonomic nervous system affect the heart's function?

What BEST describes the significance of measuring the PR interval on an ECG?

Automaticity is a property of the heart that enables what?

How do β1 and β2 adrenergic receptors affect heart rate and myocardial contraction when stimulated?

A medication has a chronotropic effect on the heart. What specific aspect of cardiac function is being altered by this medication?

What does the QRS complex represent on a normal ECG?

How does an increase in blood vessel length most directly affect total peripheral resistance (TPR), assuming all other factors remain constant?

How do natriuretic peptides reduce blood pressure?

What is the primary mechanism by which autoregulation maintains consistent blood flow to organs despite changes in arterial pressure?

What is the primary mechanism by which myocardial stretch influences the force of contraction, according to the Frank-Starling law?

Which of the following best explains why venous pressure is significantly influenced by the skeletal muscle pump?

How does increased systemic vascular resistance (SVR) affect the left ventricle?

A patient's ECG shows changes over several readings, indicating myocardial ischemia. What specific information do serial 12-lead ECGs provide in this scenario?

According to Laplace's law, how does the thickness of the ventricular wall affect contractile force, assuming the chamber radius remains constant?

How does antidiuretic hormone (ADH) contribute to the regulation of blood pressure?

Considering the effects of vessel arrangement on resistance, which scenario would result in the lowest total resistance to blood flow?

How does calcium facilitate myocardial contraction after entering the cell?

A patient's ejection fraction is measured at 45%. What does this indicate about their ventricular function?

Which of the following is the most direct effect of epinephrine and norepinephrine on blood vessels?

If preload exceeds the physiological range, what is the expected effect on cardiac output?

What are the two primary factors that determine preload?

How do the right and left ventricles primarily maintain equal minute outputs despite variations in beat-to-beat stroke volume?

A patient with peripheral artery disease (PAD) reports experiencing calf pain during exercise that diminishes with rest. What is the MOST likely underlying cause of this phenomenon?

Which clinical scenario would necessitate the MOST immediate intervention based on Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) results?

An arterial duplex ultrasound reveals significant stenosis in the femoral artery. Which hemodynamic parameter would be MOST affected distal to the stenosis?

During an arteriogram with run-off, the interventional radiologist observes collateral vessel formation around a severely stenotic segment of the superficial femoral artery. What is the MOST likely long-term physiological effect of this adaptation?

Which pathophysiological process is the primary driver of peripheral artery disease (PAD)?

What is the primary reason that patients with PAD may experience relief from rest pain when dangling their foot off the bed?

If an Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) result is greater than 1.30, what condition is MOST likely affecting the accuracy of the reading?

A patient presents for an arterial duplex study due to suspected peripheral artery disease. The technician notes significant turbulence and a prominent pulsatile waveform during Doppler assessment. What is the MOST probable cause related to hemodynamics for these findings?

Which process describes the physiological response initiated by baroreceptors upon detecting a reduction in blood pressure?

What is the main difference between angiogenesis and arteriogenesis in the formation of new blood vessels?

How do elastic arteries differ structurally from muscular arteries, relating to their functional properties?

What mechanisms facilitate the movement of substances across the endothelial cell layer of capillaries?

Which function is primarily controlled by vasoactive chemicals synthesized and released by the endothelium?

How does the structure of veins support their function in returning blood to the heart, especially against gravity?

What is the underlying cause of turbulent blood flow, and how does it differ from laminar flow?

How does vascular compliance differ between veins and arteries, and what is the physiological significance of this difference?

Right heart function

Left heart function

Arteries

Capillaries

Veins

Collateral Arteries

Normal ECG

P Wave (ECG)

PR Interval (ECG)

QRS Complex (ECG)

ST Interval (ECG)

QT Interval (ECG)

Automaticity (Heart)

Stroke Volume

Determinants of Contractile Force

Inotropic Agents

Positive Inotropic Agents

Negative Inotropic Agents

Negative Chronotropy

Positive Chronotropy

Negative Inotropy

Positive Inotropy

β3 Receptors (Heart)

Intercalated Disks

Myocardial Contractility

Cross-Bridge Cycling

Angiogenesis

Arteriogenesis

Vasculogenesis

Elastic Arteries

Muscular Arteries

Endothelium Roles

Laminar vs. Turbulent Flow

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

Athero-

Sclerosis-

Intermittent Claudication

Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI)

Normal ABI Value

Arterial Duplex (Ultrasound)

Arteriogram

Pulmonary Circulation

Systemic Circulation

Cardiac Cycle

Atrial Systole

Ventricular Systole

Coronary Anastomoses

Coronary Collaterals Role

Automaticity

Rhythmicity

PR interval

ST Interval

Autonomic Nervous System (Heart)

β1 and β2 Stimulation

Adrenergic Receptor Function

β2 Receptor Effect on Coronary Blood Flow

Increased ATP Synthesis in Myocardial Cells

Transverse Tubules in Myocardial Cells

Myocardial Contraction

A Band During Myocardial Contraction

Cross-Bridge Cycling Steps

Myocardial Calcium Storage

Cardiac Output

Ejection Fraction

Preload

Afterload

Aortic Systolic Pressure

Frank-Starling Law

Laplace's Law (Cardiac)

Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)

Pulse Pressure

Total Peripheral Resistance

Blood Viscosity & Resistance

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

Natriuretic Peptides

Main Determinants of Venous Pressure

Autoregulation (Blood Flow)

Occlusion

Peripheral Vascular Bypass (PVB)

Arteries Requiring Bypass (Abdomen)

Post-PVB Complication

Post-PVB Medications

Heart Chambers

Heart Valves Function

Cardiac Cycle Overview

Atrial vs. Ventricular Action

Isovolumetric Phases

Coronary Collateral Arteries

Normal Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Rhythmicity (Heart)

β1 and β2 Stimulation (Heart)

Chronotropy

Myocardial Calcium Entry

Cardiac Output (CO)

Calculating CO

Preload Definition

Afterload Definition

Frank-Starling Law Summary

Laplace's Law Summary

Aldosterone

Venous Pressure Determinants

Capillary Exchange

Vein Characteristics

Vascular Compliance

PAD Risk Factors

Rest Pain (PAD)

Normal ABI

Arterial Duplex