1.
This layer of the heart allows it to act as a pump.
Correct Answer
B. Myocardium
Explanation
The myocardium is the middle layer of the heart and is responsible for the heart's pumping action. It is composed of specialized cardiac muscle cells that contract and relax to pump blood throughout the body. The myocardium is thicker in the left ventricle, which pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the body, compared to the right ventricle, which pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs. This layer's contraction creates the force necessary to propel blood through the circulatory system, making it the primary layer that allows the heart to act as a pump.
2.
This sling-like structure supports the heart
Correct Answer
A. Pericardium
Explanation
The pericardium is a sling-like structure that surrounds and supports the heart. It is a double-layered sac made up of a tough outer layer called the fibrous pericardium and a delicate inner layer called the serous pericardium. The pericardium helps to protect the heart from external trauma and infection, and it also anchors the heart in place within the chest cavity. Additionally, it contains a small amount of fluid that lubricates the heart's movements, reducing friction as it beats.
3.
This is the hardest working cardiac chamber and therefore has the thickest myocardium.
Correct Answer
D. Left ventricle
Explanation
The left ventricle is the correct answer because it is the hardest working cardiac chamber. It pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the body, which requires more forceful contractions and a thicker myocardium. The left ventricle has a thicker myocardium compared to the other chambers to accommodate this increased workload.
4.
The right ventricle pumps to the
Correct Answer
C. Pulmonary artery
Explanation
The right ventricle pumps blood to the pulmonary artery. The pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs, where oxygen is added and carbon dioxide is removed. From the lungs, oxygenated blood returns to the heart through the pulmonary veins and enters the left atrium. The left atrium then pumps the blood to the left ventricle, which in turn pumps it out to the rest of the body through the aorta.
5.
Vessel(s) that carry(ies) blood from the pulmonary capillaries to the left atrium
Correct Answer
C. Pulmonary veins
Explanation
The pulmonary veins are the vessels that carry blood from the pulmonary capillaries to the left atrium. After the blood is oxygenated in the lungs, it is collected by the pulmonary veins and transported back to the heart. From the left atrium, the blood is then pumped into the left ventricle and subsequently to the rest of the body. The pulmonary veins play a crucial role in returning oxygenated blood to the heart and facilitating the circulation of oxygen throughout the body.
6.
The aorta receives blood from the
Correct Answer
D. Left ventricle
Explanation
The aorta receives blood from the left ventricle. The left ventricle is responsible for pumping oxygenated blood from the lungs to the rest of the body. Once the blood is pumped out of the left ventricle, it enters the aorta, which is the largest artery in the body. From the aorta, the oxygenated blood is distributed to all the organs and tissues, providing them with the necessary oxygen and nutrients for proper functioning.
7.
Blood flows from the right atrium through this atriovascular valve to the right ventricle
Correct Answer
D. Tricuspid
Explanation
The correct answer is tricuspid because the tricuspid valve is located between the right atrium and the right ventricle of the heart. It allows blood to flow from the atrium into the ventricle while preventing backflow. The bicuspid (also known as mitral) valve is found on the left side of the heart, not the right. The pulmonic valve is located between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery, while the tricuspid valve is between the atrium and ventricle.
8.
Which of the following structures "sees" unoxygenated blood?
Correct Answer
C. Pulmonary artery
Explanation
The pulmonary artery is the structure that "sees" unoxygenated blood. It carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs, where it picks up oxygen and returns to the heart through the pulmonary veins. The aorta carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body, while the left ventricle is responsible for pumping oxygenated blood to the aorta. Therefore, the correct answer is the pulmonary artery.
9.
Which of the following "sees" oxygenated blood?
Correct Answer
B. Pulmonary veins
Explanation
The pulmonary veins "see" oxygenated blood. The pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the heart. Once the blood is oxygenated in the lungs, it is returned to the left atrium of the heart through the pulmonary veins. From there, it is pumped out to the rest of the body to supply oxygen to the tissues and organs.
10.
Chordae tendineae are not associated with this valve
Correct Answer
A. Aortic
Explanation
Chordae tendineae are fibrous cords that attach to the valves of the heart, specifically the mitral and tricuspid valves. They help to anchor the valves and prevent them from prolapsing or leaking. The aortic valve, on the other hand, does not have chordae tendineae associated with it. Instead, it has three semilunar cusps that open and close to regulate blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta. Therefore, the correct answer is aortic.
11.
With which of the following is "lubb-dupp" associated?
Correct Answer
C. Closing of heart valves
Explanation
The term "lubb-dupp" is a representation of the sound that is heard during the cardiac cycle. The first sound, "lubb," is associated with the closing of the atrioventricular (AV) valves, specifically the mitral and tricuspid valves. This sound occurs when the ventricles contract and the pressure inside the ventricles increases, causing the AV valves to close. The second sound, "dupp," is associated with the closing of the semilunar valves, specifically the aortic and pulmonary valves. This sound occurs when the ventricles relax and the pressure inside the ventricles decreases, causing the semilunar valves to close. Therefore, the correct answer is "closing of heart valves."
12.
Which of the following supplies oxygenated blood to the heart muscle?
Correct Answer
A. Coronary arteries
Explanation
The coronary arteries supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle. These arteries branch off from the aorta and wrap around the heart, delivering oxygen and nutrients to the cardiac muscle tissue. Without the coronary arteries, the heart would not receive the necessary oxygen and nutrients to function properly, leading to heart muscle damage or even a heart attack.
13.
Where does the cardiac action potential (cardiac impulse) normally originate?
Correct Answer
D. SA node
Explanation
The SA node, or sinoatrial node, is the natural pacemaker of the heart and is responsible for initiating the cardiac action potential. It is located in the right atrium near the opening of the superior vena cava. The SA node generates electrical impulses that spread throughout the atria, causing them to contract and pump blood into the ventricles. From the SA node, the electrical signal travels to the AV node, then to the bundle of His, and finally to the Purkinje fibers, which distribute the impulse to the ventricles, resulting in their contraction.
14.
The pacemaker of the heart is located in the upper wall of the
Correct Answer
A. Right atrium
Explanation
The pacemaker of the heart, known as the sinoatrial (SA) node, is responsible for initiating the electrical signals that regulate the heart's rhythm. It is located in the upper wall of the right atrium. From the SA node, the electrical signals spread throughout the atria and then to the ventricles, causing them to contract and pump blood. Therefore, the correct answer is right atrium.
15.
Referring to the ECG, the P wave represents
Correct Answer
C. Atrial depolarization
Explanation
The correct answer is atrial depolarization. In an electrocardiogram (ECG), the P wave represents the depolarization of the atria, which is the electrical stimulation that causes the atria to contract. This wave indicates the initiation of the cardiac cycle and is followed by the QRS complex, which represents ventricular depolarization. Therefore, the P wave specifically represents the electrical activity in the atria, not the ventricles.
16.
Referring the the ECG, the QRS complex represents
Correct Answer
D. Ventricular depolarization
Explanation
The correct answer is ventricular depolarization. The QRS complex on an ECG represents the electrical activity that occurs during the depolarization of the ventricles. This depolarization leads to the contraction of the ventricles, which is responsible for pumping blood out of the heart and into the rest of the body. Therefore, the QRS complex is a crucial component in assessing the electrical and mechanical function of the heart.
17.
This structure connects the cusps of the AV valves to the ventricles
Correct Answer
D. Chordae tendinae
Explanation
The correct answer is chordae tendinae. Chordae tendinae are fibrous cords that connect the cusps of the atrioventricular (AV) valves (mitral and tricuspid valves) to the papillary muscles in the ventricles. These tendons help to anchor the AV valves and prevent them from prolapsing into the atria when the ventricles contract. They play a crucial role in maintaining proper valve function and preventing backflow of blood between the chambers of the heart.
18.
These conducting fibers rapidly spread the electrical signal throughout the ventricles
Correct Answer
B. Purkinje fibers
Explanation
The Purkinje fibers are specialized conducting fibers located in the ventricles of the heart. They are responsible for rapidly spreading the electrical signal generated by the SA node throughout the ventricles, ensuring coordinated and efficient contractions. These fibers have a unique ability to transmit electrical impulses quickly, allowing for the synchronized contraction of the ventricles and efficient pumping of blood.
19.
Which of the following is least related to the mitral valve?
Correct Answer
C. Semilunar
Explanation
Semilunar valves are located in the arteries leaving the heart, while the mitral valve is found in the left side of the heart between the left atrium and left ventricle. The mitral valve is responsible for preventing the backflow of blood from the left ventricle to the left atrium during ventricular contraction. On the other hand, semilunar valves, such as the aortic and pulmonary valves, are responsible for preventing the backflow of blood from the arteries back into the ventricles. Therefore, semilunar valves are least related to the mitral valve among the given options.
20.
All of the following are electrical terms except
Correct Answer
A. Sarcomere
Explanation
The term "sarcomere" is not an electrical term. It refers to the basic structural unit of a muscle fiber. On the other hand, "depolarization," "action potential," and "repolarization" are all electrical terms that describe different phases of the electrical activity in cells, particularly in nerve cells and muscle cells.
21.
Which of the following must precede ventricular contraction?
Correct Answer
C. Ventricular depolarization
Explanation
Ventricular depolarization must precede ventricular contraction because it is the electrical activation of the ventricles, which triggers the contraction of the ventricular muscle fibers. This depolarization is responsible for the initiation of the cardiac action potential, leading to the contraction of the ventricles and the subsequent pumping of blood out of the heart. Therefore, without ventricular depolarization, there would be no signal for the ventricles to contract and no blood would be pumped out of the heart.
22.
Complete the sequence: blood flows from the right atrium to the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery to the
Correct Answer
C. Pulmonary capillaries
Explanation
The sequence provided represents the flow of blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs. After flowing from the right atrium to the right ventricle, the blood is then pumped into the pulmonary artery, which carries it to the lungs. In the lungs, the blood is oxygenated and carbon dioxide is removed through the process of respiration. This exchange of gases occurs in the pulmonary capillaries, which are tiny blood vessels surrounding the alveoli in the lungs. Therefore, the correct answer is pulmonary capillaries.
23.
What event causes the pulmonic valve to open?
Correct Answer
B. An increase in the pressure within the right ventricle
Explanation
The pulmonic valve is responsible for regulating blood flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery. When there is an increase in pressure within the right ventricle, it causes the pulmonic valve to open. This allows the blood to be pumped out of the right ventricle and into the pulmonary artery, which then carries the blood to the lungs for oxygenation. Therefore, an increase in pressure within the right ventricle is the event that causes the pulmonic valve to open.
24.
Which layer of the heart has actin, myosin, and intercalated discs?
Correct Answer
A. Myocardium
Explanation
The correct answer is myocardium. The myocardium is the middle layer of the heart that is responsible for the contraction and relaxation of the heart muscle. It contains specialized cardiac muscle cells that contain actin and myosin, which are proteins involved in muscle contraction. Intercalated discs are also found in the myocardium, which allow for communication and coordination between the cardiac muscle cells. The endocardium is the innermost layer of the heart, the epicardium is the outermost layer, and the pericardium is the protective sac that surrounds the heart.
25.
The pericardium is part of the
Correct Answer
C. Epicardium
Explanation
The pericardium is a protective sac that surrounds the heart. It is composed of two layers: the fibrous pericardium and the serous pericardium. The serous pericardium is further divided into two layers, the parietal layer and the visceral layer, also known as the epicardium. The epicardium is the outermost layer of the heart and is responsible for protecting the heart and providing a smooth surface for the heart to beat against. Therefore, the correct answer is epicardium.
26.
The mitral and the bicuspid valves
Correct Answer
D. Are the same valves
27.
The pulmonic and aortic valves
Correct Answer
D. Are semilunar valves
Explanation
The given answer states that the pulmonic and aortic valves are semilunar valves. Semilunar valves are located between the ventricles and the major arteries leaving the heart. They consist of three cusps or leaflets that open and close to regulate blood flow. These valves prevent the backflow of blood from the arteries into the ventricles. Therefore, the explanation suggests that the pulmonic and aortic valves are semilunar valves, which is the correct answer.
28.
Complete the sequence: blood flows from the pulmonary capillaries to the pulmonary veins to the left atrium to the left ventricle to the
Correct Answer
C. Aorta
Explanation
The correct answer is aorta. This is because the sequence provided is describing the flow of blood through the circulatory system, specifically the pathway of oxygenated blood. After flowing from the left ventricle, the blood enters the aorta, which is the largest artery in the body. From the aorta, the oxygenated blood is distributed to the rest of the body, supplying oxygen and nutrients to the tissues and organs. Therefore, the aorta is the next logical step in the sequence.
29.
The atrioventricular node (AV node)
Correct Answer
D. Delays the electrical signal coming from the atria into the ventricles
Explanation
The AV node is responsible for delaying the electrical signal coming from the atria into the ventricles. This delay allows the atria to fully contract and empty their blood into the ventricles before the ventricles contract. This ensures efficient blood flow and prevents the ventricles from contracting prematurely. The AV node acts as a gatekeeper, controlling the timing of the electrical signals and coordinating the contraction of the atria and ventricles.
30.
The purpose of this structure is to momentarily delay the spread of the signal from the atrium to the ventricles
Correct Answer
D. AV node
Explanation
The AV node is responsible for momentarily delaying the spread of the electrical signal from the atrium to the ventricles. This delay allows the atria to contract and empty their blood into the ventricles before the ventricles contract. This delay is important for efficient pumping of blood and ensures that the atria and ventricles are working in a coordinated manner. The AV node acts as a gatekeeper, controlling the timing of the electrical signal and ensuring proper heart function.
31.
Which of the following is an electrical event?
Correct Answer
D. Depolarization
Explanation
Depolarization is an electrical event that occurs in the cells of the heart and nerves. It refers to the change in electrical charge across the cell membrane, leading to the generation of an action potential. This electrical event is crucial for the transmission of signals and coordination of various physiological processes in the body. "lubb-dupp" refers to the sounds produced by the closing of the heart valves and is not directly related to an electrical event. Actin and myosin interaction is a mechanical event involved in muscle contraction. A murmur is an abnormal sound heard during the heartbeat and is not an electrical event.
32.
Which of the following is a result of ventricular contraction?
Correct Answer
C. Blood is pumped into the pulmonary artery and the aorta
Explanation
During ventricular contraction, also known as systole, the heart muscles contract, causing the pressure inside the ventricles to increase. This increased pressure forces the AV valves to close, preventing the backflow of blood into the atria. At the same time, the increased pressure also opens the semilunar valves, allowing blood to be pumped out of the ventricles and into the pulmonary artery and the aorta. Therefore, the correct answer is "Blood is pumped into the pulmonary artery and the aorta."
33.
Under what condition is blood most likely to flow "backward" (e.g., from the left ventricle back into the left atrium)?
Correct Answer
C. An insufficient mitral valve
Explanation
When the mitral valve is insufficient, it means that it is not able to close properly, allowing blood to flow backward from the left ventricle back into the left atrium. This can occur due to various reasons such as damage to the valve, infection, or congenital defects. When the mitral valve is insufficient, it leads to a condition known as mitral regurgitation, where blood leaks back into the left atrium instead of flowing forward into the aorta. This can result in symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and fluid buildup in the lungs.
34.
What are ventricles "doing" during atrial contraction?
Correct Answer
C. Relaxing
Explanation
During atrial contraction, the ventricles are relaxing. This is because the atria contract to push blood into the ventricles, and during this time, the ventricles are in a relaxed state, allowing them to receive the blood from the atria. Once the ventricles are filled with blood, they will contract to pump the blood into the great vessels, but during atrial contraction, their main function is to relax and receive the blood.
35.
The Purkinje Fibers
Correct Answer
C. Conduct electrical signals throughout the ventricles
Explanation
The Purkinje fibers are specialized cardiac muscle fibers that conduct electrical signals throughout the ventricles of the heart. These fibers play a crucial role in coordinating the contraction of the ventricles, ensuring that blood is efficiently pumped out of the heart. They do not open or close valves, but rather help in the synchronization of the heart's electrical activity, allowing for proper pumping and circulation of blood.
36.
Which cavity first receives unoxygenated blood from the vena cava?
Correct Answer
D. Right atrium
Explanation
The right atrium is the correct answer because it is the first cavity to receive unoxygenated blood from the vena cava. The vena cava is a large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the body back to the heart. The blood enters the right atrium and then flows into the right ventricle, where it is pumped to the lungs to receive oxygen.
37.
What is the name of the valve that prevents backflow of blood into the right atrium when the right ventricle contracts?
Correct Answer
D. Tricuspid valve
Explanation
The tricuspid valve is the correct answer because it is located between the right atrium and the right ventricle of the heart. It prevents the backflow of blood into the right atrium when the right ventricle contracts by closing its three leaflets. This ensures that blood flows in one direction, from the right atrium to the right ventricle, and then to the pulmonary artery.
38.
What is the case of the heart sounds "lubb-dupp"?
Correct Answer
A. Closing of the heart valves
Explanation
The correct answer is "closing of the heart valves". The heart sounds "lubb-dupp" are produced by the closing of the heart valves. The first sound "lubb" is caused by the closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves at the beginning of ventricular systole. The second sound "dupp" is caused by the closure of the aortic and pulmonary valves at the end of ventricular systole. These sounds can be heard with a stethoscope and are important indicators of the normal functioning of the heart.
39.
Which of the following is not true of the heart?
Correct Answer
D. The pericardium is composed of actin and myosin
40.
Which of the following is least descriptive of the myocardium?
Correct Answer
D. Thicker in the left atrium than the right ventricle
Explanation
The myocardium is the muscular tissue of the heart that contracts to pump blood. It is composed of cardiac muscle, which is made up of actin and myosin arranged in sarcomeres. This description accurately reflects the composition of the myocardium. The other options discuss the thickness of the myocardium in different chambers of the heart. The correct answer states that the myocardium is thicker in the left atrium than the right ventricle, which is not accurate. The myocardium is actually thicker in the ventricles than the atria, and specifically thicker in the left ventricle compared to the right ventricle.
41.
Which of the following is a function of a valve?
Correct Answer
A. Regulates the direction of the flow of blood through the heart
Explanation
A valve is a mechanical device that controls the flow of a fluid, in this case, blood, through a specific pathway. It opens and closes to allow or prevent the flow of blood in a particular direction. By regulating the direction of blood flow through the heart, the valve ensures that blood moves efficiently and effectively throughout the cardiovascular system, preventing backflow and maintaining proper circulation.
42.
Which of the following is true of the structures of the electrical conduction system?
Correct Answer
B. In normal sinus rhythm, the electrical signal arises within the SA node
Explanation
In normal sinus rhythm, the electrical signal arises within the SA node. The SA node, also known as the sinoatrial node, is a cluster of cells located in the right atrium of the heart. It is often referred to as the natural pacemaker of the heart because it initiates the electrical impulses that regulate the heart's rhythm. These impulses then travel through the atria, causing them to contract and pump blood into the ventricles. From there, the electrical signal is conducted to the AV node, which acts as a gatekeeper, controlling the timing of the impulses as they pass from the atria to the ventricles. Therefore, the statement that in normal sinus rhythm, the electrical signal arises within the SA node is correct.
43.
Which of the following is least true of the aortic valve?
Correct Answer
C. Blood flows from the ventricle through this valve into the pulmonary artery
Explanation
The aortic valve does not allow blood to flow into the pulmonary artery. Instead, it allows blood to flow from the left ventricle into the aorta, which is the main artery of the body.
44.
An accumulation of excess fluid in the pericardial space
Correct Answer
A. Causes external compression of the heart
Explanation
Excess fluid in the pericardial space can lead to external compression of the heart. This compression can impede the normal functioning of the heart by restricting its ability to expand and contract properly. This can result in decreased cardiac output and potentially lead to symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and decreased exercise tolerance. Therefore, the presence of excess fluid in the pericardial space causing external compression of the heart is a plausible explanation for the given answer.
45.
A hole in the interventricular septum causes
Correct Answer
C. Blood to shunt from the left ventricle to the right ventricle
Explanation
A hole in the interventricular septum allows blood to flow from the left ventricle to the right ventricle. This results in a right-to-left shunt, where oxygenated blood from the left side of the heart mixes with deoxygenated blood from the right side. As a result, the mixed blood is pumped out to the body, leading to extreme cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin) due to inadequate oxygenation.
46.
Which group is incorrect?
Correct Answer
D. Structures that carry unoxygenated blood: right ventricle, venae cavae, pulmonary veins
47.
Which group is incorrect?
Correct Answer
D. Abnormal heart rates: tachycardia, bradycardia, normal sinus rhythm
Explanation
The group "abnormal heart rates: tachycardia, bradycardia, normal sinus rhythm" is incorrect because tachycardia and bradycardia are abnormal heart rates, while normal sinus rhythm represents a normal heart rate.
48.
Which group is incorrect?
Correct Answer
D. Parts of the conduction system: SA node, AV node, bundle of His, Purkinje fibers, medulla oblongata
Explanation
The group that is incorrect is "parts of the conduction system: SA node, AV node, bundle of His, Purkinje fibers, medulla oblongata." This is because the medulla oblongata is not a part of the conduction system of the heart. The medulla oblongata is a part of the brainstem that controls various involuntary functions, including the regulation of heart rate, but it is not directly involved in the conduction of electrical impulses within the heart.