Biology
Cardiovascular and Nervous System
981 Questions
Review the human cardiovascular system through these competitive exam practice questions. Key areas include heart valves, cardiac impulse pathways, and blood pressure regulation. A solid grasp of these fundamentals is crucial for science sections.
Heart anatomy and valvesCardiac impulse conductionBlood pressure mechanicsHeartbeat regulation
Cardiovascular and Nervous System Questions
Which Doppler ultrasound parameter is used to assess the risk of stroke in patients with carotid artery stenosis?
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Peak systolic velocity
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End-diastolic velocity
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Resistive index
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Internal carotid artery-to-common carotid artery ratio
D
Correct answer
Explanation
The internal carotid artery-to-common carotid artery ratio (ICA/CCA ratio) is used to assess the risk of stroke in patients with carotid artery stenosis. It is calculated as the ratio of the peak systolic velocity in the internal carotid artery to the peak systolic velocity in the common carotid artery. An elevated ICA/CCA ratio indicates increased risk of stroke.
Which Doppler ultrasound parameter is used to assess the severity of aortic stenosis?
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Peak systolic velocity
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End-diastolic velocity
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Resistive index
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Mean gradient
D
Correct answer
Explanation
The mean gradient is used to assess the severity of aortic stenosis. It is calculated as the difference between the peak systolic pressure gradient across the aortic valve and the end-diastolic pressure gradient. An elevated mean gradient indicates increased resistance to blood flow through the aortic valve, which may be caused by valvular thickening or calcification.
What is the target heart rate zone for moderate-intensity exercise?
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50-60% of maximum heart rate
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60-70% of maximum heart rate
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70-80% of maximum heart rate
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80-90% of maximum heart rate
B
Correct answer
Explanation
The target heart rate zone for moderate-intensity exercise is 60-70% of maximum heart rate.
What is the optimal heart rate zone for aerobic endurance training?
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60-70% of maximum heart rate
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70-80% of maximum heart rate
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80-90% of maximum heart rate
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90-100% of maximum heart rate
B
Correct answer
Explanation
The optimal heart rate zone for aerobic endurance training is 70-80% of maximum heart rate. This zone allows the body to work hard enough to improve endurance, but not so hard that it cannot recover.
What is the name of the medical device that helps patients with heart failure by assisting the heart in pumping blood?
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Pacemaker
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Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD)
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Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)
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Heart-Lung Machine
C
Correct answer
Explanation
Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) is a medical device that helps patients with heart failure by assisting the heart in pumping blood.
Which of the following is a common congenital heart defect in children?
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Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)
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Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)
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Tetralogy of Fallot
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All of the above
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), and Tetralogy of Fallot are all common congenital heart defects in children.
What is the most common acquired heart condition in children?
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Rheumatic Heart Disease
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Kawasaki Disease
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Myocarditis
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Pericarditis
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Rheumatic Heart Disease is the most common acquired heart condition in children, typically caused by a bacterial infection called Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus).
Which diagnostic test is commonly used to evaluate heart function in children?
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Echocardiogram
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Electrocardiogram (ECG)
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Chest X-ray
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Cardiac catheterization
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Echocardiogram is a non-invasive imaging test that uses ultrasound waves to visualize the heart and assess its structure and function.
Which of the following is a potential long-term complication of Tetralogy of Fallot?
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Pulmonary stenosis
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Aortic insufficiency
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Right ventricular hypertrophy
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All of the above
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Pulmonary stenosis, aortic insufficiency, and right ventricular hypertrophy are all potential long-term complications of Tetralogy of Fallot.
What is the survival rate for a heart attack?
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50%
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75%
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90%
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It depends on the severity of the heart attack
D
Correct answer
Explanation
The survival rate for a heart attack depends on the severity of the heart attack and the timeliness of treatment.
What is the medical term for a heart attack?
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Myocardial Infarction
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Stroke
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Atherosclerosis
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Arrhythmia
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Myocardial infarction is the medical term for a heart attack, which occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked.
What is the medical term for high blood pressure?
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Hypertension
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Hypotension
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Arrhythmia
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Atherosclerosis
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure, a condition in which the force of blood against the artery walls is consistently elevated.
Which of the following is NOT a component of the cardiac conduction system?
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Sinoatrial node (SA node)
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Atrioventricular node (AV node)
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Bundle of His
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Purkinje fibers
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Purkinje fibers are not part of the cardiac conduction system. They are specialized muscle fibers that conduct electrical impulses from the bundle of His to the ventricular myocardium.
What is the term for the electrical signal that triggers the contraction of the heart?
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Action potential
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Depolarization
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Repolarization
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Hyperpolarization
A
Correct answer
Explanation
An action potential is a rapid change in the electrical potential across a cell membrane, causing the cell to depolarize and then repolarize.
Which of the following is NOT a mechanical property of the heart?
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Contractility
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Extensibility
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Conductivity
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Refractoriness
C
Correct answer
Explanation
Conductivity is not a mechanical property of the heart. It is an electrical property that refers to the ability of the heart to conduct electrical impulses.