ATI RN
100 Questions on the Cardiovascular System PDF Questions
Question 1 of 5
Edema is not caused by:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Edema results from high blood pressure (increased hydrostatic pressure), protein leakage (reduced osmotic pressure), or lymphatic obstruction. Increased plasma protein concentration raises osmotic pressure, pulling fluid into capillaries, thus preventing edema.
Question 2 of 5
A client asks the nurse what the higher number in a blood pressure reading means. The nurse responds that the systolic pressure measures the pressure in the:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Systolic pressure (the higher number) measures the pressure in the arteries when the ventricles contract (systole), pumping blood into the systemic circulation. Atrial contraction contributes minimally to arterial pressure, and ventricular filling occurs during diastole.
Question 3 of 5
Erythrocyte production:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Erythropoiesis requires intrinsic factor from gastric juice for B₁₂ absorption; its loss (e.g., pernicious anemia) reduces RBC production. Estrogen doesn’t directly stimulate it, the spleen isn’t a primary site in adults (bone marrow is), and amino acids aren’t a key trigger.
Question 4 of 5
The structure of hemoglobin A is:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Hemoglobin A (adult) has 2 α and 2 β polypeptide chains (globin) and 4 heme groups (iron-containing), allowing it to bind 4 oxygen molecules. ‘Globin molecules’ alone is vague and incorrect.
Question 5 of 5
Duration of the absolute period, i.e., when the whole of heart is in diastole is
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The absolute refractory period, when the heart is fully relaxed (early diastole) and unresponsive to stimuli, lasts ~0.2 seconds in a typical 0.8-second cardiac cycle (at 75 bpm). It aligns with ventricular relaxation before atrial systole. Other durations are too short or long for this phase.