What is a condition where the heart beats too fast, reducing its ability to pump blood effectively?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Tachycardia. Tachycardia is a condition where the heart beats too fast, resulting in reduced effectiveness in pumping blood. This occurs when the heart rate exceeds the normal range, impacting the heart's ability to fill and empty properly. Bradycardia (B) is the opposite, where the heart beats too slowly. Arrhythmia (C) refers to an irregular heartbeat pattern, which may or may not involve a fast heart rate. Ventricular fibrillation (D) is a life-threatening arrhythmia where the heart quivers instead of pumping effectively.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Restrictive cardiomyopathy. This type of heart disease involves the stiffening of the heart muscle, leading to decreased ability to relax and fill with blood. Restrictive cardiomyopathy is characterized by abnormal stiffening of the heart muscle, impairing its ability to properly expand and contract during the cardiac cycle. This results in reduced filling of the heart chambers, leading to symptoms of heart failure. Choice B: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy involves thickening of the heart muscle, not stiffening. Choice C: Dilated cardiomyopathy involves enlargement and weakening of the heart chambers, not stiffening. Choice D: Ventricular hypertrophy is a general term for thickening of the heart muscle, not specific to stiffness.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a chronic condition characterized by the heart muscle becoming weakened and enlarged, leading to reduced pumping efficiency. This results in symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling. The other choices are incorrect because: B: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is characterized by thickening of the heart muscle, not weakening and enlargement. C: Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle, not specifically causing heart muscle weakening and enlargement. D: Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium (outer lining of the heart), not directly affecting heart muscle function.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Holter monitor. A Holter monitor is a device that measures the electrical activity of the heart over an extended period, usually 24 to 48 hours. It is used to detect abnormal heart rhythms and assess how the heart responds to daily activities. Explanation: 1. The Holter monitor records the heart's electrical activity continuously, providing a detailed analysis of any irregularities. 2. Unlike an echocardiogram, which uses sound waves to create images of the heart, the Holter monitor focuses on monitoring electrical signals. 3. A stress test evaluates the heart's performance under physical stress, not over an extended period like the Holter monitor. 4. Arterial blood gas (ABG) measures oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood, not the heart's electrical activity. In summary, the Holter monitor is the correct choice as it specifically measures the heart's electrical activity over an extended timeframe, distinguishing it from the other options.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Echocardiogram. An echocardiogram uses sound waves to create images of the heart, providing detailed information about its structure and function in real time. It is a non-invasive and safe imaging technique commonly used to diagnose heart conditions. MRI (B) uses magnetic fields, CT scan (C) uses X-rays, and X-ray (D) uses electromagnetic radiation, but these techniques do not specifically use sound waves to image the heart.