ATI RN
Cardiovascular System Exam Questions
Question 1 of 5
What is a condition where the right side of the heart fails due to increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries, often caused by chronic lung disease?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Cor pulmonale. Cor pulmonale is right-sided heart failure due to increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries, typically caused by chronic lung disease. This leads to the right side of the heart working harder to pump blood through the lungs, resulting in eventual failure. Pulmonary embolism (C) is a sudden blockage in the pulmonary artery, not a chronic condition. Heart failure (B) is a general term for when the heart is unable to pump blood effectively, not specific to the right side. Myocarditis (D) is inflammation of the heart muscle, not directly related to pulmonary hypertension.
Question 2 of 5
What is a condition where the heart's electrical system malfunctions, leading to an irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Arrhythmia. Arrhythmia refers to an irregular heartbeat caused by malfunctioning of the heart's electrical system. Bradycardia (B) is a slow heart rate, Tachycardia (C) is a fast heart rate, and Ventricular fibrillation (D) is a life-threatening arrhythmia characterized by rapid, irregular heartbeats. Arrhythmia encompasses various types of irregular heart rhythms, making it the most appropriate choice in this context.
Question 3 of 5
Which of the following conditions is characterized by inflammation of the heart muscle, often due to a viral infection, leading to impaired heart function?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Myocarditis is the correct answer because it specifically refers to inflammation of the heart muscle often caused by a viral infection, leading to impaired heart function. It directly addresses the condition described in the question. Endocarditis is inflammation of the inner lining of the heart chambers and valves, not the heart muscle. Pericarditis is inflammation of the outer lining of the heart, not the heart muscle. Cardiomyopathy is a general term for diseases of the heart muscle that impair its ability to pump blood, but it does not specifically mention inflammation caused by viral infections.
Question 4 of 5
What test uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the heart, allowing doctors to assess its structure and function?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Echocardiogram. An echocardiogram uses high-frequency sound waves to create detailed images of the heart's structure and function in real-time. It is a non-invasive and safe diagnostic tool commonly used to assess heart health. MRI (B) uses magnetic fields and radio waves, CT scan (C) uses X-rays, and X-ray (D) uses electromagnetic radiation, but they do not provide the same level of detail and real-time assessment of the heart as an echocardiogram does.
Question 5 of 5
What condition involves the heart's electrical system malfunctioning, causing very fast heartbeats originating from the ventricles?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Ventricular tachycardia. Ventricular tachycardia is characterized by rapid heartbeats originating from the ventricles, resulting in an abnormal heart rhythm. This condition can be life-threatening if not promptly treated. Atrial fibrillation involves rapid, irregular heartbeats originating from the atria, not the ventricles (B). Supraventricular tachycardia also originates above the ventricles and is not specific to ventricular malfunction (C). Bradycardia, on the other hand, is a condition characterized by an abnormally slow heart rate, which is the opposite of the fast heartbeats seen in ventricular tachycardia (D).