What is the condition where the body's immune system attacks its tissues, causing inflammation and damage?

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Cardiovascular System Practice Exam Questions

Question 1 of 5

What is the condition where the body's immune system attacks its tissues, causing inflammation and damage?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Autoimmune disease. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's tissues, leading to inflammation and damage. This occurs due to a breakdown in immune tolerance, resulting in the immune system targeting self-antigens. This leads to chronic inflammation and tissue damage. In contrast, infectious diseases are caused by pathogens, allergic reactions are responses to harmless substances, and degenerative diseases involve the gradual deterioration of tissues over time. Therefore, autoimmune disease best fits the description provided in the question.

Question 2 of 5

Which term refers to a condition where the blood supply to part of the heart muscle is blocked, often referred to as a heart attack?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Myocardial infarction. Myocardial infarction refers to the condition where the blood supply to part of the heart muscle is blocked, leading to tissue damage or cell death. This is commonly known as a heart attack. It is crucial to understand that arrhythmia (B), stroke (C), and aneurysm (D) are different medical conditions that do not specifically involve the blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle. Arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat, stroke is the interruption of blood supply to the brain, and an aneurysm is a bulge in a blood vessel. Therefore, the correct term for a condition involving a blocked blood supply to the heart muscle is myocardial infarction.

Question 3 of 5

What is a condition where the heart muscle becomes abnormally enlarged, thickened, or stiffened, often leading to heart failure?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy is a condition characterized by abnormal enlargement, thickening, or stiffening of the heart muscle, which can lead to heart failure. This condition directly affects the heart muscle itself, causing it to function improperly. Pericarditis (B) is inflammation of the pericardium, the outer lining of the heart, not the heart muscle. Aortic stenosis (C) and Mitral valve prolapse (D) involve issues with heart valves, not the heart muscle itself. Therefore, A is the correct choice as it directly addresses the abnormal changes in the heart muscle leading to heart failure.

Question 4 of 5

What is the condition where the lungs become filled with fluid, often due to heart failure, making it difficult to breathe?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale: 1. Pulmonary edema is the condition where lungs fill with fluid due to heart failure, causing breathing difficulty. 2. Pleural effusion is fluid accumulation in the pleural space, not in the lung tissue. 3. Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries, not related to fluid accumulation. 4. Pneumothorax is the presence of air in the pleural space, not fluid. Summary: Pulmonary edema is the correct answer as it specifically describes the condition of fluid accumulation in the lungs due to heart failure, leading to breathing difficulties. Pleural effusion, pulmonary hypertension, and pneumothorax are incorrect as they involve different pathologies not related to lung fluid accumulation.

Question 5 of 5

Which condition is characterized by the lungs becoming scarred and stiff, leading to difficulty breathing and inadequate oxygen intake into the bloodstream?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Pulmonary fibrosis is characterized by scarring and stiffening of the lungs, impairing their ability to expand and contract properly for breathing. This leads to difficulty breathing and inadequate oxygen intake into the bloodstream. In contrast, cystic fibrosis primarily affects the respiratory and digestive systems, COPD is a progressive lung disease primarily caused by smoking, and tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs. Therefore, the correct answer is A because it specifically describes the scarring and stiffness of the lungs resulting in breathing difficulties and inadequate oxygen intake.

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