Which type of heart disease involves the stiffening of the heart muscle, reducing its ability to relax and fill with blood?

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: 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.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Angiography. Angiography is the imaging test that uses X-rays to visualize blood vessels by injecting contrast dye. This dye highlights the blood vessels, allowing for clear visualization on X-ray images. Angiography is specifically designed to provide detailed images of the blood vessels and identify any blockages or abnormalities. B: CT scan uses X-rays but does not involve injecting contrast dye into blood vessels. C: MRI uses magnetic fields and radio waves, not X-rays. D: Ultrasound uses sound waves, not X-rays or contrast dye to visualize blood vessels.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Transient ischemic attack (TIA). A TIA is a temporary interruption of blood flow to the brain, causing stroke-like symptoms that usually resolve within 24 hours. It is often referred to as a 'mini-stroke' because the symptoms are similar to a stroke but last for a shorter duration. Explanation: 1. TIA specifically describes a temporary interruption of blood flow to the brain, aligning with the scenario described in the question. 2. Stroke (Choice B) refers to a more severe and lasting interruption of blood flow to the brain, not a temporary one as seen in a TIA. 3. Myocardial infarction (Choice C) refers to a heart attack, which involves blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle, not the brain. 4. Pulmonary embolism (Choice D) is a blockage of an artery in the lungs, not related to blood flow interruption to the brain. In summary,