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PY5.1-16 | Cardiovascular Physiology — Practice Quiz

Practice 15 questions · Untimed · Unlimited attempts

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Q1 PY5.5 1 pt

Cardiac muscle has a long refractory period that prevents tetanus. This long refractory period is primarily due to which phase of the cardiac action potential?

A Phase 0 — rapid depolarization (Na+ influx)
B Phase 2 — plateau phase (Ca2+ influx)
C Phase 3 — rapid repolarization (K+ efflux)
D Phase 4 — resting membrane potential

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Q2 PY5.2 1 pt

The first heart sound (S1) is produced by closure of the AV valves. At what point in the cardiac cycle does S1 occur?

A At the beginning of atrial systole
B At the beginning of isovolumetric ventricular contraction
C At the beginning of rapid ventricular ejection
D At the beginning of isovolumetric ventricular relaxation

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Q3 PY5.6 1 pt

A patient's oxygen consumption is 300 mL/min. Arterial blood O2 content is 200 mL/L and mixed venous blood O2 content is 140 mL/L. Using Fick's principle, what is the cardiac output?

A 3 L/min
B 5 L/min
C 7.5 L/min
D 10 L/min

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Q4 PY5.6 1 pt

According to the Frank-Starling mechanism, what happens when venous return increases?

A Heart rate increases but stroke volume remains constant
B End-diastolic volume increases, leading to increased stroke volume
C Afterload increases, leading to decreased cardiac output
D Contractility decreases due to excessive stretch

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Q5 PY5.9 1 pt

Mean arterial pressure (MAP) is calculated as DBP + 1/3 (pulse pressure). For a patient with BP 150/90 mmHg, the MAP is:

A 100 mmHg
B 110 mmHg
C 120 mmHg
D 130 mmHg

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Q6 PY5.8 1 pt

The baroreceptor reflex is the most important short-term mechanism for blood pressure regulation. The baroreceptors in the carotid sinus transmit afferent signals via which cranial nerve?

A Facial nerve (CN VII)
B Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
C Vagus nerve (CN X)
D Accessory nerve (CN XI)

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Q7 PY5.11 1 pt

In the JVP waveform, the 'a' wave is produced by:

A Ventricular contraction bulging the tricuspid valve
B Right atrial contraction
C Passive filling of the right atrium during ventricular systole
D Opening of the tricuspid valve at the start of ventricular filling

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Q8 PY5.14 1 pt

A 70-year-old diabetic patient on antihypertensive medication feels dizzy and nearly faints every time she stands up from a chair. Her lying BP is 140/85 and standing BP (after 3 minutes) is 105/60. The most likely diagnosis is:

A Carotid sinus hypersensitivity
B Orthostatic (postural) hypotension
C Vasovagal syncope
D Cardiac arrhythmia

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Q9 PY5.3 1 pt

The AV node introduces a delay of approximately 0.1 seconds in the transmission of the cardiac impulse. What is the physiological importance of this delay?

A It allows the semilunar valves to close before the next beat
B It allows the atria to complete their contraction before the ventricles begin to contract
C It prevents retrograde conduction from ventricles to atria
D It allows the Purkinje fibres to repolarize

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Q10 PY5.4 1 pt

An ECG shows absence of P waves, an irregularly irregular ventricular rhythm, and a normal QRS duration. The most likely diagnosis is:

A Sinus bradycardia
B Complete (third-degree) heart block
C Atrial fibrillation
D Ventricular tachycardia

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Q11 PY5.4 1 pt

On a standard ECG, the QRS complex represents:

A Atrial depolarization
B Ventricular depolarization
C Ventricular repolarization
D Atrial repolarization

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Q12 PY5.12 1 pt

A patient with nephrotic syndrome (heavy proteinuria) develops generalised oedema. Which Starling force is primarily altered to cause this oedema?

A Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B Decreased plasma oncotic pressure (due to low albumin)
C Increased interstitial oncotic pressure
D Lymphatic obstruction

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Q13 PY5.15 1 pt

A road traffic accident victim loses approximately 1 litre of blood. On examination, he is conscious, anxious, tachycardic (HR 110), with cold clammy extremities and a BP of 100/80. This presentation is most consistent with:

A Compensated hypovolaemic shock
B Decompensated hypovolaemic shock
C Neurogenic shock
D Cardiogenic shock

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Q14 PY5.16 1 pt

A 55-year-old patient with known ischaemic heart disease presents with severe breathlessness that worsens on lying flat (orthopnoea) and bilateral lung crackles. Chest X-ray shows pulmonary congestion. JVP is normal. Which type of heart failure explains this presentation?

A Right heart failure
B Left heart failure
C Biventricular failure
D High-output heart failure

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Q15 PY5.13 1 pt

Coronary blood flow is unique because it occurs predominantly during which phase of the cardiac cycle?

A Atrial systole
B Ventricular systole
C Ventricular diastole
D Isovolumetric contraction

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