Heart Physiology Practice Exam

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• What is preload primarily determined by?
• What term describes blood that returns to the left ventricle after the aortic valve closes?
• What is the basic unit of the heart’s electrical system?
• Which phase occurs after blood is ejected from the ventricles?
• Which part of the heart does the AV Bundle of His primarily serve?
• Which formula is used to calculate cardiac output?
• Describe atrial fibrillation.
• Which of the following are the four main chambers of the heart?
• What condition is characterized by increased levels of calcium in the blood?
• What is the primary role of intrinsic conduction autorhythmic cells in the heart?
• The QRS complex on an ECG represents which of the following?
• What happens to the heart's pressure during diastole?
• Which mechanism helps support increased heart performance during physical activity?
• How many impulses does the SA node generate approximately each minute?
• What is systolic blood pressure?
• What physiological change occurs in response to chronic hypertension?
• What factors can affect heart rate?
• What structure divides into the right and left bundle branches?
• What do Purkinje fibers primarily carry cardiac impulses to?
• What is heart failure?
• What is the term for the pressure that ventricles must overcome to open the aortic and pulmonary valves?
• What happens to venous return during exercise?
• What role does the AV Bundle of His play in the heart’s electrical system?
• What is the expected outcome when the impulse reaches the Purkinje fibers?
• Which component is NOT part of the heart's conduction system?
• When does ventricular filling primarily occur?
• What cardiac condition is characterized by an increase in the size of the ventricles?
• How is cardiac output defined?
• Heart muscle contraction is stimulated by what and contracts as a what?
• What term refers to the contraction of heart muscle?
• The Bainbridge reflex is initiated by what condition?
• During what phase does the dicrotic notch occur?
• During which phase is the heart filling with blood from the atria?
• What is the role of the sinoatrial (SA) node?
• What is the most important factor for stretching cardiac muscles?
• What is the primary purpose of Purkinje fibers in the heart?
• What does the aorta primarily transport from the heart?
• What does the P wave on an EKG represent?
• What effect does increased venous return have on the heart?
• What is one of the effects of hypocalcemia on cardiac function?
• What occurs after the AV valves are open during ventricular filling?
• What does the Frank-Starling mechanism describe?
• What is ventricular hypertrophy?
• What does the electrical impulse do once it travels along the Purkinje fibers?
• What happens during atrial systole?
• What effect does aging have on heart rate response?
• What is the main cause of heart murmurs?
• How does cardiovascular disease affect exercise capacity?
• What condition results from decreased levels of potassium?
• Which of the following will directly affect the contraction of the ventricles?
• How does physical exercise impact heart physiology?
• What process begins when the impulse reaches the heart apex?
• In which location can the sounds of the tricuspid valve typically be heard?
• What physiological event is associated with the "lub-dup" heart sounds?
• What is the function of the pulmonary arteries?
• Which substances are responsible for regulating heart function?
• Which electrolyte plays a crucial role in heart contractility?
• What is the function of the aorta?
• Sounds of the aortic valve can be heard in which location?
• What is responsible for closing the AV valves?
• What is the significance of coronary circulation?
• What event is triggered by rising ventricular pressure?
• What is diastolic blood pressure?
• What is the primary function of the heart valves during the cardiac cycle?
• How does the sympathetic nervous system influence heart rate?
• Describe the importance of the atrial kick in cardiac physiology.
• What effect does the parasympathetic nervous system have on heart rate?
• What are the two pathways that the AV Bundle of His splits into?
• What is the primary function of the atrioventricular (AV) node?
• In cardiac physiology, what does preload refer to?
• What is the consequence of an increased afterload on the heart?
• What does hypokalemia cause in the heart?
• How does the body regulate temperature concerning heart physiology?
• What is the primary role of the mitral valve in the heart?
• During which phase does isovolumetric relaxation occur?
• Which of the following is a consequence of ischemia?
• What is the primary role of arteries in the circulatory system?
• Where is blood pressure low as blood enters and flows into the heart?
• What phenomenon is characterized by a brief rise in aortic pressure?
• What triggers the contraction of heart muscle cells?
• What is the primary function of the AV node in the heart?
• What is the primary component of heart contraction?
• Which structure is known as the heart's natural pacemaker?
• What physiological reflex prevents pooling of blood in the venous system?
• Why are the systolic and diastolic phases significant for cardiac efficiency?
• In the context of the cardiac conduction system, what does AV represent?
• Which condition can result from reduced blood flow to the heart muscle?
• Which wave is masked by the large QRS complex on an ECG?
• What is caused by excessive potassium levels in the blood?
• What are the main functions of platelets in the cardiovascular system?
• Which of the following describes the phases of the cardiac cycle?
• What is left ventricular hypertrophy commonly caused by?
• During the rising phase of an action potential, autorhythmic cells primarily rely on what type of influx?
• What are potential consequences of prolonged myocardial ischemia?
• Which part of the conduction system mediates the contraction of the ventricles?
• Which component of the conduction system is responsible for rapidly spreading impulses throughout the ventricles?
• What occurs when the semilunar valves close?
• Which principle explains the alternation of systole and diastole in the heart's pumping action?
• Which of the following increases heart irritability?
• What is an arrhythmia?
• What is the difference between the pulmonary and systemic circuits?
• What are the effects of hypertension on the heart?
• What does an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) measure?
• How do baroreceptors regulate blood pressure?
• What are the main functions of the cardiovascular system?
• What process occurs just before the ventricles contract?
• What does the R wave on the EKG specifically represent?
• What is the term for local decrease in blood supply?
• Cardiac impulses pass from the atria to the ventricles primarily via which structure?
• What does the P wave in an ECG represent?
• Which event does the closure of the AV valves indicate in the cardiac cycle?
• Which part of the heart is responsible for receiving deoxygenated blood from the body?
• In which phase does isovolumetric contraction occur?
• What is a potential effect of excessive potassium on the heart's function?
• What term describes the degree to which cardiac muscle cells are stretched just before systole?
• What is the term for the loss of elasticity in the myocardium?
• What does the first heart sound (lub) signify?
• What is a common symptom of arrhythmia?
• Excessive K+ levels in the blood can interfere with what process?
• How does Starling's law of the heart relate to stroke volume?
• What does the P wave on an ECG correspond to?
• How do Purkinje fibers facilitate heart contraction?
• When does the second heart sound (dup) occur?
• ESV stands for what in cardiac physiology?
• At what structure is ventricular excitation considered complete?
• Which of the following is a function of calcium blockers?
• Which wave on an EKG corresponds to peak ventricular depolarization?
• The T wave on an EKG represents which phase?
• What is the term for the phase when semilunar valves open?
• Which branches carry cardiac impulses toward the apex of the heart?
• What anatomical feature is formed by the branching of the AV Bundle of His?
• What role does the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) play in cardiovascular physiology?
• What type of medication is used to reduce heart rate?
• Which component is responsible for transmitting impulses to the ventricular walls?
• Which node generates the impulse that initiates atrial excitation?
• What happens during ventricular systole in the cardiac cycle?
• What is the result of decreased levels of calcium in the bloodstream?
• What are some common causes of congestive heart failure?
• What happens during diastole?
• What is the location for auscultating the sounds of the mitral valve?
• Which chamber of the heart relaxes during ventricular systole?
• What physiological change occurs during diastole?
• Cardiac muscle contraction is similar to which type of muscle contraction?
• What is the significance of the interventricular septum?
• What could potentially occur if the rest potential is lowered due to excessive K+ levels?
• What is the term for the relaxation of heart muscle?
• Which of the following waves on an ECG represents ventricular repolarization?
• What physiological event is triggered by depolarization in cardiac muscle cells?
• What is myocardial ischemia?
• What condition is described by the blockage of a coronary artery?
• What follows depolarization of the heart?
• What effect does calcium influx during action potential generation have on cells?
• What is stroke volume?
• What role does nitric oxide play in cardiovascular health?
• Where does the cardiac impulse travel after leaving the AV Bundle of His?
• What cardiac output condition results from the combination of preload and heart rate?
• What is cardiac reserve?
• What happens when end-diastolic volume increases according to Starling's law?
• What is the primary consequence of the AV node's delay on heart function?
• Where is the impulse delayed before continuing to the ventricles?
• What is the primary function of the heart in the circulatory system?
• What are the major heart valves found in the human heart?
• What is the significance of the heart valves?
• What function does the left ventricle perform?
• What term refers to the volume of blood pumped from the heart in one minute?
• What does the acronym SA stand for in relation to the cardiac conduction system?
• How does age impact heart physiology?
• What is defined as afterload in cardiac physiology?
• How does blood flow through the heart?
• What phenomenon do autorhythmic cells display that is characterized by unstable resting potentials?
• What term refers to all events associated with blood flow through the heart?
• How is cardiac output calculated?
• What does the T wave represent in an electrocardiogram?
• Which heart valve condition involves non-functional or weakened mitral valves?
• What is the primary function of the Purkinje fibers in the heart?
• Where are the sounds of the pulmonary valve best heard?
• Which pathway is involved in delivering impulses to the apex of the heart?
• Which structure in the heart is often referred to as the "natural pacemaker"?
• Which of the following factors does NOT play a part in determining heart rate?
• What is a common manifestation of hypokalemia in relation to heart function?