Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
When the first heart sound is heard, what is occurring with the heart valves?
A. The AV valves are closing.
The AV valves are closing: This occurs at S₁ (first heart sound) at the start of ventricular systole.
B. The semilunar valves are closing.
The semilunar valves are closing: Semilunar valves close at S₂ (second heart sound), not S₁.
C. The AV valves are opening.
The AV valves are opening: AV valves open during ventricular diastole (filling), not at S₁.
D. The semilunar valves are opening.
The semilunar valves are opening: Semilunar valves open during ventricular ejection (systole) but their opening is not what produces S₁.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - Anatomy and physiology proctored exam (Ivy college). Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
A. The AV valves are closing: This occurs at S₁ (first heart sound) at the start of ventricular systole.
B. The semilunar valves are closing: Semilunar valves close at S₂ (second heart sound), not S₁.
C. The AV valves are opening: AV valves open during ventricular diastole (filling), not at S₁.
D. The semilunar valves are opening: Semilunar valves open during ventricular ejection (systole) but their opening is not what produces S₁.
Similar Questions
What factor can increase blood pressure?
A. An increase in parasympathetic stimulation
An increase in parasympathetic stimulation: Parasympathetic activity lowers heart rate and typically reduces BP, so this would not increase BP.
B. A decrease in peripheral resistance
A decrease in peripheral resistance: Lower peripheral resistance reduces BP (BP = CO × PR), so this would decrease BP.
C. An increase in heart rate
An increase in heart rate: Raises cardiac output (if stroke volume is similar), which tends to increase blood pressure.
D. A decrease in stroke volume
A decrease in stroke volume: Lowers cardiac output and therefore tends to decrease BP.
Full Explanation
A. An increase in parasympathetic stimulation: Parasympathetic activity lowers heart rate and typically reduces BP, so this would not increase BP.
B. A decrease in peripheral resistance: Lower peripheral resistance reduces BP (BP = CO × PR), so this would decrease BP.
C. An increase in heart rate: Raises cardiac output (if stroke volume is similar), which tends to increase blood pressure.
D. A decrease in stroke volume: Lowers cardiac output and therefore tends to decrease BP.
What is a function of the pulmonary circuit?
A. It carries oxygen-poor blood to the tissues.
It carries oxygen-poor blood to the tissues: That’s the systemic circuit's function (to deliver oxygen to tissues via arterial blood), so incorrect.
B. It carries oxygen-poor blood to the heart.
It carries oxygen-poor blood to the heart: Venous return from tissues brings oxygen-poor blood back to the heart, but the pulmonary circuit specifically moves blood from the heart to the lungs -so this is misleading/incorrect.
C. It carries oxygen-poor blood from the tissues.
It carries oxygen-poor blood from the tissues: The systemic veins do that; the pulmonary circuit carries blood from the heart to the lungs, not directly from tissues.
D. It carries oxygen-poor blood to the lungs.
It carries oxygen-poor blood to the lungs: Pulmonary circuit transports deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs for oxygenation.
Full Explanation
A. It carries oxygen-poor blood to the tissues: That’s the systemic circuit's function (to deliver oxygen to tissues via arterial blood), so incorrect.
B. It carries oxygen-poor blood to the heart: Venous return from tissues brings oxygen-poor blood back to the heart, but the pulmonary circuit specifically moves blood from the heart to the lungs -so this is misleading/incorrect.
C. It carries oxygen-poor blood from the tissues: The systemic veins do that; the pulmonary circuit carries blood from the heart to the lungs, not directly from tissues.
D. It carries oxygen-poor blood to the lungs: Pulmonary circuit transports deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs for oxygenation.
What is vasodilation?
A. Compression of a vein because of muscle contraction.
Compression of a vein because of muscle contraction: That’s mechanical venous compression (skeletal muscle pump), not vasodilation.
B. An increase in the diameter of a blood vessel.
An increase in the diameter of a blood vessel: Definition of vasodilation.
C. Contraction of the ventricles which increases ventricular pressure.
Contraction of the ventricles which increases ventricular pressure: That describes ventricular systole, not vasodilation.
D. A decrease in the diameter of a blood vessel.
A decrease in the diameter of a blood vessel: That is vasoconstriction, the opposite of vasodilation.
Full Explanation
A. Compression of a vein because of muscle contraction: That’s mechanical venous compression (skeletal muscle pump), not vasodilation.
B. An increase in the diameter of a blood vessel: Definition of vasodilation.
C. Contraction of the ventricles which increases ventricular pressure: That describes ventricular systole, not vasodilation.
D. A decrease in the diameter of a blood vessel: That is vasoconstriction, the opposite of vasodilation.