Question 1

A 60-year-old man visits his family practitioner for his yearly examination. He has a blood pressure of 180/100 mm Hg, a heart rate of 78 beats/min, and a pulse pressure of 80 mm Hg. His plasma cholesterol level is in the upper 25th percentile. A decrease in which of the following is the most likely explanation for the high pulse pressure in this patient?

A)Stroke volume
B)Arterial pressure
C)Heart rate
D)Arterial compliance
E)Total peripheral resistance

D

Accepted Answer

Pulse pressure is the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure and is determined by arterial compliance, which refers to the ability of the arterial walls to expand and contract with each cardiac cycle. In this patient, the high pulse pressure indicates reduced compliance of the arterial walls, which may be due to arterial stiffening related to age and/or atherosclerosis. Thus, a decrease in arterial compliance (D) is the most likely explanation for the high pulse pressure in this patient. Changes in stroke volume (A), heart rate (C), and total peripheral resistance (E) can affect arterial pressure, but are unlikely to be the primary cause of the high pulse pressure in this case.

Question 2

Which one of the following would increase venous hydrostatic pressure in the legs?&#10;A)Decrease in right atrial pressure&#10;B)Pregnancy&#10;C)Movement of leg muscles&#10;D)Hemorrhage

Accepted Answer

Pregnancy can cause an increase in venous hydrostatic pressure in the legs due to the increased pressure on the veins caused by the growing uterus. A decrease in right atrial pressure (choice A) would actually decrease venous hydrostatic pressure in the legs. Movement of leg muscles (choice C) would help to increase venous return and decrease venous hydrostatic pressure. Hemorrhage (choice D) would decrease overall blood volume and likely result in a decrease in venous hydrostatic pressure.

Question 3

Which of the following components of the circulatory system has the largest distribution of blood volume?&#10;A)Arteries&#10;B)Capillaries&#10;C)Veins&#10;D)Pulmonary circulation&#10;E)Heart

Accepted Answer

Veins contain the largest volume of blood within the circulatory system, acting as a blood reservoir and holding about 60-70% of the body's blood at any given time.

Question 4

A 65-year-old man with a 5-year history of severe congestive heart failure who takes an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor visits a clinic with a complain of swelling in his legs. Which of the following set of changes would explain the swelling?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A 65-year-old man with a 5-year history...

Question 5

Which one of the following tends to decrease pulse pressure?&#10;A)Increase in metabolic rate&#10;B)Increase in stroke volume&#10;C)Increase in arterial compliance&#10;D)Increase in venous return&#10;E)Increase plasma volume

Accepted Answer

Pulse pressure is the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Arterial compliance refers to the ability of arteries to expand and contract with each heartbeat. When arterial compliance increases, the arteries are more elastic and can therefore dampen the pressure waves that lead to pulse pressure. Therefore, an increase in arterial compliance tends to decrease pulse pressure. None of the other options have a direct effect on pulse pressure in the way that arterial compliance does.

Question 6

A 24-year-old woman delivers a 6-pound, 8-ounce female infant. The newborn is diagnosed with patent ductus arteriosus. Which set of changes would be expected in this patient?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A 24-year-old woman delivers a 6-pound, 8-ounce...

Question 7

A 35-year-old woman visits her family practitioner for an examination. She has a mean blood pressure of 105 mm Hg and a heart rate of 74 beats/min. Further tests by a cardiologist revealed that the patient has moderate aortic valve stenosis. Which one of the set of changes would be expected in this patient?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A 35-year-old woman visits her family practitioner...

Question 8

Which one of the following parts of the circulation has the highest compliance?&#10;A)Capillaries&#10;B)Venules&#10;C)Veins&#10;D)Aorta&#10;E)Arteries

Accepted Answer

Veins have the highest compliance among the options listed. This means they can hold more blood volume for a given increase in blood pressure. Veins act as a reservoir, capable of expanding to store large volumes of blood with relatively small changes in pressure, which is a characteristic feature of high compliance.

Question 9

A 65-year-old man has congestive heart failure. He has a cardiac output of 4.0 L/min, arterial pressure of 115/85 mm Hg, and a heart rate of 90 beats/min. Further tests by a cardiologist reveal that the patient has a right atrial pressure of 10 mm Hg. An increase in which of the following would be expected in this patient?

A)Plasma colloid osmotic pressure
B)Interstitial colloid osmotic pressure
C)Arterial pressure
D)Cardiac output
E)Vena cava hydrostatic pressure

Accepted Answer

An increase in right atrial pressure, as seen in this patient, suggests a backup of blood in the venous system, which would lead to an increase in vena cava hydrostatic pressure. This is because the right atrium receives blood from the vena cava, and elevated pressures here indicate congestion that would elevate pressures upstream in the venous system.

Deck 15: Vascular Distensibility and Functions of the Arterial and Venous Systems