Human Anatomy and Physiology : Circulatory and Respiratory Systems

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Human Anatomy and Physiology

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Example Questions

Example Question #14 : Help With Respiratory Injuries And Disorders

A seven-year-old boy has an inflamed nasal mucous membrane, runny nose, nasal itching, nasal congestion, and sneezing. What is the term for his condition?

Possible Answers:

Rhinoplasty

Rhinalgia

Rhinitis

Rhinorrhea

Correct answer:

Rhinitis

Explanation:

Rhinitis is an inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane which is accompanied by the symptoms present in the question. It is caused by allergies. In contrast, rhinorrhea is the scientific term for "runny nose." It is also associated with the common cold, flu, and allergies, and it is caused by tears draining into the inferior nasal meatus through the nasolacrimal duct. Rhinoplasty is a kind of plastic surgery that changes the size or shape of the nose (a "nose job"). Rhinalgia, also known as rhinodynia, is simply the term for "pain in the nose."

Example Question #15 : Help With Respiratory Injuries And Disorders

The lungs are enclosed in a membrane called the pleural membrane, which consists of the parietal pleura attached to the wall of the thoracic cavity and the visceral pleura, which covers the surface of the lungs. Between these two pleura is a space called the pleural space. 

The presence of air in the pleural space is called __________. 

Possible Answers:

pneumonia 

pneumothorax 

emphysema 

laryngitis

bronchitis 

Correct answer:

pneumothorax 

Explanation:

In a healthy lung, the fluid in the pleural space makes the visceral and parietal pleura to adhere to one another. If air enters this space from a rupture of the lung or chest wall injury, it is called a pneumothorax, which can lead to collapse of the lungs. Laryngitis is the inflammation of the larynx, or the voice box. Bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchi, which are branches of the trachea leading to the lungs. Emphysema is a progressive lung disease that causes shortness of breath. Pneumonia is an infection of the alveoli that can be life-threatening. 

Example Question #1 : Help With Evaluation Methods For The Heart

Multiple “sawtooth” P waves on an EKG suggest what pathology?

Possible Answers:

Atrial fibrillation

First degree atrioventricular (AV) block 

Ventricular tachycardia

Atrial flutter

Premature ventricular contraction (PVC)

Correct answer:

Atrial flutter

Explanation:

"Sawtooth" P waves are characteristic of atrial flutter.

Example Question #1 : Help With Evaluation Methods For The Heart

You are looking at your patient's EKG, and you suspect he may be experiencing a first degree atrioventricular (AV) block. What EKG findings would lead you to this conclusion?

Possible Answers:

Multiple QRS complexes prior to a P wave

“Sawtooth” shaped P waves

Multiple P waves prior to the QRS complex

Absent P wave

Prolonged P-R interval

Correct answer:

Prolonged P-R interval

Explanation:

A prolonged P-R interval, that does not get progressively longer is typical of a type I A-V block.

Example Question #2 : Help With Evaluation Methods For The Heart

What does an inverted or absent P wave (as an early beat) represent?

Possible Answers:

Premature junctional/nodal beat

Premature ventricular contraction

Bundle branch block

Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia

Premature atrial beat

Correct answer:

Premature junctional/nodal beat

Explanation:

A premature junctional/nodal beat would be represented on an ECG as an inverted or absent P wave. In a premature junctional/nodal beat, the atrioventricular (AV) node is firing before the sinoatrial (SA) node. Since the AV node is at the bottom of the right atrium, the net vector of atrial depolarization is occurring in a more upward direction, causing the P wave to be absent or inverted. Note that there would be a compensatory pause after the premature beat.The answer could not be a premature atrial contraction because the P wave is absent or inverted (P wave would be normal in a premature atrial contraction (PAC)).

Example Question #3 : Help With Evaluation Methods For The Heart

Which of the following conditions is the most serious?

Possible Answers:

First degree AV block

Ventricular fibrillation

Bundle branch block

Third degree AV block

Atrial fibrillation

Correct answer:

Ventricular fibrillation

Explanation:

Ventricular fibrillation is a very serious issue that requires immediate defibrillation. Ventricular fibrillation is the result of ventricular beats originating from many different automaticity foci, so the QRS looks squiggly, very fast, and incoherent. There are no P waves since the beats are originating in the ventricles. 

Example Question #4 : Help With Evaluation Methods For The Heart

Which of the following is a difference between Bundle Branch Block (BBB) and a Premature Ventricular Contraction (PVC)?

Possible Answers:

None of these

BBB has a P wave, PVC does not

PVC has a P wave, BBB does not

PVC has a wide QRS, PVC does not

BBB has a wide QRS, PVC does not

Correct answer:

BBB has a P wave, PVC does not

Explanation:

A bundle branch block is a block in one of the bundle branches, causing a long QRS (>.10 seconds). It is different than a PVC in that a bundle branch block will show a P wave since the beats are still originating in the atria. Bundle Branch Blocks also tend to show a notched QRS.

Example Question #5 : Help With Evaluation Methods For The Heart

Which AV block is characterized by a longer than normal PR interval (of consistent length)?

Possible Answers:

Second Degree AV Block, Mobitz Type 2

All of these

Second Degree AV Block, Mobitz Type 1 (Wenckebach)

First Degree AV Block

Third Degree AV Block

Correct answer:

First Degree AV Block

Explanation:

In First Degree AV Block, there is a longer than normal PR interval (>.20s) due to slowed AV node conduction. Second degree, Mobitz Type 1 (Wenckebach) is progressive lengthening of the PR interval followed by a dropped QRS. Second Degree, Mobitz Type 2 is sudden dropping of the QRS (no lengthening of PR interval). Third Degree AV Block is when there is no relationship between the P and the QRS. 

Example Question #6 : Help With Evaluation Methods For The Heart

What is a normal PR interval length?

Possible Answers:

.22 seconds

.06 seconds

.10 seconds

.14 seconds

.24 seconds

Correct answer:

.14 seconds

Explanation:

The normal PR interval length is .12 - .20 seconds. The PR interval represents the time lag from the onset of atrial depolarization to the onset of ventricular depolarization. Most of the time lag occurs in the AV node, and it allows atrial systole to occur. This allows the ventricles to have time to fill before ventricular systole.

Example Question #44 : Circulatory And Respiratory Systems

What is the criteria for tachycardia?

Possible Answers:

>120 beats/minute

>100 beats/minute

<80 beats/minute

>90 beats/minute

<60 beats/minute

Correct answer:

>100 beats/minute

Explanation:

Tachycardia is an abnormally rapid heart rate of rate >100 beats per minute.

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