NCLEX : NCLEX

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for NCLEX

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Example Questions

Example Question #4 : Circulatory System

Depolarization is able to travel in a uniform wave through myocardium due to what physiological feature?

Possible Answers:

Desmosomes

T-tubules

Gap junctions

Striation

Correct answer:

Gap junctions

Explanation:

Depolarization is able to travel in a uniform wave through myocardium due to the presence of gap junctions. These junctions allow the depolarizing current to be transmitted directly from cell to cell in the heart. Striation in cardiac muscle is a feature of contraction, created by overlapping thick and thin contractile filaments. Desmosomes are strong fiber-like anchors between myocardial cells, and T-tubules, while an important part of depolarization, are not responsible for the rapid inter-cellular communication that occurs as a result of the presence of gap junctions. 

Example Question #2 : Circulatory System

Parasympathetic innervation of the heart is primarily controlled by what nerve?

Possible Answers:

The recurrent laryngeal nerve

None of these is correct

The vagus nerve (CN X)

The cardiac nerve

Correct answer:

The vagus nerve (CN X)

Explanation:

The vagus nerve provides the main parasympathetic innervation of the heart. The recurrent laryngeal nerve, a branch of the vagus nerve, innervates the majority of the intrinsic muscles of the larynx. The cardiac nerve is part of the sympathetic innervation of the heart.

Example Question #1 : Heart

What coronary artery supplies left atrium and left ventricle?

Possible Answers:

The septal branches

The left coronary artery

The left circumflex artery

The posterior descending artery

Correct answer:

The left coronary artery

Explanation:

The majority of blood supply to the left atrium and left ventricle is provided by the  left coronary artery. The septal branches and left circumflex artery are smaller divisions of this main artery. The posterior descending artery supplies the posterior one-third of the interventricular septum.

Example Question #1 : Circulatory System

A nurse is performing an abdominal exam and notices a strong pulse in the abdomen just above the umbilicus. She is most likely palpating what blood vessel?

Possible Answers:

The femoral artery

The abdominal aorta

The exterior iliac artery

The inferior mesenteric artery

Correct answer:

The abdominal aorta

Explanation:

The nurse is most likely palpating the abdominal aorta. This vessel is large, generally 2.5-4 cm in diameter, and a strong pulse can often be felt on palpation. The femoral artery is also an area where a pulse may be felt, but it is only palpable in the mid-inguinal point of the inner thigh. The exterior iliac artery branches off of the abdominal aorta below the umbilicus, and the inferior mesenteric artery is a minor artery and is not generally palpable on examination.

Example Question #8 : Circulatory System

What is the formula for finding cardiac output (CO)?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Cardiac output (CO) is the measure of the amount of blood that is able to circulate through the heart in one minute. It is found by multiplying the stroke volume times the heart rate, in beats per minute. The ejection fraction, another important measure of cardiac function, is not considered when calculating cardiac output.

Example Question #1 : Heart

Oxygen-poor blood flows from the __________ to the __________.

Possible Answers:

pulmonary arteries . . . right atrium

vena cava . . . left atrium

vena cava . . . right atrium

pulmonary veins . . . left atrium

Correct answer:

vena cava . . . right atrium

Explanation:

Deoxygenated blood from the body flows through the superior and inferior vena cava into the right atrium of the heart. From there it enters the right ventricle, then is ejected into the lungs via the pulmonary arteries. The blood is oxygenated in the lungs, then flows through the pulmonary veins into the left atrium, then into the left ventricle to be pumped back out into the body.

Example Question #332 : General Biology

How does parasympathetic innervation affect the heart?

Possible Answers:

Slows heart rate and increases cardiac output

Increases heart rate and increases cardiac output

Increases heart rate and decreases cardiac output

Slows heart rate and decreases cardiac output

Correct answer:

Slows heart rate and decreases cardiac output

Explanation:

Sympathetic innervation will decrease the heart rate, which will automatically decrease the cardiac output 

Example Question #11 : Heart

Which of the following causes the S1 heart sound (lub)?

Possible Answers:

The opening of the tricuspid and mitral (AV) valves

The closing of the aortic and pulmonary valves

The closing of the tricuspid and mitral (AV) valves

The opening of the aortic and pulmonary valves

Correct answer:

The closing of the tricuspid and mitral (AV) valves

Explanation:

The S1 heart sound (sometimes referred to as "lub") is caused by the sudden snapping-shut of the tricuspid and mitral valves during systole, when the heart contracts and tension on the chordae tendinae is released. No sound is produced on the opening of these or any other valves in the heart.

Example Question #12 : Heart

The contraction rate is set in what area of the heart?

Possible Answers:

The bundle of His

The sinoatrial node

The atrioventricular node

The Purkinje fibers

Correct answer:

The sinoatrial node

Explanation:

The contraction rate for the heart is set by the cells of the sinoatrial node, also known as the pacemaker cells of the heart. These cells have membranes that are especially permeable to ions, and are able to depolarize on their own at a rate of 70-100 beats per minute. All the other areas listed do have their own spontaneous contractility, but their rates are slower than that of the sinoatrial node. Thus, the sinoatrial node is the pacemaker in a healthy heart.

Example Question #631 : Nclex

Which of the following is the proper unit of measurement for blood pressure?

Possible Answers:

IU

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The proper unit when recording a patient's blood pressure is mmHg, or millimeter of mercury. This is derived from a historical measurement of how many millimeters of mercury in a mercury manometer were able to be elevated by a particular pressure. Due to it's toxicity,  are longer used in medical equipment, though the  unit remains in use.

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