Heart Anatomy and Function Quiz

The _______ is the largest and strongest chamber of the heart and must force blood out to the entire body.

• sinoatrial node

• left ventricle

• right atrium

• superior vena cava

Answer explanation

The left ventricle is the largest and strongest chamber of the heart, responsible for pumping oxygenated blood to the entire body, making it essential for circulation.

The chamber of the heart that pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs is called the:

• left atrium

• right ventricle

• right atrium

• left ventricle

Answer explanation

The right ventricle is responsible for pumping deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation. The left atrium and left ventricle deal with oxygenated blood, while the right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body.

The _______ is part of the sophisticated electrical system that keeps the heart beating.

• acute artery

• myocardial system

• cardiac compromise

• conduction pathway

Answer explanation

The conduction pathway is a crucial part of the heart's electrical system, responsible for coordinating the heartbeat. It ensures that electrical impulses travel through the heart, allowing it to beat effectively.

_______ has many causes and can present with different signs and symptoms, such as tightness or pain in the chest, diaphoresis, or abnormal pulse.

• Ventricular conduction

• Angina dorsalis

• Atrioventriculosis

• Cardiac compromise

Answer explanation

Cardiac compromise encompasses various conditions that can lead to symptoms like chest tightness, pain, diaphoresis, and abnormal pulse, making it the correct choice. The other options do not broadly cover these signs.

_______ is similar to a heart attack, but coronary blood flow is not completely cut off and there is no actual damage to the heart muscle.

• Heart failure

• Angina pectoris

• Myocardial infarction

• Chest pressure

Answer explanation

Angina pectoris is characterized by chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart, but unlike a heart attack, it does not cause permanent damage to the heart muscle. This makes it similar to a heart attack without the severe consequences.

Also called a heart attack, _______ occurs when the blood supply to a portion of the heart is interrupted.

• cardiac arrest

• angina pectoris

• pericarditis

• myocardial infarction

Answer explanation

Also called a heart attack, myocardial infarction occurs when blood supply to a part of the heart is blocked, leading to damage. Other options like cardiac arrest and angina pectoris refer to different heart conditions.

Patients with _______ usually have a chief complaint of difficulty breathing, although they may complain of chest pain.

• congestive heart failure

• pedal edema

• angina

• hypertension

Answer explanation

Patients with congestive heart failure often experience difficulty breathing due to fluid buildup in the lungs. While chest pain can occur, the primary complaint is typically related to breathing issues.

You are treating a 54-year-old male complaining of crushing chest pressure. He states that the pain started about 45 minutes ago and has gotten worse in the last 20 minutes. He also complains of nausea and is pale and sweaty. These signs and symptoms are consistent with:

• congestive heart failure.

• myocardial infarction.

• angina pectoris.

• heartburn.

Answer explanation

The patient's symptoms of crushing chest pressure, worsening pain, nausea, pallor, and sweating are classic signs of a myocardial infarction, indicating a heart attack, rather than angina, heartburn, or congestive heart failure.

The mnemonic commonly used to evaluate a patient's chest pain is:

• OPQRST.

• SAMPLE.

• BP-DOC.

• AVPU.

Answer explanation

The mnemonic OPQRST is used to assess chest pain by evaluating Onset, Provocation, Quality, Radiation, Severity, and Time. This makes it the correct choice for evaluating a patient's chest pain.

The American Heart Association recommends administering oxygen to a chest pain patient with an oxygen saturation of less than:

• 100 percent.

• 97 percent.

• 94 percent.

• 90 percent.

Answer explanation

The American Heart Association recommends administering oxygen to patients with chest pain if their oxygen saturation is less than 94 percent. This threshold helps ensure adequate oxygenation.