Question 1

Types of muscles in heart?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: The myocardium of the heart is composed of cardiac muscle, a striated involuntary muscle with intercalated discs that enable synchronized contraction. Smooth muscle is found in blood vessel walls, not in the heart’s contractile layer. Skeletal ("skeleton") muscle does not occur in the heart. Therefore, the correct type in the heart is cardiac muscle.

Question 2

Which of the following is the most common symptom of myocardial infarction?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: The hallmark and most common presenting symptom of acute myocardial infarction is chest pain, typically described as pressure or squeezing substernal discomfort that may radiate to the arm, neck, or jaw. It reflects myocardial ischemia and necrosis from coronary occlusion. Dyspnea and palpitations can occur but are less specific, and edema is usually a later sign of heart failure, not an acute MI. Therefore, chest pain best identifies MI presentation.

Question 3

Smallest blood vessel is?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels, typically 5–10 µm in diameter, consisting of a single endothelial layer and basement membrane. Their tiny lumen allows red blood cells to pass in single file, maximizing diffusion of gases, nutrients, and wastes. Arteries and veins are larger conduit vessels, and even venules are bigger than capillaries.

Question 4

Normal blood pressure according to JNC 8 is?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Normal blood pressure is defined as systolic

Question 5

Hypertension is defined as BP ≥?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: The conventional diagnostic threshold for hypertension in adults is a persistent BP of ≥ 140/90 mmHg on at least two separate occasions (JNC-based criteria). A BP of 120/80 mmHg is normal. 130/85 mmHg is below the classic threshold and would be considered elevated or prehypertensive in older classifications. 160/100 mmHg indicates more severe hypertension but is above the minimal defining cutoff.

Question 6

Human heart has how many chambers?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: The human heart is composed of four chambers: right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, and left ventricle. The atria receive venous blood (right from systemic, left from pulmonary) and the ventricles pump blood to the lungs and systemic circulation. Interatrial and interventricular septa separate the right and left sides to prevent mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.

Question 7

Swollen vein due to blood clot is called ...?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Thrombophlebitis is inflammation of a vein associated with thrombus formation, producing a tender, swollen, cordlike vein. Thrombosis alone refers to clot formation within a vessel without specifying venous wall inflammation. Thrombocytopenia is a low platelet count and not a venous condition. Therefore, a swollen vein due to a blood clot is termed thrombophlebitis.

Question 8

Normal heart rate in adults is?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: The normal resting heart rate for a healthy adult is 60–100 beats per minute. Rates below 60 bpm suggest bradycardia, and rates above 100 bpm indicate tachycardia. The other ranges listed fall into bradycardic or tachycardic values and are not considered normal for resting adults.

Question 9

The commonest type of shock is?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Hypovolemic shock is the most common overall, typically resulting from hemorrhage, dehydration, or fluid losses (e.g., burns, vomiting, diarrhea). Loss of intravascular volume reduces preload and stroke volume, causing decreased cardiac output and tissue hypoperfusion. Cardiogenic and neurogenic forms occur less frequently, and while septic shock is common in ICUs, hypovolemia remains the predominant type globally.

Question 10

Secondary hypertension accounts for about?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Most hypertension is primary (essential), comprising about 90–95% of cases. Secondary hypertension—due to identifiable causes such as renal disease, endocrine disorders, or medications—accounts for the remainder. Epidemiologic data commonly cite 5–10%, and when a single figure is required, 5% is the standard approximation. Thus, 5% is the best answer among the options.

Question 11

Hypertension is defined as BP above?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Traditional diagnostic criteria (e.g., JNC 7/8 and many global guidelines) define hypertension as persistent blood pressure at or above 140/90 mmHg. Values like 120/80 mmHg are normal, and 130/85 mmHg is elevated but not hypertensive by those criteria. While some recent guidelines use 130/80 mmHg, the classic definition used in many exams is ≥140/90 mmHg.

Question 12

Best investigation for diagnosing HF?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Echocardiography is the gold standard for confirming heart failure because it directly evaluates cardiac structure and function, including ejection fraction, wall motion, diastolic function, and valvular disease. Chest X-ray and ECG provide supportive information but are nonspecific for establishing the diagnosis. Hemoglobin testing does not diagnose HF, though anemia may exacerbate it.

Question 13

A late sign of shock is?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: In early shock, compensatory mechanisms increase sympathetic tone, producing tachycardia and anxiety/restlessness while maintaining blood pressure. As these mechanisms fail, cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance can no longer sustain perfusion, leading to hypotension—a hallmark late sign. Urine output typically decreases, not increases, due to renal hypoperfusion.

Question 14

The bundle of His is located in?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: The bundle of His (atrioventricular bundle) emerges from the AV node and pierces the cardiac skeleton to enter the interventricular septum. It courses within the septum before bifurcating into right and left bundle branches. These branches then conduct impulses to Purkinje fibers throughout the ventricles. Therefore, its anatomical location is the interventricular septum.

Question 15

Bradycardia means heart rate below?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Bradycardia is defined in adults as a heart rate less than 60 beats per minute. Normal resting adult heart rate ranges from 60 to 100 bpm. Although trained athletes may tolerate rates below 60, the clinical definition remains a threshold under 60. Therefore, 60/min is the correct cutoff.

Question 16

Normal ejection fraction of the heart is?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Ejection fraction represents the proportion of end-diastolic volume ejected with each systole and is a key measure of left ventricular systolic function. In healthy adults, the normal LVEF is about 55–70%. Values below ~40% suggest systolic dysfunction, whereas very high values (>75%) are uncommon at rest and may reflect hyperdynamic states or specific cardiomyopathies. Therefore, 55–70% is the correct normal range.

Question 17

Normal ejection fraction of the heart?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Ejection fraction (EF) is the percentage of end-diastolic volume ejected by the left ventricle with each beat. A normal LVEF in adults is about 55–70%. Values of 40–50% are borderline or mildly reduced, and 20–30% indicate severe systolic dysfunction. An EF of 75–90% is typically hyperdynamic and not considered normal baseline.

Question 18

Hepatic veins carries blood from ...?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: The hepatic veins drain deoxygenated blood from the liver sinusoids and empty directly into the inferior vena cava. They thus carry blood away from the liver after it has been processed via the portal circulation. They do not drain the kidneys, heart, or brain.

Question 19

In a healthy adult man the normal diastolic pressure is?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Normal adult blood pressure is commonly referenced as about 120/80 mm Hg, where the diastolic component represents arterial pressure during ventricular relaxation. Therefore, the typical normal diastolic pressure is approximately 80 mm Hg. Values like 90–100 mm Hg would indicate elevated diastolic pressure, and 120 mm Hg corresponds to the systolic value rather than diastolic.

Question 20

The hepatic portal vein carries blood away which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: The hepatic portal vein drains venous blood from the gastrointestinal tract (and associated organs) and carries it to the liver for metabolism and detoxification before it returns to the systemic circulation. Therefore, it carries blood away from the GI tract (i.e., away from the intestines) toward the liver. Blood from the liver itself drains via the hepatic veins into the inferior vena cava, not via the portal vein. The kidneys drain via the renal veins directly to the inferior vena cava.

Question 21

Which layer of the heart is responsible for contraction?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: The myocardium is the thick muscular middle layer of the heart wall made of cardiac muscle fibers that generate forceful contraction to pump blood. The endocardium is the inner endothelial lining that reduces turbulence, and the epicardium is the outer layer (visceral pericardium) that provides protection and contains coronary vessels and fat. The pericardium is the surrounding sac that reduces friction and limits overexpansion, not the contractile layer.

Question 22

Rheumatic heart disease commonly damages?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Rheumatic heart disease (a late sequela of acute rheumatic fever due to group A streptococcal infection) most commonly affects the mitral valve, leading to leaflet thickening, commissural fusion, and chordal shortening. This results classically in mitral stenosis and/or mitral regurgitation. The aortic valve is the next most commonly involved, while tricuspid and pulmonic involvement is relatively uncommon.

Question 23

Which of the following is not a risk factor for CAD?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Smoking, obesity, and diabetes mellitus are well-established major risk factors for coronary artery disease because they promote atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction. Regular exercise, in contrast, is generally cardioprotective and is recommended to reduce CAD risk by improving lipid profile, blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, and body weight. Therefore, among the choices, exercise is the option that is not a risk factor for CAD.

Question 24

Which artery is most commonly palpated for taking a pulse?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: The radial artery is the most commonly used site for routine pulse assessment because it is superficial and easy to palpate at the wrist. It generally provides a reliable peripheral pulse without requiring exposure of other body areas. The ulnar artery is less accessible for routine checks, and brachial/axillary pulses are typically reserved for specific assessments (e.g., infants, blood pressure measurement, or when distal pulses are difficult to obtain).

Question 25

Which blood vessel carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: The pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs for gas exchange. Pulmonary veins are the exception among veins because they return oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium. The aorta carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the systemic circulation. The superior vena cava returns deoxygenated blood from the upper body to the right atrium, not to the lungs directly.

Question 26

Which of the following can cause heart attack ?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Elevated cholesterol (especially LDL) promotes atherosclerotic plaque formation in coronary arteries. Plaque rupture with thrombus formation can acutely occlude a coronary vessel, causing myocardial infarction (heart attack). While diabetes/high blood sugar is also a risk factor, the option most directly tied to the pathogenesis of coronary artery blockage is cholesterol. Blood urea and blood protein are not typical direct causes of myocardial infarction in standard cardiovascular risk assessment.

Question 27

The P wave in ECG represents?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: On a standard ECG, the P wave reflects atrial depolarization as the electrical impulse spreads from the SA node through the atrial myocardium. Atrial repolarization is usually not visible because it is obscured by the QRS complex. Ventricular depolarization corresponds to the QRS complex, and ventricular repolarization corresponds to the T wave.

Question 28

Weight of the heart...?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: In adults, the normal heart weight is typically about 250–350 g, with males averaging higher than females. A commonly taught reference value for an adult male heart is approximately 300 g (often cited around 300–310 g). Among the given choices, 310 g best matches the standard anatomical average. The other options are either too low (150 g, 200 g) or unusually high for a normal adult heart (400 g).

Question 29

Which of the following is the most common risk factor for developing an aneurysm?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Chronic hypertension is a major and very common risk factor for aneurysm formation because sustained high arterial pressure increases wall stress and promotes progressive weakening and dilation of the vessel. This contributes to degeneration of the arterial media and expansion over time, particularly in the aorta and cerebral vessels. While hyperlipidemia and sedentary lifestyle contribute to atherosclerosis and overall cardiovascular risk, they are less directly tied to aneurysm development than chronic hypertension. Diabetes mellitus is not classically the most common risk factor for aneurysm formation in standard med-surg teaching.

Question 30

Atrial fibrillation is characterized by?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: In atrial fibrillation, there are no discrete P waves because atrial depolarization is chaotic and disorganized. The baseline instead shows fibrillatory (f) waves and the ventricular response is typically irregularly irregular. Therefore, the best description among the options is the absence of identifiable P waves.

Question 31

The Sound of heart is?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Normal heart sounds are described as "lub-dub". The first heart sound (S1, "lub") is produced by closure of the atrioventricular valves (mitral and tricuspid) at the start of systole. The second heart sound (S2, "dub") is produced by closure of the semilunar valves (aortic and pulmonic) at the end of systole/beginning of diastole. "Rub" suggests a pericardial friction rub, which is abnormal rather than a normal heart sound pattern.

Question 32

What regulates blood pressure?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Arterioles are the primary "resistance vessels" and are the main site of systemic vascular resistance, which is a key determinant of arterial blood pressure (BP ≈ cardiac output × systemic vascular resistance). Their smooth muscle tone changes via autonomic input and local mediators, adjusting vessel diameter and thus resistance. While large arteries contribute via compliance and veins primarily regulate venous return/preload, arterioles most directly regulate blood pressure through resistance control.

Question 33

Sinoatrial (SA) node is located in?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: The sinoatrial (SA) node is the heart’s primary pacemaker and is located in the right atrium, near the junction with the superior vena cava (along the crista terminalis). From the SA node, electrical impulses spread across the atria to initiate atrial depolarization and contraction. The interventricular septum is associated with the AV bundle and bundle branches, not the SA node.

Question 34

Ischemic heart disease belongs to which NCD group?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease) results from reduced blood flow to the myocardium due to atherosclerotic narrowing or thrombosis of the coronary arteries. It is therefore classified within cardiovascular diseases in standard NCD groupings (e.g., WHO NCD categories). The other options represent different organ-system NCD groupings and do not primarily describe coronary perfusion disorders.

Question 35

Which part of the body never rests?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: The heart functions continuously throughout life to pump blood and maintain tissue perfusion; it does not “rest” in the way skeletal muscles do. While the heart has phases of relaxation (diastole), it remains active with each cardiac cycle without prolonged cessation. Eyes and most muscles can rest during sleep, and the liver’s activity varies with metabolic demand, but the heart must keep beating to sustain life.

Question 36

How many chambers are there in the heart of amphibians?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Most amphibians have a three-chambered heart consisting of two atria and one ventricle. This structure allows some mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood in the single ventricle, unlike the complete separation seen in most mammals and birds. Therefore, the correct choice is 3 chambers.

Question 37

The blood vessels which connect the artery and veins?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Capillaries form the microcirculation that directly links the arterial side (arterioles) to the venous side (venules). They are the primary site for exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products between blood and tissues due to their thin walls. Arterioles and venules are connecting segments, but the actual vessel network that bridges arteries and veins is the capillary bed. Therefore, the best answer is capillary.

Question 38

In left-sided heart failure, common symptom is?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Left-sided heart failure reduces left ventricular output, causing blood to back up into the pulmonary veins and capillaries. This increased hydrostatic pressure leads to pulmonary congestion and pulmonary edema, producing dyspnea, orthopnea, and crackles. Pedal edema, ascites, and hepatomegaly are more characteristic of right-sided heart failure due to systemic venous congestion.

Question 39

Total number of Chambers in human heart is ?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: The human heart has four chambers: right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, and left ventricle. The atria receive blood returning to the heart, and the ventricles pump blood out to the lungs and systemic circulation. This four-chamber design supports separation of oxygen-poor and oxygen-rich blood for efficient circulation.

Question 40

Right side of the heart contains?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: The right side of the heart (right atrium and right ventricle) receives systemic venous return via the superior and inferior vena cava, which is deoxygenated blood. It then pumps this blood to the lungs through the pulmonary artery for oxygenation. Therefore, the right side contains “impure” (deoxygenated) blood compared with the left side, which contains oxygenated blood.

Question 41

Which of the following is a hallmark symptom of left-sided congestive heart failure?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Left-sided heart failure primarily causes pulmonary congestion due to backup of blood into the pulmonary circulation, leading to impaired gas exchange. The classic hallmark symptom is dyspnea (often with orthopnea or paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea). Findings like peripheral edema, jugular venous distension, and hepatomegaly are more characteristic of right-sided heart failure from systemic venous congestion. Therefore, dyspnea best fits left-sided congestive heart failure.

Question 42

Which valve lies between left atrium and left ventricle?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: The mitral (bicuspid) valve is the left atrioventricular valve located between the left atrium and left ventricle, preventing backflow into the atrium during ventricular systole. The tricuspid valve is the right atrioventricular valve (right atrium to right ventricle). The pulmonary and aortic valves are semilunar valves located at the outflow tracts of the right and left ventricles, respectively.

Question 43

Study of heart is called...?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Cardiology is the medical specialty and field of study concerned with the heart and its diseases. Nephrology and renology relate to the kidneys, and pulmonology relates to the lungs. Therefore, the correct term for the study of the heart is cardiology.

Question 44

Normal blood pressure is?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: A resting adult blood pressure around 120/80 mmHg is traditionally taught as “normal” and corresponds to normal systolic pressure and diastolic pressure. A reading of 140/90 mmHg meets criteria for hypertension in many clinical guidelines and is not considered normal. While 110/65 mmHg can be normal for some individuals, the best single standard answer in basic nursing/medical MCQs is 120/80.

Question 45

Which condition causes fluid retention and swelling?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: Heart failure commonly leads to decreased cardiac output with activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, causing sodium and water retention. This increased intravascular volume raises venous pressures, promoting peripheral edema (swelling), especially in the legs and ankles. Diabetes and anemia do not directly cause edema as a primary feature, and hyperthyroidism is more typically associated with weight loss and heat intolerance rather than generalized fluid retention.

Question 46

Name the main organ of cardiovascular system?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: The heart is the primary organ of the cardiovascular system because it functions as the central pump that generates the pressure needed to circulate blood throughout the body. Arteries and veins are blood vessels that transport blood but are not the main organ. The lungs belong primarily to the respiratory system, although they interact closely with the cardiovascular system for gas exchange via pulmonary circulation.

Question 47

The first heart sound (S1) is due to closure of?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: S1 (“lub”) occurs at the beginning of systole and is produced by closure of the atrioventricular valves (mitral and tricuspid) as ventricular pressure rises above atrial pressure. In contrast, S2 (“dub”) is caused by closure of the semilunar valves (aortic and pulmonic) at the end of systole. Therefore, the best answer is closure of the atrioventricular valves.

Question 48

What is the normal pulse rate in adults per minute?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: A normal resting adult pulse rate is typically 60–100 beats per minute. Rates below 60 can be normal in well-conditioned athletes but are generally considered bradycardic in many adults, while rates above 100 are tachycardic at rest. The other ranges listed are more consistent with pediatric norms or abnormal adult tachycardia.

Question 49

Which fetal structure allows blood to bypass the lungs?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: In fetal circulation, the foramen ovale shunts oxygenated blood from the right atrium to the left atrium, bypassing the pulmonary circulation. The ductus arteriosus connects the pulmonary artery to the aorta, diverting most right ventricular output away from the lungs. The ductus venosus instead bypasses the liver by shunting umbilical venous blood into the inferior vena cava. Therefore, the structures that bypass the lungs are the ductus arteriosus and the foramen ovale.

Question 50

Which shunt becomes ligamentum venosum after birth?

Accepted Answer

Answer reason: The fetal ductus venosus is a shunt that bypasses the liver by directing oxygenated blood from the umbilical vein to the inferior vena cava. After birth, loss of placental flow leads to functional closure of this vessel and it fibroses into the ligamentum venosum. By contrast, the ductus arteriosus becomes the ligamentum arteriosum and the foramen ovale becomes the fossa ovalis.

Train with a large NCLEX question bank and jump into a full exam-style simulator

Cardiovascular System NCLEX Practice Test

Continue Learning