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Question 1
Incorrect
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In cardiac muscle, which of the following is directly responsible for the release of Ca2+ stored in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (calcium-induced calcium release)?
Your Answer: Ca2+ entry from extracellular fluid
Correct Answer: Ryanodine receptor (RyR)
Explanation:Ryanodine receptor (RyR) is a ligand-gated Ca2+ channel with Ca2+ as its natural ligand. In skeletal muscle, Ca2+ entry from ECF by this route is not required for Ca2+ release. Instead, the DHPR that serves as the voltage sensor unlocks release of Ca2+ from the nearby SR via physical interaction with the RyR. The release is amplified through ca-induced ca release. However, in cardiac muscle, it is the influx of extracellular Ca2+ through the voltage-sensitive DHPR in the T system that triggers ca-induced ca release trough the RyR at the SR.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 2
Incorrect
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Select the correct statement regarding the 4th heart sound, it?
Your Answer: Occurs after the second heart sound.
Correct Answer: Can be heard in atrial systole.
Explanation:The fourth heart sound is not normally audible in a normal adult. It occurs as a consequence of ventricular hypertrophy. It is caused by filling of the ventricle by atrial systole.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 3
Incorrect
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Xanthines such as caffeine and theophylline are positively inotropic due to:
Your Answer: Inhibition of Na/K ATPase in the myocardium
Correct Answer: Inhibition of cAMP breakdown
Explanation:Xanthines exert their positive inotropic effect by inhibiting the breakdown of the cAMP resulting in stronger and sustained contractions.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 4
Incorrect
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Which statement about the 2nd heart sound is true?
Your Answer: A split 2nd heart sound is always pathological.
Correct Answer: It is caused by closure of the aortic and pulmonary valves.
Explanation:The second heart sound is produced due to closure of the aortic and pulmonary valves. It is a high pitched dub sound.
Normally the aortic closure sound (A2) occurs prior to the pulmonic closure sound (P2), and the interval between the two (splitting) widens on inspiration and narrows on expiration. With quiet respiration, A2 will normally precede P2 by 0.02 to 0.08 second (mean, 0.03 to 0.04 sec) with inspiration. In younger subjects inspiratory splitting averages 0.04 to 0.05 second during quiet respiration. With expiration, A2 and P2 may be superimposed and are rarely split as much as 0.04 second. If the second sound is split by greater than 0.04 second on expiration, it is usually abnormal. Therefore, the presence of audible splitting during expiration (i.e., the ability to hear two distinct sounds during expiration) is of greater significance at the bedside in identifying underlying cardiac pathology than is the absolute inspiratory increase in the A2–P2 interval.
The respiratory variation of the second heart sound can be categorized as follows: (1) normal (physiologic) splitting; (2) persistent (audible expiratory) splitting, with normal respiratory variation; (3) persistent splitting without respiratory variation (fixed splitting); and (4) reversed (paradoxical) splitting.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 5
Incorrect
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Which of the following affects the magnitude of the action potential?
Your Answer: Extracellular Na+/K+ ratio
Correct Answer: Changes in the external Na+ concentration
Explanation:The magnitude of the action potential is determined by the sodium current. Increase in external sodium will result in increased influx of sodium and hence generation of a stronger action potential.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 6
Incorrect
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Coronary arteries fill up during
Your Answer: Isovolumetric contraction
Correct Answer: Diastole
Explanation:During contraction of the ventricular myocardium (systole), the subendocardial coronary vessels (the vessels that enter the myocardium) are compressed due to the high ventricular pressures. This compression results in momentary retrograde blood flow (i.e., blood flows backward toward the aorta) which further inhibits perfusion of myocardium during systole. However, the epicardial coronary vessels (the vessels that run along the outer surface of the heart) remain open. Because of this, blood flow in the sub endocardium stops during ventricular contraction. As a result, most myocardial perfusion occurs during heart relaxation (diastole) when the subendocardial coronary vessels are open and under lower pressure.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 7
Incorrect
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Blood flow to the subendocardial portions of the left ventricular muscle occurs mainly during:
Your Answer: Isovolumetric ventricular relaxation
Correct Answer: Diastole
Explanation:The sub endocardium receives the least amount of blood from the coronary arteries. During systole the coronary arteries collapse as a result of the pressure from contraction that is exerted on them. During diastole the heart muscle relaxes and the pressure on the coronary vessels is relieved allowing blood to flow through them to the sub endocardium.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 8
Incorrect
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What is the main reason for checking the urea and electrolytes prior to commencing a patient on amiodarone?
Your Answer: To detect hyperkalaemia
Correct Answer: To detect hypokalaemia
Explanation:All antiarrhythmic drugs have the potential to cause arrhythmias. Coexistent hypokalaemia significantly increases this risk.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 9
Incorrect
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Concerning S3, which of the following statements is INCORRECT?
Your Answer: Normal in children
Correct Answer: Coincide with atrial contraction
Explanation:A third heart sound also called a ventricular gallop occurs at the beginning of diastole after S2 and is lower in pitch than S1 or S2 as it is not of valvular origin. The third heart sound is benign in youth, some trained athletes, and sometimes in pregnancy but if it re-emerges later in life it may signal cardiac problems, such as a failing left ventricle as in dilated congestive heart failure (CHF). S3 is thought to be caused by the oscillation of blood back and forth between the walls of the ventricles initiated by blood rushing in from the atria. The reason the third heart sound does not occur until the middle third of diastole is probably that during the early part of diastole, the ventricles are not filled sufficiently to create enough tension for reverberation. It may also be a result of tensing of the chordae tendineae during rapid filling and expansion of the ventricle. In other words, an S3 heart sound indicates increased volume of blood within the ventricle. An S3 heart sound is best heard with the bell-side of the stethoscope (used for lower frequency sounds). A left-sided S3 is best heard in the left lateral decubitus position and at the apex of the heart, which is normally located in the 5th left intercostal space at the midclavicular line. A right-sided S3 is best heard at the lower-left sternal border. The way to distinguish between a left and right-sided S3 is to observe whether it increases in intensity with inhalation or exhalation. A right-sided S3 will increase on inhalation, while a left-sided S3 will increase on exhalation.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 10
Correct
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Which of the following statements is true regarding pulsus alternans?
Your Answer: It is found in association with a third heart sound
Explanation:Pulsus alternans is a physical finding with arterial pulse waveform showing alternating strong and weak beats. It is almost always indicative of left ventricular systolic impairment, and carries a poor prognosis. A pathological third heart sound is usually associated.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 11
Incorrect
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Regarding cardiac contractility, catecholamines exert their inotropic effect via:
Your Answer: Reduced intracellular Ca2+
Correct Answer: Β1-adrenergic receptors and gs
Explanation:Catecholamines exert their inotropic effect on the heart via the B1 adrenergic receptors and Gs, stimulating adenyl cyclase and increasing the production of cAMP.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 12
Incorrect
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The most resistant area in the brain to hypoxia is:
Your Answer: Thalamus
Correct Answer: Brain stem
Explanation:The structures in the brainstem are more resistant to hypoxia than the cerebral cortex and the rest of the brain structures.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 13
Incorrect
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Cholinergic nerves from the vagus innervate the SA and AV nodes via which receptor in the heart?
Your Answer: B1 receptor
Correct Answer: M2 receptor
Explanation:M2 receptor is found in the heart. M3 and M4 are associated with smooth muscle.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 14
Incorrect
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The hyperpolarization phase of pacemaker cells is dominated by ____ current.
Your Answer: PO4-
Correct Answer: K+
Explanation:The hyperpolarization phase is a continuation of the repolarization phase but the membrane potential dips below the resting membrane potential. This results due to the fact that the K+ channels take a longer time to close than the Na+ channels. Hence efflux of the K+ will result in hyperpolarization.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 15
Correct
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Concerning surface anatomy, where is the aortic valve found?
Your Answer: Situated in the left third intercostal space underneath the sternum
Explanation:The aortic valve is situated in the left 3rd intercostal space just beneath the sternum.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 16
Incorrect
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Xanthines (for example Caffeine), exhibit their positive inotropic effect by:
Your Answer: Stimulating the sympathetic catecholamine release
Correct Answer: Inhibiting the breakdown cAMP
Explanation:Xanthines exert their positive inotropic effect by inhibiting the breakdown of the cAMP resulting in stronger and sustained contraction.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 17
Correct
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Calcium is mobilized from the sarcoplasmic reticulum through:
Your Answer: Ryanodine receptor (RyR2) calcium release channels
Explanation:During the plateau phase of the action potential, calcium from the extracellular fluid enters through the L type of calcium channels. This entry triggers the release of more calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum via the ryanodine receptors. As a result intracellular calcium increases binding to troponin C resulting in contraction.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 18
Incorrect
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The following products of the vascular endothelium produce vasodilation except:
Your Answer: Nitrous oxide
Correct Answer: Endothelin
Explanation:Endothelin: This is incorrect in the context of vasodilation. Endothelin is actually a potent vasoconstrictor produced by the endothelium, leading to the narrowing of blood vessels and increased blood pressure.
Nitrous oxide (Nitric oxide): This is correct for vasodilation. Nitric oxide is a powerful vasodilator produced by the endothelium, which helps relax and widen blood vessels.
Prostacyclin: This is correct for vasodilation. Prostacyclin (PGI2) is a vasodilator and inhibits platelet aggregation, helping to maintain blood flow and reduce clot formation.
Endothelial-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF): This is correct for vasodilation. EDHF causes vasodilation by hyperpolarizing the smooth muscle cells of blood vessels.
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF): This is correct for vasodilation. VEGF primarily promotes the growth of new blood vessels but also has vasodilatory effects through nitric oxide production.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 19
Incorrect
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Which one of the following is a risk factor for torsade de pointes?
Your Answer: Hyponatraemia
Correct Answer: Hypothermia
Explanation:The following is a list of factors associated with an increased tendency toward torsades de pointes:- Hypokalaemia (low blood potassium)- Hypomagnesemia (low blood magnesium)- Hypocalcaemia (low blood calcium)- Bradycardia (slow heartbeat)- Heart failure- Left ventricular hypertrophy- Hypothermia- Subarachnoid haemorrhage- Hypothyroidism
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 20
Incorrect
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Which of the following is first to rise following myocardial infarction?
Your Answer: Creatine phosphokinase
Correct Answer: Myoglobin
Explanation:Myoglobin, is a sensitive indicator of muscle injury and is first to rise following MI within two hours but is nonspecific.Troponin and CK-MB both begin to rise approximately three hours after MI. The cardiac troponins T and I which are released within 4–6 hours of an attack of MI and remain elevated for up to 2 weeks, have nearly complete tissue specificity and are now the preferred markers for assessing myocardial damage.Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) begins to rise approximately 12 hours after MI.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 21
Incorrect
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Relaxation of the cardiac muscle at the actin-myosin cross bridges is initiated by binding of which molecule to the exposed site on the myosin.
Your Answer: None of the above
Correct Answer: ATP
Explanation:A crossbridge is a myosin projection, consisting of two myosin heads, that extends from the thick filaments. Each myosin head has two binding sites: one for ATP and another for actin. The binding of ATP to a myosin head detaches myosin from actin, thereby allowing myosin to bind to another actin molecule. Once attached, the ATP is hydrolysed by myosin, which uses the released energy to move into the cocked position whereby it binds weakly to a part of the actin binding site.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 22
Incorrect
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Describe the location of the SA node:
Your Answer: Found in the junction between the IVC and the right atrium
Correct Answer: Junction of the SVC and right atrium
Explanation:Anatomically the SA node is located at the junction of the superior vena cava and the right atrium.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 23
Incorrect
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How does pregnancy affect the cardiac output of a patient?
Your Answer: Decreased cardiac output due to decrease in stroke volume
Correct Answer: Increased cardiac output due to increase in heart rate and stroke volume
Explanation:Cardiac Output increases to a similar degree as the blood volume. During the first trimester cardiac output is 30-40% higher than in the non-pregnant state. Steady rises are shown on Doppler echocardiography, from an average of 6.7 litres/minute at 8-11 weeks to about 8.7 litres/minute flow at 36-39 weeks; they are due, primarily, to an increase in stroke volume (35%) and, to a lesser extent, to a more rapid heart rate (15%). There is a steady reduction in systemic vascular resistance (SVR) which contributes towards the hyperdynamic circulation observed in pregnancy
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 24
Incorrect
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The areas of extensive series of sarcoplasmic folds known as intercalated discs always occur at what portion of the muscle fiber?
Your Answer: I band
Correct Answer: Z lines
Explanation:The muscle fibers of the heart branch and interdigitate, but one complete unit is surrounded by a cell membrane. The place where one muscle fiber abuts the other, the cell membrane of both the fibers run parallel to each other through a series of extensive folds. These areas always occur on the Z lines and are known as intercalated discs.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 25
Incorrect
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What is a characteristic findings on ECG in hyperkalaemia?
Your Answer: Shortened QT interval
Correct Answer: Tall, tented T waves
Explanation:Hyperkalaemia leads to:
– Prolonged PR interval
– Small P waves
– Tall, tented T waves
– Widened QRS complexes and eventually asystole.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 26
Correct
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The coronary arteries supply which part of the heart’s subendocardial region exclusively in diastole?
Your Answer: Left ventricle
Explanation:It is only during diastole that the blood flows to the subendocardial portion of the left ventricle, as the heart muscle relaxes and the coronary arteries regain their patency.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 27
Incorrect
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What is the effect of catecholamines (i.e. increased heart rate) on the pressure volume loop?
Your Answer: Stroke volume is enormous
Correct Answer: Shifts the diastolic pressure curve upward and leftward
Explanation:Catecholamines have a positive ionotropic and chronotropic effect on the heart. The ventricles develop greater tension during systole resulting in an increase in the stroke volume. The increase in stroke volume results in a decrease in the end diastolic volume. This pushes the loop towards the left and upwards.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 28
Incorrect
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Which of the following factors serve to decrease cardiac output?
Your Answer: Pregnancy
Correct Answer: Standing from a lying position
Explanation:Sleep has no effect on the cardiac output. Anxiety, excitement, increased body temperature and pregnancy will increase the cardiac output. Standing from a lying position will decrease the cardiac output transiently.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 29
Incorrect
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Depolarization of the T tubule membrane activates the sarcoplasmic reticulum via which receptors?
Your Answer: Ryanodine receptors
Correct Answer: Dihydropyridine receptors
Explanation:Action potentials are transmitted to the fibrils of a fiber through the T tubule system. It triggers the release of Ca 2+ form the terminal cisterns. Depolarization of the T tubules activates the sarcoplasmic reticulum through the dihydropyridine receptors.
Dihydropyridine receptors (DHPRs), are voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, and ryanodine receptors (RyRs), which are intracellular Ca2+ release channels, are expressed in diverse cell types, including skeletal and cardiac muscle.
Ryanodine receptors (RyRs) are located in the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum membrane and are responsible for the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores during excitation-contraction coupling in both cardiac and skeletal muscle.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 30
Incorrect
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Initial depolarization of cardiac muscle is due to influx of:
Your Answer:
Correct Answer: Na+
Explanation:Initial depolarization of the cardiac muscle results from opening of the sodium voltage gated channels. This results in the influx of sodium and an increase in the membrane potential towards threshold. Potassium efflux results in repolarization.
The cardiac action potential has 5 phases:
- Phase 0—depolarization because of the opening of fast sodium channels. Potassium flux also decreases.
- Phase 1—partial repolarization because of a rapid decrease in sodium ion passage as fast sodium channels close.
- Phase 2—plateau phase in which the movement of calcium ions out of the cell, maintains depolarization.
- Phase 3—repolarization, sodium, and calcium channels all close and membrane potential returns to baseline.
- Phase 4—resting membrane potential (−90 mV), resulting from the activity of the Na+/K+ ATPase pump which creates a negative intracellular potential because of the exchange of three sodium ions for only two potassium ions.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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SESSION STATS - PERFORMANCE PER SPECIALTY
