1. Which of the following is a common side effect of ACE inhibitors?
A. Weight gain.
B. Dry cough.
C. Increased potassium levels.
D. Hair loss.
2. What is the primary mechanism by which beta-blockers reduce blood pressure?
A. By increasing sodium and water retention.
B. By blocking the effects of adrenaline, decreasing heart rate and contractility.
C. By dilating blood vessels.
D. By inhibiting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.
3. Which of the following is a common symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD)?
A. Chest pain.
B. Intermittent claudication.
C. Shortness of breath.
D. Swelling in the face.
4. Which of the following is a common cause of secondary hypertension?
A. Genetic predisposition.
B. Obesity.
C. Kidney disease.
D. High salt intake.
5. What is the significance of elevated levels of troponin in the blood?
A. Indicates kidney damage.
B. Suggests liver inflammation.
C. Indicates myocardial injury.
D. Suggests a blood clotting disorder.
6. What is the Frank-Starling mechanism of the heart?
A. The ability of the heart to increase its force of contraction when venous return increases.
B. The process by which the heart reduces its force of contraction in response to increased afterload.
C. The mechanism by which the heart maintains a constant stroke volume despite changes in heart rate.
D. The hormonal regulation of heart rate in response to stress.
7. What is the primary goal of treatment for acute decompensated heart failure?
A. To increase blood pressure.
B. To reduce fluid overload and improve symptoms.
C. To increase heart rate.
D. To lower cholesterol levels.
8. Which of the following is the primary function of the sinoatrial (SA) node?
A. To delay the electrical impulse from the atria to the ventricles.
B. To initiate the electrical impulses that control the heart rate.
C. To conduct electrical impulses from the atria to the ventricles.
D. To regulate blood pressure through hormonal secretion.
9. Which of the following is a common complication of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
A. Stroke.
B. Pulmonary embolism.
C. Myocardial infarction.
D. Peripheral artery disease.
10. What is the mechanism of action of digoxin in treating heart failure?
A. It increases heart rate and blood pressure.
B. It inhibits the sodium-potassium pump, increasing intracellular calcium and contractility.
C. It blocks beta-adrenergic receptors, decreasing heart rate.
D. It dilates blood vessels, reducing afterload.
11. What is the significance of a prolonged QRS complex on an EKG?
A. Indicates atrial enlargement.
B. Suggests ventricular hypertrophy or conduction delay.
C. Indicates myocardial ischemia.
D. Suggests a normal heart.
12. What is the primary purpose of a cardiac stress test?
A. To measure the electrical activity of the heart at rest.
B. To assess the heart`s function under increased workload.
C. To evaluate the structure of the heart chambers and valves.
D. To monitor blood pressure during sleep.
13. Which heart valve is most commonly affected by rheumatic heart disease?
A. Tricuspid valve.
B. Pulmonary valve.
C. Mitral valve.
D. Aortic valve.
14. Which of the following best describes the pathophysiology of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)?
A. Reduced left ventricular contractility.
B. Impaired ventricular relaxation and filling.
C. Valvular stenosis causing increased afterload.
D. Increased blood volume leading to ventricular dilation.
15. Which of the following is a common sign of aortic stenosis?
A. Bounding peripheral pulses.
B. A harsh systolic murmur.
C. Widened pulse pressure.
D. Low blood pressure.
16. Which of the following lifestyle modifications is most effective in lowering blood pressure?
A. Increasing carbohydrate intake.
B. Reducing sodium intake.
C. Consuming more processed foods.
D. Avoiding exercise.
17. What is the role of HDL cholesterol in preventing atherosclerosis?
A. It deposits cholesterol in arterial walls.
B. It promotes the formation of blood clots.
C. It removes cholesterol from arterial walls and transports it to the liver.
D. It increases inflammation in the arteries.
18. Which of the following is a risk factor for developing infective endocarditis?
A. High blood pressure.
B. Pre-existing heart valve abnormalities.
C. Low cholesterol levels.
D. Regular exercise.
19. Which of the following is a modifiable risk factor for coronary artery disease?
A. Age.
B. Family history.
C. High cholesterol.
D. Gender.
20. What is the primary mechanism by which nitroglycerin relieves angina?
A. By increasing heart rate and cardiac output.
B. By dilating peripheral blood vessels, reducing preload and afterload.
C. By blocking beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart.
D. By increasing the contractility of the heart muscle.
21. Which of the following is a contraindication for the use of thrombolytic therapy in acute myocardial infarction?
A. Hypertension.
B. Recent surgery.
C. Advanced age.
D. History of bleeding disorder.
22. Which of the following best describes the role of baroreceptors in blood pressure regulation?
A. They detect changes in blood oxygen levels and adjust heart rate accordingly.
B. They monitor blood glucose levels and release hormones to regulate blood pressure.
C. They sense changes in blood pressure and signal the brain to adjust heart rate and vascular resistance.
D. They regulate blood volume by controlling sodium and water reabsorption in the kidneys.
23. What is the primary mechanism by which aspirin prevents cardiovascular events?
A. By lowering cholesterol levels.
B. By inhibiting platelet aggregation.
C. By dilating blood vessels.
D. By reducing blood pressure.
24. Which of the following EKG changes is most indicative of myocardial ischemia?
A. Prolonged PR interval.
B. ST segment elevation.
C. T wave inversion.
D. Shortened QT interval.
25. Which of the following is a characteristic sign of cardiac tamponade?
A. Bounding pulse.
B. Pulsus paradoxus.
C. Increased blood pressure.
D. Rapid heart rate with normal blood pressure.
26. What is the primary goal of treatment for atrial fibrillation?
A. To increase blood pressure.
B. To restore normal sinus rhythm and prevent thromboembolism.
C. To decrease heart rate below 50 bpm.
D. To increase cardiac output by increasing heart rate.
27. What is the primary cause of essential hypertension?
A. Kidney disease.
B. Endocrine disorders.
C. Genetic and environmental factors.
D. Atherosclerosis.
28. What is the purpose of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)?
A. To regulate blood pressure.
B. To prevent blood clots.
C. To deliver an electrical shock to restore normal heart rhythm.
D. To improve heart muscle contractility.
29. What is the most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest?
A. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
B. Coronary artery disease.
C. Valvular heart disease.
D. Congenital heart defects.
30. What is the primary mechanism by which statins lower cholesterol?
A. By increasing cholesterol absorption in the intestines.
B. By inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, reducing cholesterol synthesis in the liver.
C. By promoting the excretion of cholesterol in the bile.
D. By increasing HDL cholesterol levels.
