Exam 2 - BIOS252 / BIOS 252: Anatomy and
Physiology II with Lab – Chamberlain Actual Exam
Complete Questions & Rationales | A&P II Lab Skills
| Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Cardiovascular System
Q1: The heart wall consists of three distinct layers. Which layer forms the bulk of the
heart wall and is responsible for the powerful contractions that pump blood?
A. The endocardium, a thin layer of simple squamous epithelium
B. The epicardium, the outermost protective serous membrane
C. The myocardium, composed of cardiac muscle tissue [CORRECT]
D. The fibrous pericardium, which anchors the heart to surrounding structures
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The best answer is C. The myocardium is the thick middle layer made of
cardiac muscle, and its coordinated contractions generate the force needed to move
blood through the pulmonary and systemic circuits.
Q2: In the normal conduction pathway of the heart, which structure serves as the
intrinsic pacemaker and initiates each cardiac cycle?
A. The atrioventricular bundle (Bundle of His)
B. The Purkinje fibers
C. The sinoatrial node [CORRECT]
D. The atrioventricular node
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Remember that in A&P we look at homeostatic regulation, and the SA node
sets the rhythm by depolarizing first and sending the electrical signal across the atria to
trigger contraction.
Q3: On a standard EKG tracing, which wave represents ventricular depolarization?
A. The P wave
,B. The T wave
C. The QRS complex [CORRECT]
D. The PR interval
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: That matches the pathway because the QRS complex shows the electrical
impulse spreading through the ventricles, which causes them to depolarize and
contract.
Q4: A nursing student is calculating cardiac output for a patient whose heart rate is 72
beats per minute and stroke volume is 70 mL per beat. What is this patient's cardiac
output?
A. 4.2 L/min
B. 5.04 L/min [CORRECT]
C. 142 mL/min
D. 504 mL/min
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. Cardiac output equals heart rate times stroke volume,
so 72 multiplied by 70 gives 5,040 mL per minute, which is 5.04 liters per minute.
Q5: A patient experiences a sudden drop in blood pressure due to acute blood loss.
Which receptor system detects this change and initiates reflexes to restore blood
pressure?
A. Chemoreceptors in the aortic arch
B. Baroreceptors in the carotid sinuses and aortic arch [CORRECT]
C. Thermoreceptors in the hypothalamus
D. Proprioceptors in skeletal muscles
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This choice is correct because baroreceptors are stretch receptors located in
the carotid sinuses and aortic arch that constantly monitor arterial pressure and trigger
compensatory responses when it falls.
Q6: At the arterial end of a capillary, the net filtration pressure favors movement of fluid
out of the bloodstream and into the interstitial space. Which force primarily drives this
outward movement?
A. Interstitial fluid colloid osmotic pressure
B. Capillary hydrostatic pressure [CORRECT]
, C. Interstitial fluid hydrostatic pressure
D. Capillary colloid osmotic pressure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. Capillary hydrostatic pressure is the pushing force
generated by the heart that drives fluid and small solutes out through the capillary walls
at the arterial end.
Q7: Which structural feature is characteristic of arteries but not veins?
A. Valves that prevent backflow of blood
B. A thicker tunica media containing more smooth muscle and elastic fibers [CORRECT]
C. A larger lumen relative to wall thickness
D. Collapsible walls that accommodate changes in blood volume
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Remember that in A&P we look at homeostatic regulation, and arteries need
to withstand higher pressure, so they have a thick tunica media with abundant smooth
muscle and elastic tissue that veins simply do not possess.
Q8: During the cardiac cycle, which event occurs immediately after the P wave on an
EKG?
A. Closure of the aortic and pulmonary semilunar valves
B. Contraction of the ventricles and opening of the AV valves
C. Contraction of the atria and opening of the AV valves [CORRECT]
D. Relaxation of the atria and closure of the semilunar valves
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: That matches the pathway because the P wave signals atrial depolarization,
which leads directly to atrial contraction and the opening of the AV valves to allow
ventricular filling.
Q9: Stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system causes which effect on the heart?
A. Decreased heart rate and decreased contractility
B. Decreased heart rate and increased contractility
C. Increased heart rate and increased contractility [CORRECT]
D. Increased heart rate and decreased contractility
Correct Answer: C
Physiology II with Lab – Chamberlain Actual Exam
Complete Questions & Rationales | A&P II Lab Skills
| Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Cardiovascular System
Q1: The heart wall consists of three distinct layers. Which layer forms the bulk of the
heart wall and is responsible for the powerful contractions that pump blood?
A. The endocardium, a thin layer of simple squamous epithelium
B. The epicardium, the outermost protective serous membrane
C. The myocardium, composed of cardiac muscle tissue [CORRECT]
D. The fibrous pericardium, which anchors the heart to surrounding structures
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The best answer is C. The myocardium is the thick middle layer made of
cardiac muscle, and its coordinated contractions generate the force needed to move
blood through the pulmonary and systemic circuits.
Q2: In the normal conduction pathway of the heart, which structure serves as the
intrinsic pacemaker and initiates each cardiac cycle?
A. The atrioventricular bundle (Bundle of His)
B. The Purkinje fibers
C. The sinoatrial node [CORRECT]
D. The atrioventricular node
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Remember that in A&P we look at homeostatic regulation, and the SA node
sets the rhythm by depolarizing first and sending the electrical signal across the atria to
trigger contraction.
Q3: On a standard EKG tracing, which wave represents ventricular depolarization?
A. The P wave
,B. The T wave
C. The QRS complex [CORRECT]
D. The PR interval
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: That matches the pathway because the QRS complex shows the electrical
impulse spreading through the ventricles, which causes them to depolarize and
contract.
Q4: A nursing student is calculating cardiac output for a patient whose heart rate is 72
beats per minute and stroke volume is 70 mL per beat. What is this patient's cardiac
output?
A. 4.2 L/min
B. 5.04 L/min [CORRECT]
C. 142 mL/min
D. 504 mL/min
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. Cardiac output equals heart rate times stroke volume,
so 72 multiplied by 70 gives 5,040 mL per minute, which is 5.04 liters per minute.
Q5: A patient experiences a sudden drop in blood pressure due to acute blood loss.
Which receptor system detects this change and initiates reflexes to restore blood
pressure?
A. Chemoreceptors in the aortic arch
B. Baroreceptors in the carotid sinuses and aortic arch [CORRECT]
C. Thermoreceptors in the hypothalamus
D. Proprioceptors in skeletal muscles
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This choice is correct because baroreceptors are stretch receptors located in
the carotid sinuses and aortic arch that constantly monitor arterial pressure and trigger
compensatory responses when it falls.
Q6: At the arterial end of a capillary, the net filtration pressure favors movement of fluid
out of the bloodstream and into the interstitial space. Which force primarily drives this
outward movement?
A. Interstitial fluid colloid osmotic pressure
B. Capillary hydrostatic pressure [CORRECT]
, C. Interstitial fluid hydrostatic pressure
D. Capillary colloid osmotic pressure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is B. Capillary hydrostatic pressure is the pushing force
generated by the heart that drives fluid and small solutes out through the capillary walls
at the arterial end.
Q7: Which structural feature is characteristic of arteries but not veins?
A. Valves that prevent backflow of blood
B. A thicker tunica media containing more smooth muscle and elastic fibers [CORRECT]
C. A larger lumen relative to wall thickness
D. Collapsible walls that accommodate changes in blood volume
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Remember that in A&P we look at homeostatic regulation, and arteries need
to withstand higher pressure, so they have a thick tunica media with abundant smooth
muscle and elastic tissue that veins simply do not possess.
Q8: During the cardiac cycle, which event occurs immediately after the P wave on an
EKG?
A. Closure of the aortic and pulmonary semilunar valves
B. Contraction of the ventricles and opening of the AV valves
C. Contraction of the atria and opening of the AV valves [CORRECT]
D. Relaxation of the atria and closure of the semilunar valves
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: That matches the pathway because the P wave signals atrial depolarization,
which leads directly to atrial contraction and the opening of the AV valves to allow
ventricular filling.
Q9: Stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system causes which effect on the heart?
A. Decreased heart rate and decreased contractility
B. Decreased heart rate and increased contractility
C. Increased heart rate and increased contractility [CORRECT]
D. Increased heart rate and decreased contractility
Correct Answer: C
