WCU PHYS 261 Final Exam Review 2025 2026 – Verified Questions and Correct Answers – Human Physiology

WCU PHYS 261 Final Exam Review 2025–
2026 – Verified Questions and Correct
Answers – Human Physiology




SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR PHYSIOLOGY (Questions 1-25)

Question 1
The volume of blood pumped out of the heart from one ventricle during one
contraction is called:

A. End-diastolic volume (EDV)
B. End-systolic volume (ESV)
C. Stroke volume (SV)
D. Cardiac output (CO)

Correct ,,,ANSWER,,,: C. Stroke volume (SV)

Rationale:

• Option A is incorrect – End-diastolic volume is the volume of blood in the
ventricle available to be pumped out during one contraction, not the amount
actually pumped .
• Option B is incorrect – End-systolic volume is the volume of blood left in
the ventricle after it contracts .
• Option C is CORRECT – Stroke volume (SV) is the volume of blood
ejected from each ventricle during a contraction .

, • Option D is incorrect – Cardiac output is the product of heart rate and
stroke volume, representing total blood pumped per minute .




Question 2
The rapid depolarization phase of the action potentials of myocardial contractile
cells is due to which ion(s)?

A. Ca²⁺ only
B. K⁺ only
C. Na⁺ only
D. Both Ca²⁺ and Na⁺

Correct ,,,ANSWER,,,: C. Na⁺ only

Rationale:

• Option A is incorrect – Calcium influx contributes to the plateau phase, not
rapid depolarization.
• Option B is incorrect – Potassium efflux is responsible for repolarization,
not depolarization.
• Option C is CORRECT – The rapid depolarization phase of myocardial
contractile cells is due to sodium (Na⁺) influx through fast voltage-gated
sodium channels .
• Option D is incorrect – While calcium plays a role in cardiac muscle, it is
not responsible for the rapid upstroke.

,Question 3
The volume of blood in the ventricle available to be pumped out of the heart during
one contraction is called:

A. End-diastolic volume (EDV)
B. End-systolic volume (ESV)
C. Stroke volume (SV)
D. Afterload

Correct ,,,ANSWER,,,: A. End-diastolic volume (EDV)

Rationale:

• Option A is CORRECT – End-diastolic volume (EDV) is the volume of
blood in the ventricle at the end of diastole, just before contraction .
• Option B is incorrect – ESV is the blood remaining after contraction.
• Option C is incorrect – SV is the volume ejected during contraction (EDV -
ESV).
• Option D is incorrect – Afterload is the resistance the heart must overcome
to eject blood.




Question 4
The volume of blood left in the ventricle after it contracts is called:

A. End-diastolic volume (EDV)
B. End-systolic volume (ESV)
C. Stroke volume (SV)
D. Preload

Correct ,,,ANSWER,,,: B. End-systolic volume (ESV)

, Rationale:

• Option A is incorrect – EDV is the volume before contraction.
• Option B is CORRECT – End-systolic volume (ESV) is the volume of
blood remaining in the ventricle after systole (contraction) .
• Option C is incorrect – SV is the difference between EDV and ESV.
• Option D is incorrect – Preload is the degree of stretch before contraction,
related to EDV.




Question 5
The P wave of an ECG corresponds to:

A. Ventricular depolarization
B. Ventricular repolarization
C. Depolarization of the atria
D. AV node delay

Correct ,,,ANSWER,,,: C. Depolarization of the atria

Rationale:

• Option A is incorrect – Ventricular depolarization is represented by the
QRS complex .
• Option B is incorrect – Ventricular repolarization is represented by the T
wave.
• Option C is CORRECT – The P wave represents atrial depolarization, the
spread of electrical activity through the atria .
• Option D is incorrect – AV node delay occurs between the P wave and
QRS complex.