NR 283 Exam 2: (Latest 2026/2027 Update) Cardiac Function, Hemodynamics,
Respiratory Disorders, Hypertension, Dermatology | Q&A | Grade A | 100%
Correct (Verified Answers)
COMPREHENSIVE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY REVIEW
SUBJECT SOURCE FORMAT
Pathophysiology / Cardiology / NR 283 Exam 2 2026/2027 Q&A Guide with Clinical Rationale
Pulmonology / Dermatology
Q1
What is tachycardia?
CORRECT ANSWER Abnormally rapid heart rate - above 100 beats per minute
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Tachycardia can be physiologic (exercise, fever, anxiety) or pathologic (heart failure, hyperthyroidism, arrhythmias).
● Sustained tachycardia increases myocardial oxygen demand and may precipitate angina or heart failure.
Q2
What is bradycardia?
CORRECT ANSWER Abnormally slow heart rate - under 60 beats per minute
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Bradycardia may be normal in athletes or pathologic in heart block, hypothyroidism, or medication effect.
● Symptomatic bradycardia (weakness, dizziness, hypotension) may require atropine or pacemaker.
Q3
What is preload?
CORRECT ANSWER Volume of blood in ventricles at end of diastole (end-diastolic volume)
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Preload determines the stretch on cardiac myocytes before contraction.
● Increased preload = increased stroke volume (Frank-Starling law).
● Increased in hypervolemia, regurgitant valve lesions, and heart failure.
, Q4
What is afterload?
CORRECT ANSWER Resistance against which the left ventricle must push blood out (systemic vascular
resistance)
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Increased afterload (hypertension, aortic stenosis) increases myocardial workload and oxygen demand.
● Afterload reduction (ACE inhibitors, ARBs, hydralazine) is key in heart failure management.
Q5
What is systole?
CORRECT ANSWER Contraction of the heart; provides increase in pressure to eject blood
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Systole corresponds to S1 heart sound (closure of mitral and tricuspid valves).
● Ejection fraction is the percentage of blood ejected during systole (normal 55-70%).
Q6
What is diastole?
CORRECT ANSWER Relaxation of the heart; required for filling chambers
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Diastole corresponds to S2 heart sound (closure of aortic and pulmonic valves).
● Diastolic dysfunction occurs when the ventricles do not relax properly (common in hypertension).
Q7
When is preload increased?
CORRECT ANSWER Hypervolemia, regurgitation of cardiac valves, heart failure
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● In heart failure, increased preload is compensatory but leads to pulmonary congestion in left-sided failure.
● Valvular regurgitation increases preload because blood flows backward into the ventricle during diastole.
Q8
When is afterload increased?
CORRECT ANSWER Hypertension, vasoconstriction
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Afterload is the force the ventricle must overcome to eject blood.
● Vasoconstriction increases afterload; vasodilation decreases afterload.
Respiratory Disorders, Hypertension, Dermatology | Q&A | Grade A | 100%
Correct (Verified Answers)
COMPREHENSIVE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY REVIEW
SUBJECT SOURCE FORMAT
Pathophysiology / Cardiology / NR 283 Exam 2 2026/2027 Q&A Guide with Clinical Rationale
Pulmonology / Dermatology
Q1
What is tachycardia?
CORRECT ANSWER Abnormally rapid heart rate - above 100 beats per minute
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Tachycardia can be physiologic (exercise, fever, anxiety) or pathologic (heart failure, hyperthyroidism, arrhythmias).
● Sustained tachycardia increases myocardial oxygen demand and may precipitate angina or heart failure.
Q2
What is bradycardia?
CORRECT ANSWER Abnormally slow heart rate - under 60 beats per minute
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Bradycardia may be normal in athletes or pathologic in heart block, hypothyroidism, or medication effect.
● Symptomatic bradycardia (weakness, dizziness, hypotension) may require atropine or pacemaker.
Q3
What is preload?
CORRECT ANSWER Volume of blood in ventricles at end of diastole (end-diastolic volume)
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Preload determines the stretch on cardiac myocytes before contraction.
● Increased preload = increased stroke volume (Frank-Starling law).
● Increased in hypervolemia, regurgitant valve lesions, and heart failure.
, Q4
What is afterload?
CORRECT ANSWER Resistance against which the left ventricle must push blood out (systemic vascular
resistance)
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Increased afterload (hypertension, aortic stenosis) increases myocardial workload and oxygen demand.
● Afterload reduction (ACE inhibitors, ARBs, hydralazine) is key in heart failure management.
Q5
What is systole?
CORRECT ANSWER Contraction of the heart; provides increase in pressure to eject blood
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Systole corresponds to S1 heart sound (closure of mitral and tricuspid valves).
● Ejection fraction is the percentage of blood ejected during systole (normal 55-70%).
Q6
What is diastole?
CORRECT ANSWER Relaxation of the heart; required for filling chambers
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Diastole corresponds to S2 heart sound (closure of aortic and pulmonic valves).
● Diastolic dysfunction occurs when the ventricles do not relax properly (common in hypertension).
Q7
When is preload increased?
CORRECT ANSWER Hypervolemia, regurgitation of cardiac valves, heart failure
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● In heart failure, increased preload is compensatory but leads to pulmonary congestion in left-sided failure.
● Valvular regurgitation increases preload because blood flows backward into the ventricle during diastole.
Q8
When is afterload increased?
CORRECT ANSWER Hypertension, vasoconstriction
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Afterload is the force the ventricle must overcome to eject blood.
● Vasoconstriction increases afterload; vasodilation decreases afterload.
