NR 283 Exam 2 Review: (Latest 2026/2027 Update) Cardiac Conduction, Heart
Failure, Renal Disorders, Fluid/Electrolytes, Neurology | Q&A | Grade A | 100%
Correct (Verified Answers)
COMPREHENSIVE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY REVIEW
SUBJECT SOURCE FORMAT
Pathophysiology / Cardiology / NR 283 Exam 2 Review 2026/2027 Q&A Guide with Clinical Rationale
Nephrology / Neurology / Fluid &
Electrolytes
Q1
What is the primary function of the SA node in the heart?
C) To initiate electrical impulses that set the rhythm and rate of the heart;
CORRECT ANSWER
"pacemaker" of the heart
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● The SA node generates electrical impulses at 60-100 bpm, establishing normal sinus rhythm.
● It is located in the right atrium and is the primary pacemaker.
● Dysfunction can lead to bradycardia or tachycardia requiring pacemaker placement.
Q2
What is the role of the AV node in the cardiac conduction system?
CORRECT ANSWER C) To slow the electrical signal before it enters the ventricles
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● The AV node delays impulse conduction by approximately 0.1 seconds.
● This delay allows the atria to fully contract and empty blood into the ventricles before ventricular contraction.
● AV node dysfunction can cause heart block.
Q3
Which valves make up the S2 sound?
CORRECT ANSWER 1. Aortic valve; 2. Pulmonic valve
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● S2 is the "dub" sound of ventricular relaxation (diastole).
● Closure of aortic and pulmonic (semilunar) valves produces S2.
● Splitting of S2 can occur with inspiration or certain cardiac conditions.
, Q4
Which valves make up the S1 sound?
CORRECT ANSWER 1. Mitral (bicuspid) valve; 2. Tricuspid valve
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● S1 is the "lub" sound of ventricular contraction (systole).
● Closure of mitral and tricuspid (atrioventricular) valves produces S1.
● A loud S1 may indicate mitral stenosis; a soft S1 may indicate heart failure.
Q5
What is the term used to describe the filling of the ventricles with blood?
CORRECT ANSWER B) Preload
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Preload is the volume of blood in the ventricles at the end of diastole (end-diastolic volume).
● Increased preload = increased stroke volume (Frank-Starling law).
● Conditions with increased preload: heart failure, fluid overload, regurgitant valve lesions.
Q6
Afterload refers to:
CORRECT ANSWER A) The amount of pressure needed to pump blood out of the ventricles; resistance
the left ventricle must overcome to pump blood into circulation
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Afterload is the systemic vascular resistance (SVR) against which the left ventricle pumps.
● Increased afterload (hypertension, aortic stenosis) increases myocardial workload and oxygen demand.
● Afterload reduction (vasodilators) is a key treatment for heart failure and hypertension.
Q7
Which formula correctly represents cardiac output (CO)?
CORRECT ANSWER C) CO = HR x SV (Stroke Volume)
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Normal CO is 4-8 L/min in adults.
● Cardiac index = CO / body surface area (normal 2.5-4.0 L/min/m²).
● Low CO causes fatigue, hypotension, and end-organ dysfunction.
Failure, Renal Disorders, Fluid/Electrolytes, Neurology | Q&A | Grade A | 100%
Correct (Verified Answers)
COMPREHENSIVE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY REVIEW
SUBJECT SOURCE FORMAT
Pathophysiology / Cardiology / NR 283 Exam 2 Review 2026/2027 Q&A Guide with Clinical Rationale
Nephrology / Neurology / Fluid &
Electrolytes
Q1
What is the primary function of the SA node in the heart?
C) To initiate electrical impulses that set the rhythm and rate of the heart;
CORRECT ANSWER
"pacemaker" of the heart
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● The SA node generates electrical impulses at 60-100 bpm, establishing normal sinus rhythm.
● It is located in the right atrium and is the primary pacemaker.
● Dysfunction can lead to bradycardia or tachycardia requiring pacemaker placement.
Q2
What is the role of the AV node in the cardiac conduction system?
CORRECT ANSWER C) To slow the electrical signal before it enters the ventricles
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● The AV node delays impulse conduction by approximately 0.1 seconds.
● This delay allows the atria to fully contract and empty blood into the ventricles before ventricular contraction.
● AV node dysfunction can cause heart block.
Q3
Which valves make up the S2 sound?
CORRECT ANSWER 1. Aortic valve; 2. Pulmonic valve
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● S2 is the "dub" sound of ventricular relaxation (diastole).
● Closure of aortic and pulmonic (semilunar) valves produces S2.
● Splitting of S2 can occur with inspiration or certain cardiac conditions.
, Q4
Which valves make up the S1 sound?
CORRECT ANSWER 1. Mitral (bicuspid) valve; 2. Tricuspid valve
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● S1 is the "lub" sound of ventricular contraction (systole).
● Closure of mitral and tricuspid (atrioventricular) valves produces S1.
● A loud S1 may indicate mitral stenosis; a soft S1 may indicate heart failure.
Q5
What is the term used to describe the filling of the ventricles with blood?
CORRECT ANSWER B) Preload
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Preload is the volume of blood in the ventricles at the end of diastole (end-diastolic volume).
● Increased preload = increased stroke volume (Frank-Starling law).
● Conditions with increased preload: heart failure, fluid overload, regurgitant valve lesions.
Q6
Afterload refers to:
CORRECT ANSWER A) The amount of pressure needed to pump blood out of the ventricles; resistance
the left ventricle must overcome to pump blood into circulation
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Afterload is the systemic vascular resistance (SVR) against which the left ventricle pumps.
● Increased afterload (hypertension, aortic stenosis) increases myocardial workload and oxygen demand.
● Afterload reduction (vasodilators) is a key treatment for heart failure and hypertension.
Q7
Which formula correctly represents cardiac output (CO)?
CORRECT ANSWER C) CO = HR x SV (Stroke Volume)
CLINICAL RATIONALE
● Normal CO is 4-8 L/min in adults.
● Cardiac index = CO / body surface area (normal 2.5-4.0 L/min/m²).
● Low CO causes fatigue, hypotension, and end-organ dysfunction.
