BIOD 331 Module 4 Exam: Cardiovascular Pathophysiology 2026/2027
UPDATE
1. Which of the following describes primary (essential) hypertension?
A. High blood pressure with no identifiable cause, representing 90-95% of cases
B. High blood pressure caused by an underlying renal disease
C. High blood pressure resulting from an endocrine disorder like Cushing syndrome
D. A sudden, severe increase in blood pressure above 180/120 mmHg
Answer: A
Rationale: Primary or essential hypertension refers to high blood pressure without a
specific identified secondary cause, and it accounts for the vast majority of hypertension
cases.
2. In the development of atherosclerosis, what is the initial step in the
formation of a plaque?
A. Rupture of the fibrous cap
B. Formation of a fatty streak
C. Endothelial injury and dysfunction
D. Calcification of the vessel wall
Answer: C
Rationale: Atherosclerosis typically begins with endothelial injury caused by factors like
smoking, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia, which then allows for lipid accumulation.
,3. Which clinical manifestation is most characteristic of Left-Sided Heart Failure?
A. Jugular venous distension (JVD)
B. Pulmonary congestion and orthopnea
C. Peripheral edema in the lower extremities
D. Hepatomegaly and ascites
Answer: B
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the pulmonary circulation,
leading to symptoms like dyspnea, crackles, and orthopnea.
4. A patient experiences chest pain that is predictable, occurs with exertion, and
is relieved by rest. This is known as:
A. Unstable angina
B. Stable angina
C. Prinzmetal (variant) angina
D. Myocardial infarction
Answer: B
Rationale: Stable angina is characterized by chest pain that occurs during activity and
subsides with rest or nitroglycerin, indicating a fixed coronary obstruction.
5. Which cardiac biomarker is the most specific and sensitive indicator of
myocardial necrosis (MI)?
A. Creatine Kinase (CK-MB)
B. Troponin I and T
C. Myoglobin
D. Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)
Answer: B
Rationale: Troponins are the gold standard for diagnosing MI because they are highly
specific to cardiac muscle and stay elevated for several days.
, 6. What is the primary pathophysiology behind Right-Sided Heart Failure?
A. The right ventricle fails, causing backup into the systemic venous system
B. The left ventricle is unable to pump blood to the systemic circulation
C. Increased pulmonary pressure causes the left atrium to enlarge
D. The heart cannot relax during diastole
Answer: A
Rationale: Right-sided failure results in systemic venous congestion, leading to peripheral
edema, JVD, and organ engorgement.
7. Which arrhythmia is characterized by a totally disorganized electrical activity
and the absence of a pulse?
A. Ventricular Fibrillation
B. First-degree Heart Block
C. Atrial Fibrillation
D. Sinus Tachycardia
Answer: A
Rationale: Ventricular fibrillation is a life-threatening arrhythmia where the ventricles
quiver instead of contracting, resulting in no cardiac output or pulse.
8. In the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS), what is the direct effect
of Angiotensin II?
A. Vasodilation and excretion of sodium
B. Potent vasoconstriction and stimulation of aldosterone release
C. Inhibition of ADH secretion
D. Decreased heart rate
Answer: B
Rationale: Angiotensin II is a powerful vasoconstrictor that raises blood pressure and
triggers aldosterone to conserve salt and water.
UPDATE
1. Which of the following describes primary (essential) hypertension?
A. High blood pressure with no identifiable cause, representing 90-95% of cases
B. High blood pressure caused by an underlying renal disease
C. High blood pressure resulting from an endocrine disorder like Cushing syndrome
D. A sudden, severe increase in blood pressure above 180/120 mmHg
Answer: A
Rationale: Primary or essential hypertension refers to high blood pressure without a
specific identified secondary cause, and it accounts for the vast majority of hypertension
cases.
2. In the development of atherosclerosis, what is the initial step in the
formation of a plaque?
A. Rupture of the fibrous cap
B. Formation of a fatty streak
C. Endothelial injury and dysfunction
D. Calcification of the vessel wall
Answer: C
Rationale: Atherosclerosis typically begins with endothelial injury caused by factors like
smoking, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia, which then allows for lipid accumulation.
,3. Which clinical manifestation is most characteristic of Left-Sided Heart Failure?
A. Jugular venous distension (JVD)
B. Pulmonary congestion and orthopnea
C. Peripheral edema in the lower extremities
D. Hepatomegaly and ascites
Answer: B
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the pulmonary circulation,
leading to symptoms like dyspnea, crackles, and orthopnea.
4. A patient experiences chest pain that is predictable, occurs with exertion, and
is relieved by rest. This is known as:
A. Unstable angina
B. Stable angina
C. Prinzmetal (variant) angina
D. Myocardial infarction
Answer: B
Rationale: Stable angina is characterized by chest pain that occurs during activity and
subsides with rest or nitroglycerin, indicating a fixed coronary obstruction.
5. Which cardiac biomarker is the most specific and sensitive indicator of
myocardial necrosis (MI)?
A. Creatine Kinase (CK-MB)
B. Troponin I and T
C. Myoglobin
D. Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)
Answer: B
Rationale: Troponins are the gold standard for diagnosing MI because they are highly
specific to cardiac muscle and stay elevated for several days.
, 6. What is the primary pathophysiology behind Right-Sided Heart Failure?
A. The right ventricle fails, causing backup into the systemic venous system
B. The left ventricle is unable to pump blood to the systemic circulation
C. Increased pulmonary pressure causes the left atrium to enlarge
D. The heart cannot relax during diastole
Answer: A
Rationale: Right-sided failure results in systemic venous congestion, leading to peripheral
edema, JVD, and organ engorgement.
7. Which arrhythmia is characterized by a totally disorganized electrical activity
and the absence of a pulse?
A. Ventricular Fibrillation
B. First-degree Heart Block
C. Atrial Fibrillation
D. Sinus Tachycardia
Answer: A
Rationale: Ventricular fibrillation is a life-threatening arrhythmia where the ventricles
quiver instead of contracting, resulting in no cardiac output or pulse.
8. In the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS), what is the direct effect
of Angiotensin II?
A. Vasodilation and excretion of sodium
B. Potent vasoconstriction and stimulation of aldosterone release
C. Inhibition of ADH secretion
D. Decreased heart rate
Answer: B
Rationale: Angiotensin II is a powerful vasoconstrictor that raises blood pressure and
triggers aldosterone to conserve salt and water.
