PCCN Exam Prep: Latest Updated
Questions and Answers for Progressive
Care Certification |2025 LATEST
UPDATED.
What is the function of the cardiovascular system
to drive O2 to the cell so that the cell can make ATP for energy production
What is the formula for CARDIAC OUTPUT
Stroke volume x Heart Rate
CO = HR X SV ( Preload + Afterload + Contractility)
What is the term for the amount of blood that is pumped out of the ventricle each MINUTE?
Cardiac Output ( approximately 4 - 8 LPM )
What is the term for the amount of blood that is pumped out of the ventricle each BEAT?
Stroke Volume
What is the term for the number of contractions / minute?
Heart Rate
IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIPS TO KNOW
1. CO DECREASED -> HR INCREASES ( to maintain adequate stroke volume )
,2. CO INCREASED -> HR DECREASES ( as stroke volume decreases )
3. HR DECREASED -> SV DECREASES and CO DECREASES
4. HR INCREASES ( > 150 ) -> SV DECREASES and CO DECREASES
5. SV DECREASES -> CO DECREASES and HR INCREASES
6. SV INCREASES -> CO INCREASES and HR DECREASES
What is the term for the volume of blood ejected from the ventricle per minute adjusted for body
size
Cardiac Index
What is a normal cardiac index?
Normal = 2.5 to 4.4 L/min/m2
**Always utilize CI values on exam (especially for bigger patients)
What is a normal amount (mL/beat) for stroke volume?
60 to 100 mL
What is the term for the end-diastolic volume stretching the ventricle?
Preload
( increased fluid = increased stroke volume )
, What is the term for the pressure that the ventricle must OVERCOME in order to eject blood into the
circulatory system?
Afterload
What is the term for the inotropic state the cardiac muscle
Contractility
(how well the heart is contracted)
Preload is the function of which part of the circulatory system?
VEINS
FUNCTION OF VEINS = PRELOAD
What is the RIGHT VENTRICLE PRELOAD assessed by?
CVP (Central venous pressure)
(Normal is approx. 2 - 8 mmhg)
What is a normal central venous pressure ?
Approximately 2 - 8 mmhg
What is the LEFT VENTRICLE PRELOAD assessed by?
PAOP (Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure) / PAW pulmonary artery wedge pressure
-Swans ganns in placed wedge pressure (PA)
Questions and Answers for Progressive
Care Certification |2025 LATEST
UPDATED.
What is the function of the cardiovascular system
to drive O2 to the cell so that the cell can make ATP for energy production
What is the formula for CARDIAC OUTPUT
Stroke volume x Heart Rate
CO = HR X SV ( Preload + Afterload + Contractility)
What is the term for the amount of blood that is pumped out of the ventricle each MINUTE?
Cardiac Output ( approximately 4 - 8 LPM )
What is the term for the amount of blood that is pumped out of the ventricle each BEAT?
Stroke Volume
What is the term for the number of contractions / minute?
Heart Rate
IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIPS TO KNOW
1. CO DECREASED -> HR INCREASES ( to maintain adequate stroke volume )
,2. CO INCREASED -> HR DECREASES ( as stroke volume decreases )
3. HR DECREASED -> SV DECREASES and CO DECREASES
4. HR INCREASES ( > 150 ) -> SV DECREASES and CO DECREASES
5. SV DECREASES -> CO DECREASES and HR INCREASES
6. SV INCREASES -> CO INCREASES and HR DECREASES
What is the term for the volume of blood ejected from the ventricle per minute adjusted for body
size
Cardiac Index
What is a normal cardiac index?
Normal = 2.5 to 4.4 L/min/m2
**Always utilize CI values on exam (especially for bigger patients)
What is a normal amount (mL/beat) for stroke volume?
60 to 100 mL
What is the term for the end-diastolic volume stretching the ventricle?
Preload
( increased fluid = increased stroke volume )
, What is the term for the pressure that the ventricle must OVERCOME in order to eject blood into the
circulatory system?
Afterload
What is the term for the inotropic state the cardiac muscle
Contractility
(how well the heart is contracted)
Preload is the function of which part of the circulatory system?
VEINS
FUNCTION OF VEINS = PRELOAD
What is the RIGHT VENTRICLE PRELOAD assessed by?
CVP (Central venous pressure)
(Normal is approx. 2 - 8 mmhg)
What is a normal central venous pressure ?
Approximately 2 - 8 mmhg
What is the LEFT VENTRICLE PRELOAD assessed by?
PAOP (Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure) / PAW pulmonary artery wedge pressure
-Swans ganns in placed wedge pressure (PA)
