A&E II Exam 1 QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
Course
A&E
1. What is the primary function of the alveoli in the respiratory system?
A) To produce mucus
B) To exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide
C) To filter out pathogens
D) To humidify inhaled air
✅ Correct Answer: B) To exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide
Solution: The alveoli are tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs. Oxygen from
inhaled air diffuses into the blood, while carbon dioxide from the blood diffuses into the
alveoli to be exhaled.
2. Which part of the heart is responsible for pumping oxygenated blood to the
rest of the body?
A) Right atrium
B) Right ventricle
C) Left atrium
D) Left ventricle
✅ Correct Answer: D) Left ventricle
Solution: The left ventricle has the thickest muscle wall because it pumps oxygenated blood
into the aorta, which distributes it to the entire body.
3. What is the normal range for adult blood pressure?
A) 90/60 mmHg
B) 120/80 mmHg
C) 140/90 mmHg
D) 160/100 mmHg
✅ Correct Answer: B) 120/80 mmHg
Solution: A normal blood pressure reading is 120 mmHg systolic / 80 mmHg diastolic.
Readings above 140/90 indicate hypertension.
,4. Which electrolyte is most important for cardiac muscle contraction?
A) Sodium (Na⁺)
B) Calcium (Ca²⁺)
C) Potassium (K⁺)
D) Magnesium (Mg²⁺)
✅ Correct Answer: B) Calcium (Ca²⁺)
Solution: Calcium ions play a key role in the depolarization and contraction of heart muscle
cells. Low calcium levels can weaken heart contractions.
5. What is the purpose of the sinoatrial (SA) node?
A) To contract the ventricles
B) To regulate blood flow in arteries
C) To act as the pacemaker of the heart
D) To pump blood to the lungs
✅ Correct Answer: C) To act as the pacemaker of the heart
Solution: The SA node, located in the right atrium, generates electrical impulses that initiate
each heartbeat.
6. Which lung condition is characterized by chronic airflow obstruction and is
associated with smoking?
A) Pneumonia
B) Pulmonary embolism
C) Asthma
D) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
✅ Correct Answer: D) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Solution: COPD is a progressive lung disease that includes emphysema and chronic
bronchitis, making breathing difficult.
7. What is the primary function of hemoglobin in red blood cells?
A) To fight infections
B) To transport oxygen
,C) To break down glucose
D) To store energy
✅ Correct Answer: B) To transport oxygen
Solution: Hemoglobin binds to oxygen in the lungs and carries it to tissues throughout the
body.
8. Which condition results from a blockage in a coronary artery?
A) Stroke
B) Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
C) Hypertension
D) Aneurysm
✅ Correct Answer: B) Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
Solution: A heart attack occurs when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked, usually due to
a clot, leading to damage or death of heart muscle tissue.
9. What does an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) measure?
A) Blood pressure
B) Electrical activity of the heart
C) Lung function
D) Oxygen saturation
✅ Correct Answer: B) Electrical activity of the heart
Solution: An ECG records the electrical impulses that control heartbeats and helps detect
arrhythmias, heart attacks, and other cardiac conditions.
10. Which of the following best describes systole in the cardiac cycle?
A) The heart relaxes and fills with blood
B) The heart contracts and pumps blood out
C) The heart stops beating temporarily
D) The atria contract while ventricles relax
✅ Correct Answer: B) The heart contracts and pumps blood out
Solution: Systole refers to the phase when the heart muscles contract, pumping blood from
the ventricles into the arteries.
, 11. What is the function of the pleural cavity?
A) To store oxygen
B) To reduce friction between the lungs and chest wall
C) To trap dust and debris
D) To help with blood circulation
✅ Correct Answer: B) To reduce friction between the lungs and chest wall
Solution: The pleural cavity contains pleural fluid, which acts as a lubricant to prevent friction
as the lungs expand and contract.
12. Which of the following correctly describes the pathway of blood flow through the heart?
A) Right atrium → Right ventricle → Lungs → Left atrium → Left ventricle → Body
B) Left atrium → Left ventricle → Lungs → Right atrium → Right ventricle → Body
C) Right ventricle → Right atrium → Lungs → Left ventricle → Left atrium → Body
D) Left ventricle → Left atrium → Lungs → Right ventricle → Right atrium → Body
✅ Correct Answer: A) Right atrium → Right ventricle → Lungs → Left atrium → Left ventricle
→ Body
Solution: Blood returns from the body to the right atrium, moves to the right ventricle, and is
pumped to the lungs for oxygenation. It then enters the left atrium, moves to the left ventricle,
and is pumped to the body.
13. What is the main function of surfactant in the lungs?
A) To facilitate gas exchange
B) To keep alveoli from collapsing
C) To increase lung elasticity
D) To produce mucus
✅ Correct Answer: B) To keep alveoli from collapsing
Solution: Surfactant reduces surface tension in the alveoli, preventing them from collapsing
during exhalation.
14. Which of the following is the largest artery in the body?
A) Pulmonary artery
B) Aorta
SOLUTIONS
Course
A&E
1. What is the primary function of the alveoli in the respiratory system?
A) To produce mucus
B) To exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide
C) To filter out pathogens
D) To humidify inhaled air
✅ Correct Answer: B) To exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide
Solution: The alveoli are tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs. Oxygen from
inhaled air diffuses into the blood, while carbon dioxide from the blood diffuses into the
alveoli to be exhaled.
2. Which part of the heart is responsible for pumping oxygenated blood to the
rest of the body?
A) Right atrium
B) Right ventricle
C) Left atrium
D) Left ventricle
✅ Correct Answer: D) Left ventricle
Solution: The left ventricle has the thickest muscle wall because it pumps oxygenated blood
into the aorta, which distributes it to the entire body.
3. What is the normal range for adult blood pressure?
A) 90/60 mmHg
B) 120/80 mmHg
C) 140/90 mmHg
D) 160/100 mmHg
✅ Correct Answer: B) 120/80 mmHg
Solution: A normal blood pressure reading is 120 mmHg systolic / 80 mmHg diastolic.
Readings above 140/90 indicate hypertension.
,4. Which electrolyte is most important for cardiac muscle contraction?
A) Sodium (Na⁺)
B) Calcium (Ca²⁺)
C) Potassium (K⁺)
D) Magnesium (Mg²⁺)
✅ Correct Answer: B) Calcium (Ca²⁺)
Solution: Calcium ions play a key role in the depolarization and contraction of heart muscle
cells. Low calcium levels can weaken heart contractions.
5. What is the purpose of the sinoatrial (SA) node?
A) To contract the ventricles
B) To regulate blood flow in arteries
C) To act as the pacemaker of the heart
D) To pump blood to the lungs
✅ Correct Answer: C) To act as the pacemaker of the heart
Solution: The SA node, located in the right atrium, generates electrical impulses that initiate
each heartbeat.
6. Which lung condition is characterized by chronic airflow obstruction and is
associated with smoking?
A) Pneumonia
B) Pulmonary embolism
C) Asthma
D) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
✅ Correct Answer: D) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Solution: COPD is a progressive lung disease that includes emphysema and chronic
bronchitis, making breathing difficult.
7. What is the primary function of hemoglobin in red blood cells?
A) To fight infections
B) To transport oxygen
,C) To break down glucose
D) To store energy
✅ Correct Answer: B) To transport oxygen
Solution: Hemoglobin binds to oxygen in the lungs and carries it to tissues throughout the
body.
8. Which condition results from a blockage in a coronary artery?
A) Stroke
B) Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
C) Hypertension
D) Aneurysm
✅ Correct Answer: B) Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
Solution: A heart attack occurs when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked, usually due to
a clot, leading to damage or death of heart muscle tissue.
9. What does an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) measure?
A) Blood pressure
B) Electrical activity of the heart
C) Lung function
D) Oxygen saturation
✅ Correct Answer: B) Electrical activity of the heart
Solution: An ECG records the electrical impulses that control heartbeats and helps detect
arrhythmias, heart attacks, and other cardiac conditions.
10. Which of the following best describes systole in the cardiac cycle?
A) The heart relaxes and fills with blood
B) The heart contracts and pumps blood out
C) The heart stops beating temporarily
D) The atria contract while ventricles relax
✅ Correct Answer: B) The heart contracts and pumps blood out
Solution: Systole refers to the phase when the heart muscles contract, pumping blood from
the ventricles into the arteries.
, 11. What is the function of the pleural cavity?
A) To store oxygen
B) To reduce friction between the lungs and chest wall
C) To trap dust and debris
D) To help with blood circulation
✅ Correct Answer: B) To reduce friction between the lungs and chest wall
Solution: The pleural cavity contains pleural fluid, which acts as a lubricant to prevent friction
as the lungs expand and contract.
12. Which of the following correctly describes the pathway of blood flow through the heart?
A) Right atrium → Right ventricle → Lungs → Left atrium → Left ventricle → Body
B) Left atrium → Left ventricle → Lungs → Right atrium → Right ventricle → Body
C) Right ventricle → Right atrium → Lungs → Left ventricle → Left atrium → Body
D) Left ventricle → Left atrium → Lungs → Right ventricle → Right atrium → Body
✅ Correct Answer: A) Right atrium → Right ventricle → Lungs → Left atrium → Left ventricle
→ Body
Solution: Blood returns from the body to the right atrium, moves to the right ventricle, and is
pumped to the lungs for oxygenation. It then enters the left atrium, moves to the left ventricle,
and is pumped to the body.
13. What is the main function of surfactant in the lungs?
A) To facilitate gas exchange
B) To keep alveoli from collapsing
C) To increase lung elasticity
D) To produce mucus
✅ Correct Answer: B) To keep alveoli from collapsing
Solution: Surfactant reduces surface tension in the alveoli, preventing them from collapsing
during exhalation.
14. Which of the following is the largest artery in the body?
A) Pulmonary artery
B) Aorta
