NEWEST PCCN EXAM / 2024 PCCN ACTUAL EXAM WITH
REAL QUESTIONS AND WELL ELABORATED ANSWERS
(100% CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS) A NEW UPDATED
VERSION |GUARANTEED SUCCESS
What is the function of the cardiovascular system - ANSWER: to drive O2 to the cell
so that the cell can make ATP for energy production
What is the formula for CARDIAC OUTPUT - ANSWER: 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? - ANSWER: Cardiac Output ( approximately 4 - 8 LPM )
What is the term for the amount of blood that is pumped out of the ventricle each
BEAT? - ANSWER: Stroke Volume
What is the term for the number of contractions / minute? - ANSWER: Heart Rate
IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIPS TO KNOW - ANSWER: 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 - ANSWER: Cardiac Index
What is a normal cardiac index? - ANSWER: 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? - ANSWER: 60 to 100 mL
What is the term for the end-diastolic volume stretching the ventricle? - ANSWER:
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? - ANSWER: Afterload
What is the term for the inotropic state the cardiac muscle - ANSWER: Contractility
(how well the heart is contracted)
Preload is the function of which part of the circulatory system? - ANSWER: VEINS
FUNCTION OF VEINS = PRELOAD
What is the RIGHT VENTRICLE PRELOAD assessed by? - ANSWER: CVP (Central
venous pressure)
(Normal is approx. 2 - 8 mmhg)
What is a normal central venous pressure ? - ANSWER: Approximately 2 - 8 mmhg
What is the LEFT VENTRICLE PRELOAD assessed by? - ANSWER: PAOP (Pulmonary
artery occlusion pressure) / PAW pulmonary artery wedge pressure
-Swans ganns in placed wedge pressure (PA)
What are the signs and symptoms of an altered preload? - ANSWER: 1. Dehydration
(decreased preload)
2. Fluid overload (increased preload)
What are some causes of a low preload? - ANSWER: 1. Hemorrhage
2. Dehydration
3. Burns
4. Over-diuresis
5. Third spacing (fluid moving into spaces they shouldn't be)
What are some causes of high preload? - ANSWER: 1. Hypervolemia
2. Heart failure
3. Renal failure
4. Pulmonary HTN
5. Tamponade
6. Tension pneumothorax
(most likely seen in right ventricle preload)
What are the venous dilating drugs? - ANSWER: 1. NITRO (given to drop preload)
2. ACE I/ARB
3. Ca-Channel blocker
REAL QUESTIONS AND WELL ELABORATED ANSWERS
(100% CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS) A NEW UPDATED
VERSION |GUARANTEED SUCCESS
What is the function of the cardiovascular system - ANSWER: to drive O2 to the cell
so that the cell can make ATP for energy production
What is the formula for CARDIAC OUTPUT - ANSWER: 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? - ANSWER: Cardiac Output ( approximately 4 - 8 LPM )
What is the term for the amount of blood that is pumped out of the ventricle each
BEAT? - ANSWER: Stroke Volume
What is the term for the number of contractions / minute? - ANSWER: Heart Rate
IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIPS TO KNOW - ANSWER: 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 - ANSWER: Cardiac Index
What is a normal cardiac index? - ANSWER: 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? - ANSWER: 60 to 100 mL
What is the term for the end-diastolic volume stretching the ventricle? - ANSWER:
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? - ANSWER: Afterload
What is the term for the inotropic state the cardiac muscle - ANSWER: Contractility
(how well the heart is contracted)
Preload is the function of which part of the circulatory system? - ANSWER: VEINS
FUNCTION OF VEINS = PRELOAD
What is the RIGHT VENTRICLE PRELOAD assessed by? - ANSWER: CVP (Central
venous pressure)
(Normal is approx. 2 - 8 mmhg)
What is a normal central venous pressure ? - ANSWER: Approximately 2 - 8 mmhg
What is the LEFT VENTRICLE PRELOAD assessed by? - ANSWER: PAOP (Pulmonary
artery occlusion pressure) / PAW pulmonary artery wedge pressure
-Swans ganns in placed wedge pressure (PA)
What are the signs and symptoms of an altered preload? - ANSWER: 1. Dehydration
(decreased preload)
2. Fluid overload (increased preload)
What are some causes of a low preload? - ANSWER: 1. Hemorrhage
2. Dehydration
3. Burns
4. Over-diuresis
5. Third spacing (fluid moving into spaces they shouldn't be)
What are some causes of high preload? - ANSWER: 1. Hypervolemia
2. Heart failure
3. Renal failure
4. Pulmonary HTN
5. Tamponade
6. Tension pneumothorax
(most likely seen in right ventricle preload)
What are the venous dilating drugs? - ANSWER: 1. NITRO (given to drop preload)
2. ACE I/ARB
3. Ca-Channel blocker
