Test bank for ECGs Made Easy
7th Edition by Barbara J Aehlert
Chapters 1 - 10
,ECGs Made Easy 7th Edition by Barbara Aehlert Test Bank
Table of Contents:
Chapter 1. Anatomy & Physiology
Chapter 2. Basic Electrophysiology
Chapter 3. Sinus Mechanisms
Chapter 4. Atrial Rhythms
Chapter 5. Junctional Rhythms
Chapter 6. Ventricular Rhythms
Chapter 7. Atrioventricular Blocks
Chapter 8. Pacemaker Rhythms
Chapter 9. Introduction to the 12-Lead ECG
Chapter 10. Post-Test
,Chapter 01: Anatomy and Physiology
Aehlert: ECGs Made Easy, 7th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The apex of the heart is formed by the .
a. tip of the left ventricle
b. tip of the right atrium
c. right atrium and right ventricle
d. left atrium and left ventricle
ANSWER: A
The heart’s apex, or lower portion, is formed by the tip of the left ventricle. The apex lies just
above the diaphragm, between the fifth and sixth ribs, in the midclavicular line.
OBJ: Identify the surfaces of the heart.
2. The left atrium receives blood from the .
a. pulmonary veins
b. aorta
c. pulmonary arteries
d. inferior vena cava
ANSWER: A
The left atrium receives freshly oxygenated blood from the lungs via the right and left
pulmonary veins.
OBJ: Identify and describe the chambers of the heart and the vessels that enter or leave each.
3. The anterior surface of the heart consists primarily of the .
a. left atrium
b. right atrium
c. left ventricle
d. right ventricle
ANSWER: D
The front (anterior) surface of the heart lies behind the sternum and costal cartilages. It is
formed by portions of the right atrium and the left and right ventricles. However, because the
heart is tilted slightly toward the left in the chest, the right ventricle is the area of the heart that
lies most directly behind the sternum.
OBJ: Identify the surfaces of the heart.
4. Blood pressure is determined by multiplied by .
a. stroke volume; heart rate
b. heart rate; cardiac output
c. cardiac output; peripheral vascular resistance
d. stroke volume; peripheral vascular resistance
ANSWER: C
Blood pressure is equal to cardiac output multiplied by peripheral vascular resistance.
, OBJ: Identify and explain the components of blood pressure and cardiac output.
5. The right atrium receives venous blood from the head, neck, and thorax via the , from
the remainder of the body via the , and from the heart via the .
a. coronary sinus; superior vena cava; inferior vena cava
b. superior vena cava; coronary sinus; inferior vena cava
c. inferior vena cava; superior vena cava; coronary sinus
d. superior vena cava; inferior vena cava; coronary sinus
ANSWER: D
The right atrium receives blood low in oxygen from the superior vena cava, which carries
blood from the head and upper extremities; the inferior vena cava, which carries blood from
the lower body; and the coronary sinus, which is the largest vein that drains the heart.
OBJ: Identify and describe the chambers of the heart and the vessels that enter or leave each.
6. The heart is divided into chambers but functions as a -sided pump.
a. two; four
b. three; two
c. four; two
d. four; three
ANSWER: C
The heart has four chambers: two atria and two ventricles. The right and left sides of the heart
are separated by an internal wall of connective tissue called a septum. The interatrial septum
separates the right and left atria. The interventricular septum separates the right and left
ventricles. The septa separate the heart into two functional pumps. The right atrium and right
ventricle make up one pump. The left atrium and left ventricle make up the other.
OBJ: Identify and describe the chambers of the heart and the vessels that enter or leave each.
7. Stimulation of alpha1 receptors results in .
a. increased heart rate
b. peripheral vasoconstriction
c. constriction of bronchial smooth muscle
d. increased force of myocardial contraction
ANSWER: B
Alpha1 receptors are found in the eyes, blood vessels, bladder, and male reproductive organs.
Stimulation of alpha1 receptor sites results in constriction.
OBJ: Compare and contrast the effects of sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation of the heart.
8. Which side of the heart is a low-pressure system that pumps venous blood to the lungs?
a. Left
b. Right
ANSWER: B
The job of the right side of the heart is to pump unoxygenated blood to and through the lungs
to the left side of the heart. This is called the pulmonary circulation. The right side of the heart
is a low-pressure system.
, OBJ: Identify and describe the chambers of the heart and the vessels that enter or leave each.
9. Which side of the heart is a high-pressure system that pumps arterial blood to the systemic
circulation?
a. Left
b. Right
ANSWER: A
The left side of the heart is a high-pressure pump. The job of the left heart is to receive
oxygenated blood and pump it out to the rest of the body. This is called the systemic
circulation. The left ventricle is a high-pressure chamber. Its wall is much thicker than the
right ventricle (the right ventricle is 3 to 5 mm thick; the left ventricle is 13 to 15 mm thick).
This is because the left ventricle must overcome a lot of pressure and resistance from the
arteries and contract forcefully in order to pump blood out to the body.
OBJ: Identify and describe the chambers of the heart and the vessels that enter or leave each.
10. The thick, muscular middle layer of the heart wall that contains the atrial and ventricular
muscle fibers necessary for contraction is the .
a. epicardium
b. pericardium
c. myocardium
d. endocardium
ANSWER: C
The myocardium (middle layer) is a thick, muscular layer that consists of cardiac muscle
fibers (cells) responsible for the pumping action of the heart.
OBJ: Describe the structure and function of the coverings of the heart.
11. Blood flows from the right atrium through the valve into the right ventricle.
a. mitral
b. aortic
c. pulmonic
d. tricuspid
ANSWER: D
Blood flows from the right atrium through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle.
OBJ: Beginning with the right atrium, describe blood flow through the normal heart and lungs to the
systemic circulation.
12. Rapid ejection of blood from the ventricular chambers of the heart occurs because the
and valves open.
a. pulmonic; aortic
b. tricuspid; mitral
c. pulmonic; mitral
d. tricuspid; aortic
ANSWER: A
, When the ventricles contract, the pulmonic and aortic valves open, allowing blood to flow out
of the ventricles.
OBJ: Name and identify the location of the atrioventricular (AV) and semilunar (SL) valves.
13. The base of the heart is found at approximately the level of the rib(s).
a. first
b. second
c. fourth
d. fifth and sixth
ANSWER: B
The base of the heart is its upper portion and is formed mainly by the left atrium, with a small
amount of right atrium. It lies at approximately the level of the second rib, immediately in
front of the esophagus and descending aorta.
OBJ: Identify the surfaces of the heart.
14. Which of the following are semilunar valves?
a. Aortic and pulmonic
b. Aortic and tricuspid
c. Pulmonic and mitral
d. Tricuspid and mitral
ANSWER: A
The pulmonic and aortic valves are semilunar (SL) valves. The semilunar valves prevent
backflow of blood from the aorta and pulmonary arteries into the ventricles.
OBJ: Name and identify the location of the atrioventricular (AV) and semilunar (SL) valves.
15. Blood leaves the left ventricle through the valve to the aorta and its branches and is
distributed throughout the body.
a. mitral
b. aortic
c. pulmonic
d. tricuspid
ANSWER: B
When the left ventricle contracts, freshly oxygenated blood flows through the aortic valve into
the aorta and out to the body.
OBJ: Beginning with the right atrium, describe blood flow through the normal heart and lungs to the
systemic circulation.
16. Blood flows from the left atrium through the valve into the left ventricle.
a. mitral
b. aortic
c. pulmonic
d. tricuspid
ANSWER: A
Blood flows from the left atrium through the mitral (bicuspid) valve into the left ventricle.
, OBJ: Beginning with the right atrium, describe blood flow through the normal heart and lungs to the
systemic circulation.
17. The right ventricle expels blood through the valve into the pulmonary trunk.
a. mitral
b. aortic
c. pulmonic
d. tricuspid
ANSWER: C
The right ventricle expels the blood through the pulmonic valve into the pulmonary trunk. The
pulmonary trunk divides into a right and left pulmonary artery, each of which carries blood to
one lung (pulmonary circuit).
OBJ: Beginning with the right atrium, describe blood flow through the normal heart and lungs to the
systemic circulation.
18. The primary neurotransmitters of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system
are .
a. dopamine and acetylcholine
b. muscarine and norepinephrine
c. acetylcholine and epinephrine
d. norepinephrine and epinephrine
ANSWER: D
When sympathetic nerves are stimulated, the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and
epinephrine are released.
OBJ: Compare and contrast the effects of sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation of the heart.
19. Complete occlusion of the coronary artery, also referred to as the widow maker, usually
results in sudden death.
a. right
b. left main
c. circumflex
d. left anterior descending
ANSWER: B
Complete occlusion of the left main coronary artery, also referred to as the widow maker,
usually results in sudden death.
OBJ: Name the primary branches and areas of the heart supplied by the right and left coronary
arteries.
20. Stimulation of beta2 receptor sites results in .
a. increased heart rate
b. peripheral vasoconstriction
c. constriction of renal blood vessels
d. dilation of bronchial smooth muscle
ANSWER: D
, Beta2 receptor sites are found in the arterioles of the heart, lungs, and skeletal muscle.
Stimulation results in dilation. Stimulation of beta2 receptor sites in the smooth muscle of the
bronchi results in dilation.
OBJ: Compare and contrast the effects of sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation of the heart.
21. Chronotropy refers to an effect on .
a. heart rate
b. force of contraction
c. bronchial smooth muscle
d. speed of conduction through the atrioventricular node
ANSWER: A
Chrono refers to rate. Chronotropic effect refers to a change in heart rate. Positive
chronotropic effect refers to an increase in heart rate. Negative chronotropic effect refers to a
decrease in heart rate.
OBJ: Compare and contrast the effects of sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation of the heart.
22. The left main coronary artery divides into the branches.
a. marginal and circumflex
b. marginal and anterior descending
c. anterior and posterior descending
d. anterior interventricular artery descending and circumflex
ANSWER: D
The left main coronary artery supplies oxygenated blood to its two primary branches: the left
anterior descending (LAD) (also called the anterior interventricular) artery and the
circumflex artery (CX).
OBJ: Name the primary branches and areas of the heart supplied by the right and left coronary
arteries.
23. The primary neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous
system is .
a. dopamine
b. muscarine
c. acetylcholine
d. norepinephrine
ANSWER: C
Acetylcholine (Ach) is a chemical messenger (neurotransmitter) released when
parasympathetic nerves are stimulated. Ach binds to parasympathetic receptors.
OBJ: Compare and contrast the effects of sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation of the heart.
24. The artery supplies the right atrium and ventricle with blood.
a. right coronary
b. left main coronary
c. left circumflex
d. left anterior descending
