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Free topic practice · 10 original questions

Cardiovascular Physiology MCQs with Answers and Explanations

Connect the heart's electrical activity with its pumping action and the movement of blood through vessels. These cardiovascular physiology MCQs cover core concepts and simple calculations. Attempt each question before opening its answer, then use the explanation to identify the principle you need to revise.

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Published 27 October 2026 · PhysioVeda Academics · Answers and references included

What you will practise

  • Calculate cardiac output, stroke volume and pulse pressure from supplied values.
  • Relate cardiac conduction and valve movements to the cardiac cycle.
  • Explain how vessel resistance and total cross-sectional area influence blood flow.

Choose your answer before opening each explanation. These public examples are available without an account; saved tests and the complete practice library use member access.

Cardiovascular Physiology MCQs: questions and explanations

Question 1

A worked example gives a heart rate of 75 beats/min and a stroke volume of 80 mL/beat. What is the cardiac output?

  1. 1.5 L/min
  2. 6.0 L/min
  3. 9.4 L/min
  4. 155 L/min
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. 6.0 L/min

Cardiac output equals heart rate multiplied by stroke volume: 75 × 80 = 6,000 mL/min, or 6.0 L/min. The volume is expressed per minute, rather than per heartbeat.

Question 2

If left ventricular end-diastolic volume is 130 mL and end-systolic volume is 50 mL, what is the stroke volume?

  1. 50 mL
  2. 65 mL
  3. 80 mL
  4. 180 mL
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. 80 mL

Stroke volume is the amount ejected in one beat. Subtract the volume remaining after contraction from the volume present before contraction: 130 − 50 = 80 mL.

Question 3

Which structure normally initiates the electrical impulse that establishes sinus rhythm?

  1. Sinoatrial node
  2. Atrioventricular bundle
  3. Left bundle branch
  4. Purkinje fibres
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. Sinoatrial node

The sinoatrial node normally sets the pace because its conducting cells depolarize spontaneously at the highest intrinsic rate. The remaining conduction structures distribute the impulse toward and through the ventricles.

Question 4

What is the main physiological benefit of the brief conduction delay at the atrioventricular node?

  1. It closes the aortic valve before every atrial beat.
  2. It prevents any blood entering the ventricles.
  3. It makes both ventricles contract independently.
  4. It allows atrial contraction to finish before ventricular contraction begins.
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: D. It allows atrial contraction to finish before ventricular contraction begins.

The AV nodal delay helps coordinate atrial and ventricular activity. It gives the atria time to complete their contribution to ventricular filling before the ventricles begin contracting.

Question 5

What does ventricular diastole describe?

  1. The period of ventricular relaxation
  2. The period of ventricular ejection only
  3. The opening of the aortic valve only
  4. The electrical activation of the atria only
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. The period of ventricular relaxation

Diastole is the relaxation phase. Ventricular diastole includes an early relaxation period followed by filling once ventricular pressure falls below atrial pressure and the atrioventricular valves open.

Question 6

The first normal heart sound, S1, is associated mainly with closure of which valves?

  1. Aortic and pulmonary
  2. Mitral and tricuspid
  3. Mitral and aortic
  4. Tricuspid and pulmonary
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. Mitral and tricuspid

S1 accompanies closure of the mitral and tricuspid atrioventricular valves as ventricular systole begins. Closure of the aortic and pulmonary semilunar valves is associated with S2.

Question 7

During normal isovolumetric ventricular contraction, what is the state of the heart valves?

  1. All four valves are open.
  2. Only the atrioventricular valves are open.
  3. Both atrioventricular and semilunar valves are closed.
  4. Only the semilunar valves are open.
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. Both atrioventricular and semilunar valves are closed.

The atrioventricular valves have closed, while ventricular pressure is not yet high enough to open the semilunar valves. Ventricular pressure rises, but the enclosed blood volume remains unchanged.

Question 8

Which vessels are the principal adjustable resistance vessels of the systemic circulation?

  1. Venae cavae
  2. Pulmonary veins
  3. Capillary beds
  4. Arterioles
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: D. Arterioles

Arterioles can markedly alter their lumen through smooth-muscle contraction and relaxation. These diameter changes strongly influence resistance and the distribution of blood flow to tissues.

Question 9

Why is average blood velocity relatively low across the body's systemic capillary beds?

  1. Their combined cross-sectional area is very large.
  2. Each capillary has the widest individual lumen.
  3. Blood pressure becomes zero in all capillaries.
  4. The heart stops ejecting blood during capillary exchange.
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. Their combined cross-sectional area is very large.

Although each capillary is narrow, the many capillaries together create a large total cross-sectional area. Blood moves more slowly across this network, supporting exchange between blood and tissues.

Question 10

A theoretical arterial pressure reading is 118/76 mmHg. What is its pulse pressure?

  1. 21 mmHg
  2. 42 mmHg
  3. 76 mmHg
  4. 194 mmHg
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. 42 mmHg

Pulse pressure is systolic pressure minus diastolic pressure: 118 − 76 = 42 mmHg. It is a pressure difference, not the pulse rate or the mean arterial pressure.

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References and further reading

  1. OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e — Cardiac Muscle and Electrical Activity
  2. OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e — Cardiac Cycle
  3. OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e — Cardiac Physiology
  4. OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e — Blood Flow, Blood Pressure, and Resistance

Questions are original educational practice examples based on the concepts in these references. Send academic feedback or report a question.

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