Nokea
If the pressure in the pulmonary artery is increased above normal, which chamber of the heart will be affected first?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When the pressure in the pulmonary artery is increased above normal, the right ventricle of the heart will be affected first. The right ventricle is responsible for pumping blood into the pulmonary artery, which carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation. Increased pressure in the pulmonary artery can result in increased workload on the right ventricle as it tries to pump blood against higher resistance, leading to potential strain and dysfunction in the right ventricle. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because the right ventricle is the chamber directly connected to the pulmonary artery, and it bears the immediate impact of any changes in pressure within this artery. The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body and the left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs, while the left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood to the body and the right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs.