What test measures the electrical activity of the heart over a 24- or 48-hour period?
- A. Holter monitor
- B. Electrocardiogram
- C. Stress test
- D. Chest X-ray
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Holter monitor. This device records the electrical activity of the heart over an extended period, typically 24-48 hours, providing a more comprehensive assessment compared to a standard ECG (choice B). A stress test (choice C) evaluates the heart's response to physical exertion, not prolonged monitoring. A chest X-ray (choice D) is used to visualize the heart and lungs, but does not measure electrical activity. Therefore, the Holter monitor is the most appropriate test for continuous monitoring of heart activity over an extended period.
You may also like to solve these questions
What is a type of heart disease that involves the thickening or stiffening of the heart muscle, reducing its ability to pump blood?
- A. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- B. Dilated cardiomyopathy
- C. Restrictive cardiomyopathy
- D. Arrhythmia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This condition involves the thickening of the heart muscle, leading to reduced blood pumping ability. This thickening makes it harder for the heart to relax and fill with blood properly, impairing its ability to pump effectively. Dilated cardiomyopathy (B) involves the enlargement of the heart chambers, not thickening. Restrictive cardiomyopathy (C) involves stiffening but not necessarily thickening of the heart muscle. Arrhythmia (D) refers to irregular heart rhythms and does not relate to the structural changes in the heart muscle seen in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
What is a condition where the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients?
- A. Stroke
- B. Heart attack
- C. Pulmonary embolism
- D. Pneumonia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Stroke. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, leading to brain tissue not receiving enough oxygen and nutrients. This can result in permanent brain damage or even death.
Choice B: Heart attack, involves a blockage in the blood vessels supplying the heart muscle, not the brain.
Choice C: Pulmonary embolism, is a blockage in the arteries of the lungs, not the brain.
Choice D: Pneumonia, is an infection in the lungs and does not directly involve the brain's blood supply.
In summary, a stroke specifically affects the brain's blood supply and can lead to serious consequences, unlike the other conditions mentioned.
What is a condition where the heart's mitral valve does not close properly, causing blood to leak backward into the left atrium?
- A. Mitral valve prolapse
- B. Aortic stenosis
- C. Mitral stenosis
- D. Tricuspid regurgitation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Mitral valve prolapse is the correct answer because it is a condition where the mitral valve doesn't close properly, leading to blood leakage into the left atrium during the heart's contraction. This results in a characteristic systolic click on auscultation. Aortic stenosis (B) involves narrowing of the aortic valve, not the mitral valve. Mitral stenosis (C) refers to a narrowing of the mitral valve, not improper closure. Tricuspid regurgitation (D) is when the tricuspid valve doesn't close properly, causing blood to leak backward into the right atrium, not the left atrium.
What is a chronic condition where the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently, leading to fluid buildup in the lungs and other parts of the body?
- A. Heart failure
- B. Cardiomyopathy
- C. Pericarditis
- D. Aortic stenosis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: Heart failure is a chronic condition where the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently.
Step 2: This inefficiency leads to fluid buildup in the lungs (pulmonary congestion) and other parts of the body.
Step 3: Cardiomyopathy is a broad term for diseases that affect the heart muscle but may not necessarily result in heart failure.
Step 4: Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, the sac surrounding the heart, not directly related to heart pumping efficiency.
Step 5: Aortic stenosis is a condition where the aortic valve narrows, affecting blood flow from the heart but not necessarily leading to heart failure.
What diagnostic procedure uses sound waves to create images of the heart and assess its structure and function?
- A. Echocardiogram
- B. MRI
- C. CT scan
- D. X-ray
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Echocardiogram. An echocardiogram uses sound waves to create images of the heart, providing detailed information about its structure and function in real-time. This procedure is non-invasive, safe, and commonly used to diagnose heart conditions such as valve abnormalities, heart size, and blood flow. It allows visualization of the heart chambers, valves, and blood vessels. MRI (B) and CT scan (C) use different imaging techniques and are not specifically designed to assess the heart's structure and function. X-ray (D) provides limited information about the heart compared to an echocardiogram.