Exam Cram NCLEX RN Practice Questions Related

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When considering the concepts related to blood pressure, which statement best describes the concept of mean arterial pressure (MAP)?

  • A. MAP is the pressure of the arterial pulse.
  • B. MAP reflects the stroke volume of the heart.
  • C. MAP is the pressure forcing blood into the tissues, averaged over the cardiac cycle.
  • D. MAP is an average of the systolic and diastolic blood pressures and reflects tissue perfusion.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) is the pressure that forces blood into the tissues, averaged over the cardiac cycle. It is not the pressure of the arterial pulse (Choice A), nor does it directly reflect the stroke volume of the heart (Choice B). While MAP involves systolic and diastolic pressures, it is not simply an average of these two values as diastole lasts longer. Instead, MAP is closer to diastolic pressure plus one third of the pulse pressure. The best description of MAP is that it represents the pressure forcing blood into the tissues, averaged over the cardiac cycle.