COC Anatomy and Pathophysiology for Coding 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which structure of the heart is responsible for initiating the electrical impulse that triggers each heartbeat?
- Sinoatrial (SA) node (Correct answer)
- Atrioventricular (AV) node
- Bundle of His
- Purkinje fibers
Correct answer: Sinoatrial (SA) node
The sinoatrial (SA) node, located in the right atrium, is the heart's natural pacemaker, generating the electrical impulse that initiates each cardiac cycle.
Question 2: Atherosclerosis refers to the buildup of which substance within arterial walls?
- Plaque (lipids, calcium, and fibrous tissue) (Correct answer)
- Blood clots (thrombi)
- Excess fluid (edema)
- Scar tissue from healed infarctions
Correct answer: Plaque (lipids, calcium, and fibrous tissue)
Atherosclerosis is characterized by the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques — composed of lipids, calcium, and fibrous tissue — within arterial walls, narrowing the vessel lumen.
Question 3: The nephron is the functional unit of which organ?
- Kidney (Correct answer)
- Liver
- Lung
- Spleen
Correct answer: Kidney
The nephron is the microscopic functional unit of the kidney, responsible for filtering blood and producing urine.
Question 4: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is primarily characterized by:
- Insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency (Correct answer)
- Absolute insulin deficiency due to autoimmune destruction
- Overproduction of glucagon only
- Hypersecretion of insulin leading to hypoglycemia
Correct answer: Insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency
Type 2 DM involves peripheral insulin resistance and relative (not absolute) insulin deficiency, distinguishing it from the autoimmune beta-cell destruction of Type 1.
Question 5: Which lung lobe is the most common site for aspiration pneumonia in a supine patient?
- Right lower lobe (posterior segment) (Correct answer)
- Left upper lobe
- Right middle lobe
- Left lower lobe
Correct answer: Right lower lobe (posterior segment)
The posterior segment of the right lower lobe is the most dependent region in a supine patient and therefore the most common aspiration site due to gravity.
Question 6: The rotator cuff of the shoulder consists of which four muscles?
- Supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis (Correct answer)
- Deltoid, biceps, triceps, pectoralis
- Trapezius, rhomboid, serratus, latissimus dorsi
- Supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres major, subscapularis
Correct answer: Supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis
The rotator cuff is formed by four muscles — supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis — collectively stabilizing the glenohumeral joint.
COC Anatomy and Pathophysiology for Coding 1
Which structure of the heart is responsible for initiating the electrical impulse that triggers each heartbeat?