DC Medical Terminology & Anatomy 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The term 'ectopic' in cardiac physiology describes an impulse that originates:
- In the SA node
- Outside the normal conduction pathway (Correct answer)
- In the bundle branches
- From outside the body
Correct answer: Outside the normal conduction pathway
An ectopic beat originates from a site other than the SA node, outside the normal pacemaker pathway.
Question 2: Which term describes the period during which cardiac cells cannot respond to a new stimulus regardless of its strength?
- Relative refractory period
- Absolute refractory period (Correct answer)
- Supernormal period
- Threshold period
Correct answer: Absolute refractory period
During the absolute refractory period, cells are completely unable to depolarize in response to any stimulus.
Question 3: The atrioventricular (AV) node is located in the:
- Right atrium near the tricuspid valve (Correct answer)
- Left atrium near the mitral valve
- Interventricular septum apex
- Pulmonary artery root
Correct answer: Right atrium near the tricuspid valve
The AV node lies in the floor of the right atrium near the tricuspid valve and the interatrial septum.
Question 4: The suffix '-cardia' in medical terminology refers to:
- Lungs
- Heart condition (Correct answer)
- Blood vessels
- Nerves
Correct answer: Heart condition
The suffix '-cardia' means a condition of the heart, derived from the Greek 'kardia.'
Question 5: Depolarization of the ventricular muscle is represented on the ECG by the:
- P wave
- PR interval
- QRS complex (Correct answer)
- T wave
Correct answer: QRS complex
The QRS complex represents rapid depolarization of the ventricular myocardium.
Question 6: The Bundle of His is part of which anatomical system?
- Coronary circulation
- Cardiac conduction system (Correct answer)
- Autonomic nervous system
- Lymphatic system
Correct answer: Cardiac conduction system
The Bundle of His is part of the specialized cardiac conduction system that transmits impulses from the AV node to the bundle branches.
Question 7: The term 'diaphoresis' seen in clinical descriptions of cardiac events refers to:
- Chest pain
- Profuse sweating (Correct answer)
- Difficulty breathing
- Rapid breathing
Correct answer: Profuse sweating
Diaphoresis means profuse sweating and is a common autonomic symptom associated with cardiac events.
DC Medical Terminology & Anatomy 3
The term 'ectopic' in cardiac physiology describes an impulse that originates: