TEAS Exam Practice Test – Cardiovascular System

Test-Taking Tip Remember

Blood flows from high pressure → low pressure and oxygen→ rich blood is usually on the left side of the heart.

Which layer of the heart is made primarily of cardiac muscle?

A. Endocardium

B. Epicardium

C. Myocardium

D. Pericardium

C. Myocardium

Memory Tip: "Myo = Muscle" → Myocardium is the heart muscle layer.

Which layer lines the chambers and valves of the heart?

A. Endocardium

B. Myocardium

C. Epicardium

D. Pericardial sac

A. Endocardium

Memory Tip: "Endo = Inside" → Endocardium lines the inside of the heart.

The right and left coronary arteries branch directly from the:

A. Vena cava

B. Pulmonary artery

C. Aorta

D. Coronary sinus

C. Aorta

Memory Tip: The aorta is the body's main highway leaving the heart.

What is the primary function of coronary arteries?

A. Carry blood to lungs

B. Supply oxygenated blood to heart muscle

C. Return blood to right atrium

D. Filter blood

B. Supply oxygenated blood to heart muscle

Memory Tip: Coronary arteries feed the heart itself.

A buildup of fatty deposits in artery walls is called:

A. Plasma

B. Diffusion

C. Plaque

D. Transcytosis

C. Plaque

Memory Tip: Think "plaque = clogged pipe."

Insufficient oxygen supply to the heart muscle causing chest pain is known as:

A. Stroke

B. Angina pectoris

C. Hypertension

D. Arrhythmia

B. Angina pectoris

Memory Tip: Angina = chest pain from low oxygen.

Complete blockage of blood supply to heart tissue can result in:

A. Angina

B. Coronary sinus

C. Myocardial infarction

D. Diffusion

C. Myocardial infarction

Memory Tip: MI = Muscle Injury (heart attack).

The AV valves prevent blood from flowing:

A. Into arteries

B. Into veins

C. From ventricles back into atria

D. Into capillaries

C. From ventricles back into atria

Memory Tip: AV valves act as one-way doors.

Which valve is also called the mitral valve?

A. Tricuspid valve

B. Pulmonary valve

C. Aortic valve

D. Bicuspid valve

D. Bicuspid valve

Memory Tip: Bi = 2 cusps.

What structures connect AV valves to papillary muscles?

A. Bundle branches

B. Purkinje fibers

C. Chordae tendineae

D. Coronary arteries

C. Chordae tendineae

Memory Tip: "Heart strings" = chordae tendineae.

The heart's natural pacemaker is the:

A. AV node

B. Bundle of His

C. SA node

D. Purkinje fibers

C. SA node

Memory Tip: SA = Starts Activity.

Electrical impulses normally travel through the heart in which order?

A. AV Node → SA Node → Bundle of His → Purkinje Fibers

B. SA Node → AV Node → Bundle of His → Bundle Branches → Purkinje Fibers

C. Purkinje Fibers → SA Node → AV Node

D. SA Node → Purkinje Fibers → AV Node

B. SA Node → AV Node → Bundle of His → Bundle Branches → Purkinje FibersAt rest, myocardial cells are:

Memory Tip: SABBP

SA Node

AV Node

Bundle of His

Bundle Branches

Purkinje Fibers

At rest, myocardial cells are:

A. Positive inside and negative outside

B. Neutral inside and outside

C. Negative inside and positive outside

D. Positive everywhere

C. Negative inside and positive outside

Memory Tip: Resting cells are negative inside.

Depolarization of cardiac cells causes:

A. Relaxation only

B. Contraction

C. Valve closure only

D. Blood filtration

B. Contraction

Memory Tip: Depolarize = Contract.

Movement of molecules from high concentration to low concentration is:

A. Bulk flow

B. Diffusion

C. Plasma transport

D. Filtration

B. Diffusion

Memory Tip: Diffusion = Down the concentration gradient.

Facilitated diffusion requires:

A. ATP energy

B. Vesicles

C. Membrane proteins

D. Blood pressure

C. Membrane proteins

Memory Tip: Protein channels act like doorways.

Transcytosis involves:

A. Passive movement through a membrane

B. Vesicle transport across cells

C. Diffusion through proteins

D. Osmosis

B. Vesicle transport across cells

Memory Tip: "Trans" = across.

At the arterial end of a capillary, fluid moves out because:

A. Osmotic pressure is greater

B. Hydrostatic pressure is greater

C. Blood pressure is zero

D. Diffusion stops

B. Hydrostatic pressure is greater

Memory Tip: Hydrostatic pushes OUT.

At the venous end of a capillary, fluid re-enters because:

A. Hydrostatic pressure is greater

B. Osmotic pressure is greater

C. Diffusion increases

D. Plasma decreases

B. Osmotic pressure is greater

Memory Tip: Osmotic pulls IN.

Which vessel collects venous blood from heart muscle and empties into the right atrium?

A. Aorta

B. Pulmonary vein

C. Coronary sinus

D. Superior vena cava

C. Coronary sinus

Memory Tip: Think of the coronary sinus as the heart's drainage system.

Heart Layers

E-M-E

Epicardium = Outside

Myocardium = Muscle

Endocardium = Inside

Coronary Circulation

Coronary Arteries = Feed the Heart

Coronary Sinus = Drains the Heart

Heart Attack vs Angina

Angina = Temporary lack of oxygen

Myocardial Infarction = Complete blockage → tissue death

Electrical Pathway

SA → AV → Bundle of His → Bundle Branches → Purkinje

Capillary Exchange

Hydrostatic = Pushes Out

Osmotic = Pulls In

Must-Know TEAS Fact

If you see a question about heart muscle contraction, think: SA Node → Depolarization → Contraction → Blood Flow.