37 Year 3: Cardiovascular System Pathology exam questions on Cardiovascular Disease and Biochemical Markers MCQs for medical students. Includes MCQs, answers, e
This MCQ set contains 37 questions on Cardiovascular Disease and Biochemical Markers MCQs in the Year 3: Cardiovascular System Pathology unit. Each question includes the correct answer and a detailed explanation for active recall and exam preparation.
Correct answer: C – Troponin I
Troponin I is the gold standard for diagnosing myocardial infarction due to its high specificity to cardiac muscle injury. It can remain elevated for several days, aiding in diagnosis of recent heart attacks.
Correct answer: C – B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)
BNP is produced by the heart in response to increased pressure and volume, making it particularly useful in differentiating between cardiac and non-cardiac causes of dyspnea and diagnosing heart failure.
Correct answer: B – CK-MB
CK-MB typically returns to normal within a few days after myocardial infarction, helping determine the timing of myocardial injury. Troponins remain elevated for several days longer.
Correct answer: C – Myoglobin
Myoglobin rises within hours of myocardial injury and is the earliest marker of heart attack, though it is less specific than troponins and is typically used alongside other markers for early detection.
Correct answer: B – Atherosclerosis causing plaque buildup in coronary arteries
Coronary artery disease is caused by atherosclerosis, which involves the buildup of plaque in the heart's major blood vessels, leading to damage or disease in these arteries.
Correct answer: B – Pain and cramping in legs during activity that resolves with rest
Intermittent claudication is a classic feature of PAD characterized by pain, cramping, or weakness in the legs during physical activity, which resolves with rest due to inadequate blood flow during exercise.
Correct answer: C – Stroke
Sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, and confusion are classic signs of stroke, which results from interrupted blood supply to the brain.
Correct answer: B – Electrocardiogram (ECG)
An ECG records the heart's electrical activity and is fundamental in identifying ischemia, arrhythmias, and characteristic changes associated with heart attacks or previous myocardial infarction.
Correct answer: C – Longer half-life providing extended detection window
NT-proBNP has a longer half-life than BNP, providing a more extended window for detection and helping assess the severity of heart failure and monitor treatment effectiveness.
Correct answer: B – Essential hypertension
Hypertension is often asymptomatic and is confirmed by consistently high blood pressure readings over multiple visits. Many people with high blood pressure do not experience symptoms.
Correct answer: C – Coronary angiography
Coronary angiography is an invasive imaging technique that uses contrast dye and X-rays to directly visualize the coronary arteries and identify blockages or narrowing.
Correct answer: B – Fluid retention due to inadequate cardiac pumping
In heart failure, the heart cannot pump effectively, leading to fluid retention and accumulation in dependent areas like the legs, ankles, and abdomen, causing edema.
Correct answer: B – Stress test
A stress test evaluates the heart's performance under physical stress or with medication to simulate exercise, helping diagnose coronary artery disease by revealing ischemia that may not be apparent at rest.
Correct answer: C – Assesses inflammation and cardiovascular risk
hs-CRP is an inflammatory marker that helps assess inflammation levels associated with increased cardiovascular risk. It is used to evaluate overall cardiovascular risk rather than diagnose specific acute conditions.
Correct answer: C – Peripheral artery disease
The ankle-brachial index compares blood pressure in the ankle and arm to detect arterial blockages in peripheral arteries, making it a key diagnostic tool for peripheral artery disease.
Correct answer: B – CK-MB
CK-MB is an isoenzyme of creatine kinase found predominantly in heart muscle. Elevated levels suggest myocardial damage and it is used with troponins to diagnose myocardial infarction.
Correct answer: B – Low specificity - released from any damaged muscle tissue
Myoglobin is less specific than troponins because it is released from any damaged muscle tissue, not just cardiac muscle, making it necessary to use it alongside other more specific markers.
Correct answer: B – Holter monitor
A Holter monitor provides continuous 24-hour ECG recording, making it ideal for detecting and documenting intermittent arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation that may not be present during a standard ECG.
Correct answer: C – CT or MRI of the brain
CT or MRI of the brain identifies brain tissue damage and is essential for distinguishing between ischemic stroke (caused by blockage) and hemorrhagic stroke (caused by bleeding), guiding treatment decisions.
Correct answer: B – Assessing heart function including ejection fraction
An echocardiogram uses ultrasound to create images of the heart's structure and function, including assessment of ejection fraction and structural abnormalities, making it crucial for diagnosing and managing heart failure.
Correct answer: B – Modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors
Cardiovascular risk assessment includes evaluating both modifiable risk factors (smoking, diabetes) and non-modifiable risk factors (family history, age) that contribute to CVD development.
Correct answer: B – Sudden, intense crushing chest pain with associated symptoms
Heart attack presents with sudden, intense crushing or squeezing chest pain, often accompanied by sweating, nausea, and shortness of breath, unlike stable angina which is typically relieved by rest.
Correct answer: B – Associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk
Elevated homocysteine, an amino acid, is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, though its role in routine cardiovascular risk assessment is less established than other markers.
Correct answer: B – Headaches, dizziness, nosebleeds, or blurred vision
While hypertension is often asymptomatic, severe hypertension can cause headaches, dizziness, nosebleeds, or blurred vision, particularly when blood pressure is extremely high.
Correct answer: B – Doppler ultrasound
Doppler ultrasound measures blood flow and detects blockages or narrowing in peripheral arteries, making it a key non-invasive diagnostic tool for peripheral artery disease.