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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

Cardiac Output Practice Problems Quiz

Quick, free hemodynamics calculations quiz. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Christopher NealUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration shows stylized heart with formulas graphs and calculator icons on golden yellow background

Use this quiz to practice cardiac output calculations and strengthen your work with stroke volume, heart rate, unit conversions, and simple formulas today. For more review, try our circulatory system quiz, explore cardiology quiz questions and answers, or check NCLEX cardiovascular questions for exam prep.

What is the formula for calculating cardiac output?
Cardiac output = Heart rate ? Stroke volume
Cardiac output = Heart rate × Stroke volume
Cardiac output = Heart rate + Stroke volume
Cardiac output = Stroke volume / Heart rate
Cardiac output is defined as the product of heart rate and stroke volume, representing the volume of blood ejected by the heart per minute. This relationship is fundamental to cardiovascular physiology and is used clinically to assess heart function. A direct correlation exists: when either heart rate or stroke volume increases, cardiac output rises accordingly.
Which of the following best approximates normal resting cardiac output in an adult human?
2 L/min
5 L/min
1 L/min
10 L/min
In healthy adults at rest, cardiac output typically ranges from 4 to 6 liters per minute, with 5 L/min as a common reference value. This ensures adequate delivery of oxygen and nutrients to peripheral tissues. Values above or below this range can indicate altered cardiovascular status.
How is stroke volume defined?
Stroke volume = Cardiac output / Heart rate
Stroke volume = End-systolic volume ? End-diastolic volume
Stroke volume = End-diastolic volume ? End-systolic volume
Stroke volume = Cardiac output × Heart rate
Stroke volume is the amount of blood ejected by the ventricle during each contraction. It is calculated by subtracting the end-systolic volume (residual volume) from the end-diastolic volume (filled volume). This parameter is crucial for understanding cardiac performance.
What does end-diastolic volume represent?
Residual volume after ejection
Volume of blood in the ventricle at the end of contraction (systole)
Volume of blood in the ventricle at the end of filling (diastole)
Blood volume pumped per minute
End-diastolic volume is the volume of blood present in the ventricle at the end of diastole, just before contraction. It reflects preload and influences stroke volume via the Frank - Starling mechanism. Higher EDV generally increases stroke volume up to a physiological limit.
What does end-systolic volume refer to?
Volume of blood remaining in the ventricle after systole
Total cardiac output per minute
Volume ejected during systole
Volume of blood at end of diastole
End-systolic volume is the amount of blood left in the ventricle after it contracts and ejects blood. It's influenced by contractility and afterload. A lower ESV indicates stronger ventricular contraction.
What is the formula for ejection fraction?
Ejection fraction = End-diastolic volume / End-systolic volume
Ejection fraction = End-systolic volume / End-diastolic volume
Ejection fraction = Stroke volume / End-diastolic volume
Ejection fraction = Heart rate × Stroke volume
Ejection fraction quantifies the percentage of the end-diastolic volume ejected with each beat. It's calculated by dividing stroke volume by end-diastolic volume, then multiplying by 100 for percent. Normal values are typically 55 - 70%.
In which units is cardiac output typically expressed?
Liters per minute (L/min)
Milliliters (mL)
Liters (L)
Millimeters of mercury (mmHg)
Cardiac output is reported in liters per minute, reflecting the volume of blood the heart pumps each minute. This unit accounts for both stroke volume and heart rate. It standardizes comparisons across subjects and conditions.
Given an end-diastolic volume of 120 mL and an end-systolic volume of 50 mL, what is the stroke volume?
170 mL
50 mL
70 mL
120 mL
Stroke volume is calculated by subtracting ESV from EDV. Here, SV = 120 mL ? 50 mL = 70 mL. This value represents the volume of blood ejected by the ventricle each beat.
If heart rate is 70 bpm and stroke volume is 70 mL, what is cardiac output?
4.9 L/min
490 mL/min
5.5 L/min
4.2 L/min
Cardiac output = HR × SV. Converting 70 mL to liters gives 0.07 L. Thus CO = 70 beats/min × 0.07 L = 4.9 L/min. This reflects total volume ejected per minute.
What is the ejection fraction if end-diastolic volume is 140 mL and end-systolic volume is 60 mL?
43%
57%
71%
60%
Ejection fraction = (EDV ? ESV) / EDV. Here EF = (140 ? 60) / 140 = 80/140 ? 0.57 or 57%. This index gauges pumping efficiency.
If heart rate increases from 60 to 80 bpm while stroke volume remains constant at 75 mL, what is the percent increase in cardiac output?
20%
25%
15%
33%
Initial CO = 60 × 75 = 4,500 mL/min; new CO = 80 × 75 = 6,000 mL/min. The increase is 1,500/4,500 = 0.333 or 33.3%. Thus CO increases by one-third.
Vascular compliance is defined as which of the following?
Resistance to flow
Change in pressure divided by change in volume
Change in volume divided by change in pressure
Flow per unit pressure
Compliance measures how much volume a vessel can accommodate per unit change in pressure (?V/?P). High compliance means the vessel easily stretches under pressure. It's crucial for venous return and buffering arterial pulsations.
Which factor primarily determines afterload on the left ventricle?
End-diastolic volume
Myocardial contractility
Heart rate
Aortic pressure against which the ventricle ejects
Afterload is the load the heart must overcome to eject blood, largely determined by aortic pressure (systemic arterial pressure). Higher aortic pressure increases afterload and workload. Preload and contractility are different concepts affecting output.
Given a mean arterial pressure of 100 mmHg, central venous pressure of 0 mmHg, and systemic vascular resistance of 20 mmHg·min/L, what is cardiac output?
10 L/min
20 L/min
2 L/min
5 L/min
Cardiac output = (MAP ? CVP) / SVR. Here CO = (100 ? 0) / 20 = 5 L/min. This formula relates pressure gradient to flow through resistance.
Using the Fick principle, calculate cardiac output if oxygen consumption is 250 mL/min and arteriovenous oxygen difference is 50 mL O? per L of blood.
2.5 L/min
0.2 L/min
5 L/min
10 L/min
Fick principle: CO = VO? / (Ca ? Cv). With VO? = 250 mL/min and A - V O? difference = 50 mL/L, CO = 250/50 = 5 L/min. This measures cardiac performance via oxygen uptake.
According to Poiseuille's law, if the radius of a vessel is halved, how is blood flow affected assuming other factors remain constant?
Reduced to 1/8 of original
Reduced to 1/2 of original
Reduced to 1/16 of original
Reduced to 1/4 of original
Poiseuille's law states flow ? radius?. Halving radius gives (1/2)? = 1/16 of original flow. This dramatic effect highlights the importance of vessel diameter.
Based on Laplace's law, which change increases wall tension in a spherical chamber most?
Increasing chamber radius
Increasing wall thickness
Decreasing chamber radius
Decreasing internal pressure
Laplace's law (Tension = Pressure × Radius / (2 × Wall thickness)) shows that wall tension increases with larger radius. Increasing wall thickness or decreasing pressure reduces tension.
An increase in end-diastolic volume leads to what change in preload?
Decreased afterload
No change in preload
Decreased preload
Increased preload
Preload is related to ventricular filling; higher end-diastolic volume stretches myocardium more. According to the Frank - Starling mechanism, increased preload enhances stroke volume until an optimal point.
Pulse pressure is directly proportional to which of the following in the arterial system?
Afterload
Heart rate
Stroke volume
Venous return
Pulse pressure (systolic - diastolic pressure) ? Stroke volume / Arterial compliance. When compliance is constant, greater stroke volume yields higher pulse pressure. It reflects the force generated by left ventricular ejection.
In cardiogenic shock with reduced cardiac output, what happens to systemic vascular resistance?
Increases
Decreases
Becomes unpredictable
Remains unchanged
In cardiogenic shock, low cardiac output triggers compensatory vasoconstriction, raising systemic vascular resistance to maintain arterial pressure. However, this further increases afterload, often worsening cardiac performance.
If cardiac output doubles while mean arterial pressure remains constant, how is systemic vascular resistance affected?
Increases slightly
Decreases by half
Remains unchanged
Doubles
Systemic vascular resistance = (MAP ? CVP) / CO. If CO doubles and MAP stays the same, resistance must fall to half to maintain the pressure gradient. This inverse relationship is fundamental to hemodynamics.
Using the Fick method, calculate cardiac output for a patient with VO? of 250 mL/min, hemoglobin 15 g/dL, arterial saturation 98%, mixed venous saturation 75%. Use CaO? = 1.34 × Hb × SaO?.
6.8 L/min
3.5 L/min
5.4 L/min
4.0 L/min
Calculate CaO? = 1.34 × 15 g/dL × 0.98 ? 19.7 mL O?/dL; CvO? = 1.34 × 15 × 0.75 ? 15.1 mL/dL; difference ? 4.6 mL/dL. CO = 250 mL/min ÷ (4.6 mL/dL) = ~54 dL/min = 5.4 L/min.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand EDV Formula -

    Grasp the components of the EDV formula and how end-diastolic volume influences stroke volume in cardiac output calculus.

  2. Calculate Cardiac Output -

    Apply the relationship between heart rate and stroke volume to compute cardiac output using standard cardiac calculations.

  3. Analyze Mean Arterial Pressure -

    Work through mean arterial pressure practice problems to evaluate perfusion pressure and its impact on overall cardiovascular function.

  4. Interpret Practice Problem Results -

    Assess solutions from cardiac output practice problems, identifying common pitfalls and verifying calculation accuracy.

  5. Apply Concepts Clinically -

    Translate quiz findings into real-world scenarios, using cardiac output calculus to inform patient assessment and treatment decisions.

  6. Reinforce Core Principles -

    Consolidate foundational A&P concepts through targeted questions that strengthen your proficiency in essential cardiac calculations.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Fundamental CO Formula -

    Cardiac output calculus hinges on the simple yet powerful equation CO = HR × SV, where heart rate (HR) and stroke volume (SV) drive overall perfusion. For example, a 75 bpm rate with a 70 mL SV yields a CO of 5.25 L/min, demonstrating how small changes in HR or SV can impact output. Mastering this core relationship lays the groundwork for all advanced cardiac calculations.

  2. Deriving Stroke Volume with EDV Formula -

    Stroke volume is derived using the EDV formula: SV = EDV - ESV, reflecting the volume pumped per beat. If end-diastolic volume is 120 mL and end-systolic volume is 50 mL, SV calculates as 70 mL - a crucial step when tackling cardiac output practice problems. This direct link between diastolic filling and stroke output underscores the importance of preload in physiology.

  3. Estimating Mean Arterial Pressure -

    Mean arterial pressure practice problems often use the approximation MAP ≈ DBP + 1/3(SBP - DBP), where SBP/DBP are systolic/diastolic pressures. For instance, 120/80 mmHg yields a MAP of ≈ 80 + 1/3(40) = 93 mmHg, guiding tissue perfusion assessments. Understanding this formula equips you to bridge cardiac output with vascular resistance in real-world scenarios.

  4. Frank-Starling Law and Preload Mnemonic -

    The Frank-Starling mechanism states "more in, more out," meaning increased EDV stretches myocardium and boosts SV. Remember the mnemonic "Heart's Stretch Pumps Best" to recall that preload heightens contractile force in cardiac calculations. This intrinsic auto-regulation ensures output matches venous return without neural input.

  5. Normalizing Output with Cardiac Index -

    Cardiac index refines cardiac output by body size: CI = CO ❄ BSA (m²), with normals of 2.5 - 4.0 L/min/m² for adults. This adjustment is key in critical care when interpreting cardiac output practice problems across patients of varying sizes. Incorporating CI into your toolbox ensures more precise hemodynamic evaluations.

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