Want to test your physiology knowledge before the CRNA exam? Below are free sample flashcards from the 150-card physiology section of our 1050-card CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) deck, which covers LV, Left Ventricular, SV, Stroke Volume and more.
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A patient receives a 500 mL crystalloid bolus. How does this acutely alter the Left Ventricular (LV) pressure-volume loop?
Show answer →Increased preload shifts the right side of the loop (End-Diastolic Volume, EDV) further to the right. This increases stroke volume (width of the loop) via the Frank-Starling mechanism. Rational: More filling = more stretch = more force. NBCRNA Note: Preload is the primary determinant of SV in the healthy heart. Distractor: It does not significantly change the End-Systolic Pressure-Volume Relationship (ESPVR) slope, which represents contractility.
Phenylephrine is administered to treat hypotension. What specific changes occur to the LV pressure-volume loop?
Show answer →Phenylephrine increases SVR (afterload). The loop becomes taller and narrower. Specifically: 1) Increased End-Systolic Volume (ESV) - the loop's left boundary shifts right; 2) Increased peak systolic pressure; 3) Decreased Stroke Volume (SV). Clinical Pearl: High afterload opposes shortening, reducing SV unless contractility compensates. NBCRNA Tip: Watch for narrowing of the loop as a hallmark of increased afterload.
A patient is started on a Dobutamine infusion. How does the LV pressure-volume loop reflect this change in inotropic state?
Show answer →Increased contractility increases the slope of the End-Systolic Pressure-Volume Relationship (ESPVR). The loop shifts to the left: 1) Decreased End-Systolic Volume (ESV); 2) Increased Stroke Volume (SV); 3) Increased Ejection Fraction (EF). Rationale: The ventricle empties more completely at any given afterload. Exam Strategy: ESPVR is the gold standard for assessing load-independent contractility on the PV loop.
During which phase of the cardiac cycle does the LV pressure fall most rapidly while the volume remains constant, and which valves are closed?
Show answer →Phase: Isovolumetric Relaxation. Valves: Both Aortic and Mitral valves are closed. This begins after the aortic valve closes (dicrotic notch on arterial line) and ends when LV pressure falls below left atrial pressure, opening the mitral valve. NBCRNA Focus: This is an energy-consuming process (Lusitropy). Impairment (e.g., ischemia) leads to diastolic dysfunction.
On a standard LV pressure-volume loop, how is Stroke Volume (SV) graphically represented, and what is the formula using loop parameters?
Show answer →SV is the horizontal width of the loop. Formula: SV = EDV - ESV (End-Diastolic Volume minus End-Systolic Volume). Clinical Significance: The area inside the loop represents Stroke Work (SW), which correlates with myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2). Exam Tip: If the loop widens, SV has increased; if it narrows, SV has decreased.
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Try 30 free CRNA cards firstThe full CRNA deck contains 1050 flashcards, and 150 of them focus on physiology. This page shows 5 free samples.
Our CRNA deck dedicates 150 of 1050 cards (14%) to physiology — always cross-check the official NBCRNA exam outline for the current blueprint weighting.
Yes — the samples on this page are free, and the CRNA preview page has 30 more free cards. Full access to all 1050 cards is a one-time $7.
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