SC.912.l.14.36 Cardiovascular System

Students will identify factors that affect blood flow or describe how these factors affect blood flow through the cardiovascular system. 

Items may address factors such as blood pressure, blood volume, resistance, blood viscosity, disease, and exercise. 

1. The rate at which blood flows through the human body changes in response to many factors. Which statement describes one of these factors and its effect on blood flow? 

A. The narrowing of blood vessels increases pressure and leads to faster blood flow. 

B. High blood viscosity increases the resistance in the blood vessels and leads to slower blood flow. 

C. Low blood pH decreases the rate of diffusion through the blood vessels and leads to slower blood flow. 

D. The changing of the shape of red blood cells to a crescent shape decreases resistance and leads to faster blood flow. 

2. Illnesses can often lead to fever and dehydration. How might these symptoms affect a person’s

cardiovascular system?

A. Fever and dehydration increase body temperature and fluids, which decrease a person’s

heart rate and respiration.

B. Fever and dehydration increases body temperature and decreases the amount of fluids,

which increase a person’s heart rate and respiration

C. Fever and dehydration increase body temperature and decrease in the amount of fluids,

which decrease the viscosity of the blood

D. Fever and dehydration increases body temperature and fluids, which increase the viscosity of

the blood.

3. A doctor examines a patient who has high blood pressure and atherosclerosis in the coronary

artery. What medical condition connected to blood flow is most likely to affect this patient in

the future?

A. The patient may develop headaches and confusion due to cancer in the brain caused by years

of low levels of oxygen supplied to the brain.

B. The patient may develop stiff joints and chest pains from the high blood pressure applied to

the muscle and joint tissues of the body.

C. The patient may show signs of confusion, weakness, and partial paralysis due to high blood

pressure when the plaque dislodges and blocks blood flow to the brain.

D. The patient may suffer a heart attack because of the reduction in blood flow to the heart

muscles due to severe plaque build-up in the coronary artery.

Answer Key: 

1. B. High blood viscosity increases the resistance in the blood vessels and leads to slower blood flow.

2. B. Fever and dehydration increases body temperature and decreases the amount of fluids,

which increase a person’s heart rate and respiration

3. D. The patient may suffer a heart attack because of the reduction in blood flow to the heart

muscles due to severe plaque build-up in the coronary artery.