Progressive Care Nursing Certification (PCCN) Practice Exam

What are the two major components that determine blood pressure?

1. Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and cardiac output

2. Contractility and SVR

3. Preload and SVR

4. Contractility and cardiac output

The correct answer is: Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and cardiac output

Blood pressure is primarily determined by two major components: systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and cardiac output. Cardiac output refers to the amount of blood the heart pumps in one minute, which is influenced by heart rate and stroke volume. Systemic vascular resistance is the resistance to blood flow offered by all of the blood vessels in the systemic circulation. When cardiac output increases, for example through increased heart rate or stroke volume, blood pressure elevates assuming SVR remains constant. Conversely, if SVR increases due to narrowed blood vessels, this will also lead to an increase in blood pressure if cardiac output is unchanged. Understanding the relationship between these two components is essential for effective management in progressive care nursing, as interventions may focus on modifying either cardiac output (through medications, fluids, etc.) or SVR (via vasodilators or vasoconstrictors) to achieve desired blood pressure levels.