Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Practice Exam

What does the pulmonary vascular system create resistance against?

1. Blood flow into the ventricles

2. Blood flow out of the right ventricle

3. Blood flow through the aorta

4. Blood returning to the pulmonary veins

The correct answer is: Blood flow out of the right ventricle

The pulmonary vascular system is primarily responsible for managing the resistance encountered by blood as it flows out of the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery. This system plays a crucial role in ensuring that deoxygenated blood is effectively transported to the lungs for oxygenation. The resistance created by the pulmonary vasculature is essential for maintaining adequate pressure in the right ventricle, which allows for efficient blood flow through the pulmonary circuit. This resistance must be finely tuned; too much resistance can lead to right ventricular overload and pulmonary hypertension, while too little resistance can compromise blood flow dynamics. In contrast, the other choices relate to different aspects of the circulatory system. Blood flow into the ventricles pertains to the preload on the heart, while blood flow through the aorta is associated with systemic circulation, governed by the systemic vascular resistance. Blood returning to the pulmonary veins focuses on post-pulmonary circuit flow, which does not directly address the resistance created by the pulmonary vascular system itself. Therefore, understanding the specific role of the pulmonary vascular system in creating resistance against blood flow out of the right ventricle is crucial for grasping its function in the overall cardiovascular system.