Wisconsin CNA State Exam Vocabulary Practice

Which of the following involves coordinated contractions to pump blood through the circulatory system?

1. Cardiac arrest

2. Cardiac cycle

3. Cardiac impulse

4. Heart muscle

The correct answer is: Heart muscle

The correct answer, heart muscle, refers to the specialized muscle tissue known as cardiac muscle that is responsible for the coordinated contractions of the heart. These contractions are crucial for pumping blood throughout the circulatory system. The heart muscle functions rhythmically to ensure that blood is effectively circulated to deliver oxygen and nutrients to various parts of the body while also facilitating the removal of waste products. In contrast, cardiac arrest refers to a condition where the heart stops beating effectively, leading to a halt in blood circulation. The cardiac cycle encompasses the series of events that occur during one heartbeat, including contraction and relaxation, but it is the heart muscle itself that physically performs the action of pumping. Cardiac impulse pertains to the electrical signals that initiate heart contractions and regulate the heart rhythm but does not refer to the physical structures responsible for pumping blood. Therefore, understanding the role of heart muscle clarifies its essential function in the circulatory system.