Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

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Prepare for the EMT Intermediate Exam. Utilize multiple choice questions with detailed explanations and hints. Get the confidence you need to pass your exam and advance your career in emergency medical services!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

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If a person has a stroke volume of 60 mL and a heart rate of 90 beats/min, what is their cardiac output?

4.5 L
5.4 L
6.0 L
7.2 L

The correct answer is: 5.4 L

To calculate cardiac output, you need to use the formula that involves stroke volume and heart rate. Cardiac output is defined as the amount of blood that the heart pumps in one minute. This can be calculated using the formula: Cardiac Output (CO) = Stroke Volume (SV) x Heart Rate (HR) In this case, the stroke volume is 60 mL and the heart rate is 90 beats per minute. First, it’s necessary to convert the stroke volume from mL to liters since cardiac output is typically expressed in liters per minute. So, 60 mL is equivalent to 0.060 liters. Now, applying the values to the formula: CO = 0.060 L x 90 beats/min = 5.4 L/min The calculated cardiac output of 5.4 L/min indicates the volume of blood being pumped by the heart each minute. This figure is important in assessing the efficiency of the heart's function and the overall circulatory health of the individual. Thus, the correct answer reflects the proper application of the cardiac output formula using the given stroke volume and heart rate.