Which statement is TRUE about cardiac output?

Question

Group of answer choices

Cardiac output is the amount of blood that the heart pumps out of the left ventricle.

Cardiac output is unvaried by body size.

Cardiac output is increased in heart failure.

Adrenergic stimulation slows heart rate and cholinergic stimulation raises heart rate.

Answer 1

The TRUE statement about cardiac output from the choices provided is:

Cardiac output is the amount of blood that the heart pumps out of the left ventricle.

Explanation: Cardiac output (CO) is defined as the volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute, and it is specifically measured from the left ventricle.

The other statements are not accurate:

• Cardiac output can vary based on body size, as larger individuals typically have a higher cardiac output due to a larger blood volume and greater metabolic needs.
• Cardiac output is generally decreased in heart failure, not increased, because the heart's ability to pump effectively is compromised.
• Adrenergic stimulation actually raises heart rate (e.g., through the action of adrenaline), while cholinergic stimulation (through acetylcholine) slows heart rate.