Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam 2026 – The All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

The term that describes the movement of oxygenated blood to the body is systemic circulation. This process begins when oxygen-rich blood is pumped from the left side of the heart, through the aorta, and into the various arteries that supply oxygen to tissues and organs throughout the body. Systemic circulation is essential for delivering the oxygen and nutrients needed for cellular metabolism and overall functioning of body systems.

In contrast, pulmonary circulation refers specifically to the movement of deoxygenated blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs, where it is oxygenated. Coronary circulation deals with the flow of blood specifically to and from the tissues of the heart itself, ensuring that cardiac muscle receives the oxygen it needs. Venous return describes the process of deoxygenated blood returning to the heart from the body, not the distribution of oxygenated blood. Thus, systemic circulation is the correct term for the movement of oxygenated blood to the body.