Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

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Prepare for the Kaplan Nursing Entrance Exam with our comprehensive quiz. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with detailed hints and explanations, to increase your readiness and confidence for the test!

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Where is the pacemaker region located in the heart?

Atria
Ventricles
Sinoatrial node
Coronary arteries

The correct answer is: Sinoatrial node

The pacemaker region of the heart is located in the sinoatrial node, which is often referred to as the SA node. This specialized cluster of cells is situated in the right atrium, where it plays a crucial role in setting the rhythm of the heartbeat. The SA node generates electrical impulses that initiate each heartbeat, causing the atria to contract and pump blood into the ventricles. This electrical activity spreads through the atria and then to the ventricles via the atrioventricular node and the His-Purkinje system, coordinating the overall contraction of the heart. The atria, while they house the sinoatrial node, do not serve as the primary pacemaker. The ventricles are responsible for pumping blood out of the heart but do not initiate the heartbeat. Lastly, the coronary arteries are responsible for supplying blood to the heart muscle itself and do not play a role in pacemaking. Therefore, identifying the sinoatrial node as the pacemaker is fundamental to understanding cardiac physiology and the regulation of heart rhythm.