Cardiac function: ejection fraction: practice question

A Physiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Physiology · Cardiac function: ejection fraction

Sample item

A healthy adult has an end-diastolic volume of 120 mL and an end-systolic volume of 50 mL on echocardiography. What is the ejection fraction?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. 58%

Stroke volume is end-diastolic volume minus end-systolic volume, 120 minus 50, which is 70 mL. Ejection fraction is stroke volume divided by end-diastolic volume: 70 / 120 = 0.583, or about 58%. A normal value is 55 to 70%.

Option by option

  • A. 83%

    83% would result from dividing 100 by 120, a figure not derived from these volumes.

  • B. 42%

    42% is 50 / 120, the fraction of blood left in the ventricle after systole.

  • C. 58% (correct)

    Correct. 70 / 120 gives about 58%.

  • D. 70%

    70 is the stroke volume in millilitres, not a percentage.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is C, 58%. Stroke volume is end-diastolic volume minus end-systolic volume, 120 minus 50, which is 70 mL.

Why is "83%" not the answer?

83% would result from dividing 100 by 120, a figure not derived from these volumes.

Why is "42%" not the answer?

42% is 50 / 120, the fraction of blood left in the ventricle after systole.

Why is "70%" not the answer?

70 is the stroke volume in millilitres, not a percentage.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiac function: ejection fraction in Physiology. Ejection fraction is stroke volume divided by end-diastolic volume: 70 / 120 = 0.583, or about 58%. A normal value is 55 to 70%.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Cardiac function: ejection fraction?

For each system, sketch the key graph (pressure–volume loop, oxygen dissociation curve, nephron handling) and explain it aloud. Then use the flashcards and the other Physiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.