Cardiovascular: arterial compliance: 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 · Cardiovascular: arterial compliance

Sample item

A 72-year-old woman has a blood pressure of 170/70 mmHg with a normal stroke volume. Which change in the arterial system best explains her wide pulse pressure?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Reduced compliance of the aorta and large arteries

Pulse pressure is roughly stroke volume divided by arterial compliance. A stiffened aorta cannot expand to accommodate the ejected volume, so systolic pressure rises steeply, and with less elastic recoil, diastolic pressure falls. This produces isolated systolic hypertension with a wide pulse pressure in the elderly.

Option by option

  • A. Increased compliance of the aorta

    Greater compliance would buffer the stroke volume and narrow the pulse pressure.

  • B. Marked fall in blood volume

    Hypovolaemia reduces stroke volume and narrows the pulse pressure.

  • C. Reduced compliance of the aorta and large arteries (correct)

    Correct. Stiff, less compliant arteries increase pulse pressure for the same stroke volume.

  • D. Reduced heart rate with fall in cardiac output

    Bradycardia lengthens diastole and lowers diastolic pressure, but with a low output it would not raise systolic pressure to 170.

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, Reduced compliance of the aorta and large arteries. Pulse pressure is roughly stroke volume divided by arterial compliance.

Why is "Increased compliance of the aorta" not the answer?

Greater compliance would buffer the stroke volume and narrow the pulse pressure.

Why is "Marked fall in blood volume" not the answer?

Hypovolaemia reduces stroke volume and narrows the pulse pressure.

Why is "Reduced heart rate with fall in cardiac output" not the answer?

Bradycardia lengthens diastole and lowers diastolic pressure, but with a low output it would not raise systolic pressure to 170.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiovascular: arterial compliance in Physiology. A stiffened aorta cannot expand to accommodate the ejected volume, so systolic pressure rises steeply, and with less elastic recoil, diastolic pressure falls. This produces isolated systolic hypertension with a wide pulse pressure in the elderly.

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 Cardiovascular: arterial compliance?

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.