Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

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Study for the Kaplan Nursing Entrance Exam. Dive into questions with detailed explanations and hints to enhance your understanding. Prepare strategically for a successful exam experience!

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What does the left ventricle do?

Pumps blood to the lungs
Pumps blood through the pulmonary artery
Pumps blood through the aorta to the body
Pumps deoxygenated blood to the heart

The correct answer is: Pumps blood through the aorta to the body

The left ventricle's primary function is to pump oxygenated blood into the aorta, from where it is distributed throughout the entire body. This function is critical because the left ventricle receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs via the left atrium and must generate enough force to push that blood into the aorta against systemic vascular resistance. The aorta is the largest artery in the body, and effective pumping from the left ventricle ensures that all body tissues receive the oxygen and nutrients they need for cellular functions. Understanding this role of the left ventricle highlights why other options do not accurately describe its function. The pumping to the lungs is handled by the right ventricle, which sends deoxygenated blood to be reoxygenated in the lungs, while deoxygenated blood being pumped to the heart is not something the left ventricle does, as the left side specifically deals with oxygenated blood. The pulmonary artery specifically functions in carrying blood to the lungs, which does not involve the left ventricle.