NHA Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)Foundational Knowledge and Basic ScienceMedium
A patient experiences a sudden onset of chest pain radiating to the left arm, shortness of breath, and diaphoresis. The medical assistant suspects a myocardial infarction. Which of the following chambers of the heart is primarily responsible for pumping oxygenated blood to the rest of the body?
- ARight ventricle
- BLeft atrium
- CLeft ventricle
- DRight atrium
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Left ventricle
The left ventricle is the strongest chamber of the heart, responsible for pumping oxygenated blood through the aorta to the systemic circulation, supplying the entire body. Its failure during a myocardial infarction significantly impacts systemic perfusion.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. The right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
- B. The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs.
- D. The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body.
Heart Chambers and Function
The heart has four chambers, each with a specific role in circulating blood throughout the body and to the lungs.
- Right atrium: receives deoxygenated blood from body.
- Right ventricle: pumps deoxygenated blood to lungs.
- Left atrium: receives oxygenated blood from lungs.
- Left ventricle: pumps oxygenated blood to body (strongest chamber).
Memory trick: Right takes De-O, Left gives O to Go!