Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification Practice Exam

Peripheral vascular resistance plays a crucial role in determining blood pressure. It refers to the resistance that blood encounters as it moves through the peripheral blood vessels, primarily influenced by the diameter and tone of those vessels.

When peripheral resistance increases, the heart must exert more pressure to circulate blood through those vessels, leading to a rise in blood pressure. Conversely, when resistance decreases, blood pressure tends to drop. This relationship is fundamental in understanding how changes in vascular tonicity or vessel diameter (such as during vasodilation or vasoconstriction) can directly affect blood pressure levels.

While peripheral vascular resistance impacts cardiac output and can indirectly affect stroke volume by altering the dynamics of blood flow, the most direct and immediate effect is on blood pressure. Therefore, understanding that peripheral vascular resistance is a primary determinant of systemic blood pressure is crucial for any cardiac vascular nursing practice.