Patient Care Technician (PCT) AAH Practice Exam

What is the term for a sound of faulty action when the heart valves close?

1. Arrhythmia

2. Heart murmur

3. Stenosis

4. Cardiac arrest

The correct answer is: Heart murmur

The term used to describe a sound of faulty action when the heart valves close is a heart murmur. A heart murmur is an abnormal sound heard during a heartbeat, typically indicating turbulent or abnormal blood flow within the heart. While normal heart sounds are usually clear, a murmur may indicate underlying issues such as valve irregularities or the presence of additional blood flow patterns. In contrast, arrhythmia refers to an irregular heartbeat or abnormal heart rhythm, and while it can cause changes in sound, it does not specifically relate to the sounds created by the closing of heart valves. Stenosis, which describes a narrowing of a heart valve, can also lead to a murmur, but the term itself doesn't specifically denote the sound produced. Cardiac arrest is a critical medical emergency indicating that the heart has stopped functioning, not a sound related to valve closure. Therefore, the recognition that a heart murmur signifies abnormal closure of heart valves is crucial for understanding cardiovascular health.