AEMCA Practice Exam

How much blood can a healthy heart pump out of the ventricles?

1. 40%-50 ml

2. 70%-80 ml

3. 60%-70 ml

4. 80%-90 ml

The correct answer is: 60%-70 ml

A healthy heart typically pumps out about 70 to 80 milliliters of blood from the ventricles during each contraction, a volume referred to as stroke volume. This amount is essential for maintaining effective circulation and ensuring that adequate blood flow reaches the body’s organs and tissues. The range given represents the average stroke volume in a resting adult and can vary based on factors such as body size, physical condition, and heart health. Understanding the stroke volume is critical in emergency care, as it helps practitioners assess a patient's cardiac output and overall cardiovascular function. Recognizing that 70 to 80 ml is the expected output allows healthcare providers to identify potential issues in a patient’s cardiac performance.