Question

An average cardiac output of an adult is:

• A. 5300 ml/min
• B. 5250 ml/min
• C. 5200 ml/min
• D. 5350 ml/min

Hint:

Remember: Normal cardiac output = 5 L/min (approx). Use CO = SV × HR.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Defining Cardiac Output.
Cardiac output (CO) quantifies the volume of blood expelled by each ventricle per minute.
The formula is:
\[ CO = Stroke \, Volume \times Heart \, Rate \] Step 2: Establishing Normal Values.
- Average adult stroke volume: 70 ml/beat.
- Average adult heart rate: 72 beats/min.
Consequently,
\[ CO = 70 \times 72 = 5040 \, ml/min \approx 5.2 \, L/min \] Step 3: Clinical Significance.
Adequate cardiac output is crucial for delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues.
Significant deviations (either too low or too high) can signal heart failure, shock, or compensatory responses.
Step 4: Evaluating Options.
- (A) 5300 ml/min: Represents a slight elevation, not a typical reference value.
- (B) 5250 ml/min: Close to the standard but not precisely it.
- (C) 5200 ml/min: This is the correct and widely accepted average value.
- (D) 5350 ml/min: Exceeds normal resting values.
Step 5: Conclusion.
The average cardiac output for an adult is approximately 5200 ml/min.