Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Certification Practice Exam

What is arteriosclerosis?

1. Thickening of arterial walls

2. Narrowing of blood vessels

3. Hardening of the heart muscle

4. Softening of arterial walls

The correct answer is: Thickening of arterial walls

Arteriosclerosis is characterized primarily by the thickening and hardening of the arterial walls. This condition affects the arteries, which are responsible for carrying blood from the heart to various parts of the body. As the walls of the arteries thicken, they can lose elasticity, leading to reduced blood flow and increased blood pressure. This thickening process can be associated with the buildup of fatty deposits (plaque), calcium, and other cellular debris in the vessel walls, which is a significant factor in the development of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attack and stroke. The other options refer to different conditions or characteristics that do not accurately describe arteriosclerosis. Narrowing of blood vessels might occur in conjunction with arteriosclerosis but is not a direct definition. Hardening of the heart muscle relates more to conditions like cardiomyopathy rather than arteries. Softening of arterial walls contradicts the very definition of arteriosclerosis, which involves hardening, not softening. Thus, the definition provided by the correct choice encompasses the essential pathological changes that occur in arteriosclerosis.