Question

Ventricular relaxation immediately follows _____. a. atrial depolarization b. ventricular repolarization c. ventricular depolarization d. atrial repolarization

Short answer

a. Atrial depolarization b. Ventricular repolarization c. Ventricular depolarization d. Atrial repolarization

Step-by-step solution

Recall the cardiac cycle

In order to solve this problem, you need to recall the different stages of the cardiac cycle and their order. The cardiac cycle consists of atrial and ventricular contraction and relaxation (systole and diastole), as well as electrical events (depolarization and repolarization) that regulate these mechanical processes.

Identify the stages

Now that you know the cardiac cycle, identify the stages that are mentioned in the answer choices: a. Atrial depolarization b. Ventricular repolarization c. Ventricular depolarization d. Atrial repolarization

Determine the correct answer

With the stages identified, you can now determine the correct answer. Ventricular relaxation follows ventricular repolarization, as this is the electrical event that drives the mechanical relaxation process. Therefore, the correct answer is: b. Ventricular repolarization