The pressure in the arteries when the ventricles are relaxing is known as:

• A. Systolic Pressure
• B. Diastolic Pressure
• C. Venous Pressure
• D. Plasma

Answer: (B)

This question tests how arterial pressure changes as the heart goes through its cycle. When the ventricles contract, blood is forced into the arteries, raising pressure to a peak called systolic pressure. As the ventricles relax between beats, arterial pressure falls to its lowest level, which is the diastolic pressure. So the pressure in the arteries while the ventricles are relaxing is diastolic pressure. Venous pressure is the pressure in the veins, not the arteries, and plasma is the liquid part of blood, not a pressure value.