What term describes the volume of blood pumped with each ventricular contraction?

The term that describes the volume of blood pumped with each ventricular contraction is stroke volume. Stroke volume specifically refers to the amount of blood ejected by a ventricle during one heartbeat. It is a critical measurement in understanding the heart's efficiency and performance, as it directly relates to how effectively the heart can supply oxygenated blood to the body’s tissues and organs.

Cardiac output, while related, refers to the total volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute and is calculated by multiplying stroke volume by heart rate. Blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels and is not a measure of volume. Pulse rate indicates how many times the heart beats in a minute and does not describe the volume of blood pumped per contraction.

Understanding stroke volume is essential for assessing a patient’s cardiovascular status, especially in emergency situations where cardiac function may be compromised.