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The Cardiovascular System for the TEAS 7: Blood Flow Pathway

By Sarah Jenkins, M.S.N. · Updated April 18, 2026

Illustration of the human heart and cardiovascular system blood flow pathway for TEAS 7
What is the blood flow pathway through the heart for the TEAS 7?

Deoxygenated blood enters the Right Atrium via the Vena Cava → Tricuspid Valve → Right Ventricle → Pulmonary Valve → Pulmonary Artery → Lungs (oxygenation) → Pulmonary Vein → Left Atrium → Mitral (Bicuspid) Valve → Left Ventricle → Aortic Valve → Aorta → Body.

Of all the body systems tested heavily on the ATI TEAS 7 Anatomy & Physiology section, the cardiovascular system is arguably the most intimidating for nursing students. But you don't need a medical degree to pass this section — you just need an exact map of what ATI asks.

If you haven't yet grounded yourself in the full scope of the TEAS science section, I highly recommend reviewing our Ultimate TEAS 7 Study Guide to understand exactly how much weight A&P carries on your final score.

The 14-Step Blood Flow Pathway

The ATI TEAS test writers absolutely love asking you to trace a drop of blood through the heart. You will almost certainly see a question asking "Which of the following structures does blood flow through immediately after the pulmonary valve?" You must know this sequence chronologically.

  1. Superior/Inferior Vena Cava (Deoxygenated)
  2. Right Atrium
  3. Tricuspid Valve
  4. Right Ventricle
  5. Pulmonary Valve
  6. Pulmonary Artery
  7. Lungs (Gas exchange occurs here)
  8. Pulmonary Veins (Oxygenated)
  9. Left Atrium
  10. Mitral (Bicuspid) Valve
  11. Left Ventricle
  12. Aortic Valve
  13. Aorta
  14. Rest of the Body
💡 Tutor's Tip: Here's the trick to memorizing the valves in order: "Try Pulling My Aorta" (Tricuspid, Pulmonary, Mitral, Aortic). Write this acronym down on your scratch paper the second you start your TEAS exam.

Arteries vs. Veins (The TEAS Exception)

You probably learned that arteries carry oxygenated blood and veins carry deoxygenated blood. Skip that thought process for the TEAS 7. It will fail you.

Instead, memorize this rule: Arteries carry blood Away from the heart. Veins carry blood towards the heart.

Why does ATI test this? Because of the pulmonary exception. The pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood away from the heart to the lungs. The pulmonary vein carries oxygenated blood back to the heart. They will try to trick you using this exact exception.

The Electrical Conduction System

The heart doesn't wait for your brain to tell it to beat; it runs its own electrical grid. You need to know the sequence of electrical firing.

  • SA (Sinoatrial) Node: This is the "pacemaker" of the heart. It sits in the right atrium and fires the initial spark.
  • AV (Atrioventricular) Node: Briefly delays the signal so the atria can fully empty blood into the ventricles.
  • Bundle of His: Carries the signal down the septum.
  • Purkinje Fibers: Wraps around the ventricles, causing them to contract forcefully and push blood out.

📋 From the Tutor's Desk

I've tutored over 200 TEAS students, and 80% miss questions regarding the thickness of the heart walls. My student Jessica completely bombed a practice test because she couldn't remember which ventricle was thicker. I told her this simple concept: "The right ventricle only has to push blood next door to the lungs. The left ventricle has to push blood all the way down to your toes." When you realize the Left Ventricle has to pump blood to the entire systemic circuit, you instantly know why its muscular wall (myocardium) is the thickest chamber in the heart. She never missed that question again.

Systole vs. Diastole

When you take a patient's blood pressure, you get two numbers (e.g., 120/80). The TEAS will ask you what those phases represent mechanically.

Systole: Working phase. The ventricles contract and pump blood out of the heart.

Diastole: Resting phase. The ventricles relax and fill with blood from the atria.

Don't waste time trying to memorize complex pressure gradients. Your score ROI is in memorizing systole = contracting, diastole = dilating/relaxing.

Check Your Knowledge

After reviewing this section, you should immediately head over to our TEAS 7 Practice Quiz to test your retention on the cardiovascular system.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many cardiovascular questions are on the TEAS 7?
You can expect 3 to 5 questions specifically targeting the cardiovascular system on the TEAS 7 Science section. These usually focus on the blood flow pathway and valve locations.
Which side of the heart has oxygenated blood?
The left side of the heart (left atrium and left ventricle) pumps oxygenated blood returning from the lungs out to the rest of the body.
What is the difference between an artery and a vein?
Arteries carry blood away from the heart (typically oxygenated, except for the pulmonary artery). Veins carry blood towards the heart (typically deoxygenated, except for the pulmonary vein).
What initiates the heartbeat?
The SA (Sinoatrial) node, located in the right atrium, initiates the electrical impulse that causes the heartbeat. It is considered the pacemaker of the heart.

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