Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

Which heart valves close to produce the S1 heart sound?

1. Atrioventricular valves

2. Semilunar valves

3. Aortic valves

4. Pulmonary valves

The correct answer is: Atrioventricular valves

The S1 heart sound, often referred to as the "lub" sound, is produced primarily by the closure of the atrioventricular (AV) valves. These valves, which include the mitral valve on the left side of the heart and the tricuspid valve on the right, close at the beginning of ventricular contraction (systole) to prevent the backflow of blood into the atria. The rapid deceleration of blood within the chambers of the heart, alongside the closing of these valves, generates the sound associated with S1. This understanding is crucial for assessing heart sounds in clinical practice, as recognizing the timing and significance of S1 can help in diagnosing various cardiac conditions. Knowing that the S1 sound is related to the closing of the AV valves allows for better contextualization when evaluating heart sounds during physical examinations.