Questions: 17) The diagnostic term Ar/rhythmia means: obstruction of an artery in the heart heart abnormality present at birth vascular inflammatory disorder variation in normal heart rhythm or contraction

The answer is the fourth one: variation in normal heart rhythm or contraction.

Explanation for each option:

1. Obstruction of an artery in the heart: This is not correct. The term "arrhythmia" refers to an irregularity in the heart's rhythm, not an obstruction. An obstruction of an artery in the heart is typically referred to as a "coronary artery disease" or "myocardial infarction" (heart attack).

2. Heart abnormality present at birth: This is incorrect. A heart abnormality present at birth is known as a "congenital heart defect," not arrhythmia.

3. Vascular inflammatory disorder: This is incorrect. A vascular inflammatory disorder would involve inflammation of the blood vessels, such as "vasculitis," not an irregular heart rhythm.

4. Variation in normal heart rhythm or contraction: This is correct. "Arrhythmia" is a term used to describe any variation from the normal rhythm of the heart, including irregular heartbeats or abnormal heart contractions.

In summary, the diagnostic term "arrhythmia" refers to a variation in the normal heart rhythm or contraction.