Which value would be most representative of an adult's normal resting cardiac output?

Cardiac output is a critical parameter that reflects the amount of blood the heart pumps per minute. For a healthy adult at rest, the normal range of cardiac output is typically between 4 to 8 liters per minute, with a common approximation being around 5 liters per minute for an average-sized adult. This value represents the total blood flow necessary to meet the metabolic demands of the body at rest.

Understanding that the cardiac output can vary based on factors such as body size, age, and physical fitness is essential. However, in a standard resting state, having a cardiac output around 5 liters per minute is widely accepted as the norm.

Values that exceed this, such as 10 liters per minute or higher, often occur under conditions of increased activity, stress, or in individuals with health conditions that necessitate higher output, but they do not represent the resting state. This is why a value of 5 liters per minute is the most representative option for an adult's normal resting cardiac output.