NSG 3160 Health Assessment Exam 3 2026/2027 Questions and
Correct Answers with Rationale | Newest Update | Galen College of
Nursing
1. When assessing the heart, where is the Mitral valve area (apex) located?
A. Second right intercostal space
B. Fifth intercostal space at the left midclavicular line
C. Second left intercostal space
D. Fourth intercostal space at the left sternal border
Answer: B
Rationale: The apical pulse and the mitral valve are best auscultated at the fifth intercostal
space, left midclavicular line.
2. Which sequence is the correct order for performing an abdominal
assessment?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
B. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation
Answer: A
Rationale: In abdominal assessment, auscultation is performed before percussion and
palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds.
,3. Which breath sound is considered normal when heard over most of the
peripheral lung fields?
A. Bronchial
B. Bronchovesicular
C. Adventitious
D. Vesicular
Answer: D
Rationale: Vesicular breath sounds are soft, low-pitched sounds heard over the majority of
the lung surface.
4. The nurse notes a ‘thrill’ while palpating the precordium. What does this
finding represent?
A. A normal heart rhythm
B. The closure of the aortic valve
C. An enlarged liver
D. A palpable vibration signaling turbulent blood flow
Answer: D
Rationale: A thrill is a palpable vibration that often accompanies loud heart murmurs and
indicates turbulent blood flow.
, 5. When percussing the lungs of a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD), what sound does the nurse expect to hear?
A. Hyperresonance
B. Dullness
C. Tympany
D. Resonance
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperresonance is a lower-pitched, booming sound found when too much air is
present, such as in emphysema or COPD.
6. What is the significance of a positive Murphy’s sign?
A. Inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis)
B. Inflammation of the appendix
C. Peritoneal irritation
D. Ascites
Answer: A
Rationale: Murphy’s sign is tested by asking the patient to take a deep breath while the
nurse palpates the liver border; pain upon inspiration suggests gallbladder inflammation.
7. The S2 heart sound is caused by the closure of which valves?
A. Mitral and Tricuspid
B. Aortic and Pulmonic
Correct Answers with Rationale | Newest Update | Galen College of
Nursing
1. When assessing the heart, where is the Mitral valve area (apex) located?
A. Second right intercostal space
B. Fifth intercostal space at the left midclavicular line
C. Second left intercostal space
D. Fourth intercostal space at the left sternal border
Answer: B
Rationale: The apical pulse and the mitral valve are best auscultated at the fifth intercostal
space, left midclavicular line.
2. Which sequence is the correct order for performing an abdominal
assessment?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
B. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
C. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
D. Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation
Answer: A
Rationale: In abdominal assessment, auscultation is performed before percussion and
palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds.
,3. Which breath sound is considered normal when heard over most of the
peripheral lung fields?
A. Bronchial
B. Bronchovesicular
C. Adventitious
D. Vesicular
Answer: D
Rationale: Vesicular breath sounds are soft, low-pitched sounds heard over the majority of
the lung surface.
4. The nurse notes a ‘thrill’ while palpating the precordium. What does this
finding represent?
A. A normal heart rhythm
B. The closure of the aortic valve
C. An enlarged liver
D. A palpable vibration signaling turbulent blood flow
Answer: D
Rationale: A thrill is a palpable vibration that often accompanies loud heart murmurs and
indicates turbulent blood flow.
, 5. When percussing the lungs of a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD), what sound does the nurse expect to hear?
A. Hyperresonance
B. Dullness
C. Tympany
D. Resonance
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperresonance is a lower-pitched, booming sound found when too much air is
present, such as in emphysema or COPD.
6. What is the significance of a positive Murphy’s sign?
A. Inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis)
B. Inflammation of the appendix
C. Peritoneal irritation
D. Ascites
Answer: A
Rationale: Murphy’s sign is tested by asking the patient to take a deep breath while the
nurse palpates the liver border; pain upon inspiration suggests gallbladder inflammation.
7. The S2 heart sound is caused by the closure of which valves?
A. Mitral and Tricuspid
B. Aortic and Pulmonic
