NURS 3301: EXAM 3 STUDY GUIDE (PART 1) | 106 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS.
What is the thorax? Answer - The chest region containing the lungs, heart, and
major blood vessels.
What are the components of the thoracic cage? Answer - Sternum, clavicles,
scapulae, 12 thoracic vertebrae, and 12 pairs of ribs.
What are the three major compartments of the thoracic cavity? Answer -
Airways, blood vessels, and interstitium (mediastinum).
What is the clinical significance of the suprasternal notch? Answer - It is used
as a starting point to locate ribs.
What is the Sternal Angle (Angle of Louis)? Answer - The ridge where the
manubrium meets the sternum, continuous with the 2nd rib.
What are the lobes of the right lung? Answer - Upper lobe, middle lobe, and
lower lobe.
What is the primary trigger for breathing? Answer - Increased CO₂ level in
blood.
What is the difference between inspiration and expiration? Answer -
Inspiration is an active process; expiration is passive.
, What are common respiratory symptoms? Answer - Dyspnea, orthopnea,
paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, cough, and sputum.
What is dyspnea? Answer - Subjective feeling of shortness of breath.
What is orthopnea? Answer - Difficulty breathing when lying flat.
What is paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea? Answer - Sudden shortness of breath
during sleep due to fluid redistribution.
What is the significance of the abdominal quadrants? Answer - They help
localize abdominal findings for assessment.
What organs are found in the RUQ? Answer - Liver and gallbladder.
What is mechanical digestion? Answer - Physical breakdown of food, including
chewing and peristalsis.
Where does most nutrient absorption occur? Answer - In the small intestine.
What are common abdominal symptoms? Answer - Indigestion, anorexia,
nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, dysphagia, and jaundice.
What is the order of abdominal physical assessment? Answer - Inspection,
auscultation, percussion, palpation.
ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS.
What is the thorax? Answer - The chest region containing the lungs, heart, and
major blood vessels.
What are the components of the thoracic cage? Answer - Sternum, clavicles,
scapulae, 12 thoracic vertebrae, and 12 pairs of ribs.
What are the three major compartments of the thoracic cavity? Answer -
Airways, blood vessels, and interstitium (mediastinum).
What is the clinical significance of the suprasternal notch? Answer - It is used
as a starting point to locate ribs.
What is the Sternal Angle (Angle of Louis)? Answer - The ridge where the
manubrium meets the sternum, continuous with the 2nd rib.
What are the lobes of the right lung? Answer - Upper lobe, middle lobe, and
lower lobe.
What is the primary trigger for breathing? Answer - Increased CO₂ level in
blood.
What is the difference between inspiration and expiration? Answer -
Inspiration is an active process; expiration is passive.
, What are common respiratory symptoms? Answer - Dyspnea, orthopnea,
paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, cough, and sputum.
What is dyspnea? Answer - Subjective feeling of shortness of breath.
What is orthopnea? Answer - Difficulty breathing when lying flat.
What is paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea? Answer - Sudden shortness of breath
during sleep due to fluid redistribution.
What is the significance of the abdominal quadrants? Answer - They help
localize abdominal findings for assessment.
What organs are found in the RUQ? Answer - Liver and gallbladder.
What is mechanical digestion? Answer - Physical breakdown of food, including
chewing and peristalsis.
Where does most nutrient absorption occur? Answer - In the small intestine.
What are common abdominal symptoms? Answer - Indigestion, anorexia,
nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, dysphagia, and jaundice.
What is the order of abdominal physical assessment? Answer - Inspection,
auscultation, percussion, palpation.
