NR 305 Health Assessment Week 6: Cardiovascular and Peripheral
Vascular Systems 2026 |Chamberlain College
1. When auscultating the heart, the nurse knows that the S1 sound is produced
by the:
A. Closure of the aortic and pulmonic valves
B. Beginning of atrial systole
C. Opening of the semilunar valves
D. Closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves
Answer: D
Rationale: S1 occurs with the closure of the atrioventricular (AV) valves (mitral and
tricuspid) and signals the beginning of systole.
2. Where is the best location to auscultate the aortic valve?
A. Second left intercostal space at the upper left sternal border
B. Second right intercostal space at the upper right sternal border
C. Fifth intercostal space at the left midclavicular line
D. Fourth intercostal space at the left lower sternal border
Answer: B
Rationale: The aortic area is located at the second right intercostal space.
,3. The nurse observes a patient with a 160-degree angle of the nail bed. What
does this finding indicate?
A. Early clubbing
B. Peripheral cyanosis
C. Severe oxygen deprivation
D. Normal finding
Answer: D
Rationale: The normal nail-bed angle is 160 degrees. Clubbing begins at 180 degrees or
more.
4. During a cardiovascular assessment, the nurse notes a ‘swishing’ sound over
the carotid artery. This is documented as:
A. A murmur
B. A thrill
C. A heave
D. A bruit
Answer: D
Rationale: A bruit is a blowing, swishing sound indicating blood flow turbulence, usually
heard over an artery.
5. The nurse is grading a patient’s peripheral pulses and notes they are ‘normal.’
Which numerical scale represents this?
A. 1+
B. 2+
C. 3+
D. 4+
Answer: B
Rationale: A 2+ pulse is considered normal; 1+ is weak/thready, 3+ is full/increased, and
4+ is bounding.
, 6. Which of the following is a classic symptom of arterial insufficiency in the
lower extremities?
A. Intermittent claudication
B. Brownish skin discoloration
C. Pitting edema
D. Warmth and redness
Answer: A
Rationale: Intermittent claudication (pain with exercise relieved by rest) is a hallmark sign
of arterial insufficiency.
7. To assess for Jugular Venous Distention (JVD), the nurse should position the
patient at:
A. A 90-degree angle
B. A 10-degree angle
C. A flat supine position
D. A 45-degree angle
Answer: D
Rationale: JVD is typically assessed with the head of the bed between 30 and 45 degrees.
8. The S2 heart sound is caused by the closure of which valves?
A. Mitral and Tricuspid
B. Aortic and Pulmonic
C. Aortic and Mitral
D. Pulmonic and Tricuspid
Answer: B
Rationale: S2 occurs with the closure of the semilunar valves (aortic and pulmonic) and
signals the end of systole.
Vascular Systems 2026 |Chamberlain College
1. When auscultating the heart, the nurse knows that the S1 sound is produced
by the:
A. Closure of the aortic and pulmonic valves
B. Beginning of atrial systole
C. Opening of the semilunar valves
D. Closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves
Answer: D
Rationale: S1 occurs with the closure of the atrioventricular (AV) valves (mitral and
tricuspid) and signals the beginning of systole.
2. Where is the best location to auscultate the aortic valve?
A. Second left intercostal space at the upper left sternal border
B. Second right intercostal space at the upper right sternal border
C. Fifth intercostal space at the left midclavicular line
D. Fourth intercostal space at the left lower sternal border
Answer: B
Rationale: The aortic area is located at the second right intercostal space.
,3. The nurse observes a patient with a 160-degree angle of the nail bed. What
does this finding indicate?
A. Early clubbing
B. Peripheral cyanosis
C. Severe oxygen deprivation
D. Normal finding
Answer: D
Rationale: The normal nail-bed angle is 160 degrees. Clubbing begins at 180 degrees or
more.
4. During a cardiovascular assessment, the nurse notes a ‘swishing’ sound over
the carotid artery. This is documented as:
A. A murmur
B. A thrill
C. A heave
D. A bruit
Answer: D
Rationale: A bruit is a blowing, swishing sound indicating blood flow turbulence, usually
heard over an artery.
5. The nurse is grading a patient’s peripheral pulses and notes they are ‘normal.’
Which numerical scale represents this?
A. 1+
B. 2+
C. 3+
D. 4+
Answer: B
Rationale: A 2+ pulse is considered normal; 1+ is weak/thready, 3+ is full/increased, and
4+ is bounding.
, 6. Which of the following is a classic symptom of arterial insufficiency in the
lower extremities?
A. Intermittent claudication
B. Brownish skin discoloration
C. Pitting edema
D. Warmth and redness
Answer: A
Rationale: Intermittent claudication (pain with exercise relieved by rest) is a hallmark sign
of arterial insufficiency.
7. To assess for Jugular Venous Distention (JVD), the nurse should position the
patient at:
A. A 90-degree angle
B. A 10-degree angle
C. A flat supine position
D. A 45-degree angle
Answer: D
Rationale: JVD is typically assessed with the head of the bed between 30 and 45 degrees.
8. The S2 heart sound is caused by the closure of which valves?
A. Mitral and Tricuspid
B. Aortic and Pulmonic
C. Aortic and Mitral
D. Pulmonic and Tricuspid
Answer: B
Rationale: S2 occurs with the closure of the semilunar valves (aortic and pulmonic) and
signals the end of systole.
