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NUR 631 Advanced Health Assessment
Exam 3 2026/2027 Practice Questions
and Verified Answers Complete Study
Question 1: If the patient reports a skipped or missed beat(s),
particularly with the sensation that the heart stopped momentarily,
what may this indicate?
Correct Answer: This may indicate the presence of ectopic atrial beats
(which are very common and mostly benign) occurring with excessive
caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco use.
Rationale:
1. Ectopic atrial beats are common and usually benign.
2. Triggers include excessive caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco.
3. The sensation of a "skipped beat" or "heart stopping" is characteristic.
4. This is a standard cardiology symptom question.
Question 2: In the elderly population, a report of palpitations should
prompt what test in addition to ECG?
Correct Answer: TSH level.
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Rationale:
1. Hyperthyroidism is a common cause of palpitations in the elderly.
2. TSH screening is indicated to rule out thyroid dysfunction.
3. This is a standard geriatric cardiology question.
Question 3: On some occasions, atrial ectopic beats are precursors to
what two conditions?
Correct Answer: Atrial tachycardia or atrial fibrillation.
Rationale:
1. Atrial ectopic beats can trigger sustained atrial arrhythmias.
2. This is a standard cardiology question.
Question 4: Supraventricular arrhythmias occur most commonly in
patients with which four conditions?
Correct Answer: COPD, rheumatic heart disease, valvular dysfunction, and
hypothyroidism.
Rationale:
1. COPD causes right heart strain and atrial arrhythmias.
2. Rheumatic heart disease and valvular dysfunction cause atrial enlargement.
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3. Hypothyroidism can cause bradycardia but also atrial arrhythmias.
4. This is a standard cardiology question.
Question 5: Ventricular ectopy is more likely to be caused by cardiac
pathology than atrial ectopy and may lead to sudden death. What are the
three types?
Correct Answer: Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), ventricular
tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation.
Rationale:
1. Ventricular ectopy originates in the ventricles and is more serious than atrial
ectopy.
2. PVCs are common but can be benign.
3. Ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation are life-threatening arrhythmias.
4. This is a standard cardiology question.
Question 6: PVCs are very common and, if isolated or asymptomatic, do
not require an extensive workup. However, investigation is indicated if
the patient reports that the palpitations/tachycardia lasted how long?
Correct Answer: >30 seconds.
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Rationale:
1. Palpitations lasting more than 30 seconds warrant further investigation.
2. This is a standard cardiology question.
Question 7: All reports of palpitations require which test?
Correct Answer: ECG (electrocardiogram).
Rationale:
1. ECG is the initial test for any cardiac symptom.
2. It can detect arrhythmias, ischemia, and structural abnormalities.
3. This is a standard cardiology question.
Question 8: Which test is the best for evaluating the function of the
heart?
Correct Answer: ECHO (echocardiogram).
Rationale:
1. Echocardiography assesses valve function, wall motion, and ejection fraction.
2. It is the best noninvasive test for cardiac function.
3. This is a standard cardiology question.
NUR 631 Advanced Health Assessment
Exam 3 2026/2027 Practice Questions
and Verified Answers Complete Study
Question 1: If the patient reports a skipped or missed beat(s),
particularly with the sensation that the heart stopped momentarily,
what may this indicate?
Correct Answer: This may indicate the presence of ectopic atrial beats
(which are very common and mostly benign) occurring with excessive
caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco use.
Rationale:
1. Ectopic atrial beats are common and usually benign.
2. Triggers include excessive caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco.
3. The sensation of a "skipped beat" or "heart stopping" is characteristic.
4. This is a standard cardiology symptom question.
Question 2: In the elderly population, a report of palpitations should
prompt what test in addition to ECG?
Correct Answer: TSH level.
,2|Page
Rationale:
1. Hyperthyroidism is a common cause of palpitations in the elderly.
2. TSH screening is indicated to rule out thyroid dysfunction.
3. This is a standard geriatric cardiology question.
Question 3: On some occasions, atrial ectopic beats are precursors to
what two conditions?
Correct Answer: Atrial tachycardia or atrial fibrillation.
Rationale:
1. Atrial ectopic beats can trigger sustained atrial arrhythmias.
2. This is a standard cardiology question.
Question 4: Supraventricular arrhythmias occur most commonly in
patients with which four conditions?
Correct Answer: COPD, rheumatic heart disease, valvular dysfunction, and
hypothyroidism.
Rationale:
1. COPD causes right heart strain and atrial arrhythmias.
2. Rheumatic heart disease and valvular dysfunction cause atrial enlargement.
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3. Hypothyroidism can cause bradycardia but also atrial arrhythmias.
4. This is a standard cardiology question.
Question 5: Ventricular ectopy is more likely to be caused by cardiac
pathology than atrial ectopy and may lead to sudden death. What are the
three types?
Correct Answer: Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), ventricular
tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation.
Rationale:
1. Ventricular ectopy originates in the ventricles and is more serious than atrial
ectopy.
2. PVCs are common but can be benign.
3. Ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation are life-threatening arrhythmias.
4. This is a standard cardiology question.
Question 6: PVCs are very common and, if isolated or asymptomatic, do
not require an extensive workup. However, investigation is indicated if
the patient reports that the palpitations/tachycardia lasted how long?
Correct Answer: >30 seconds.
, 4|Page
Rationale:
1. Palpitations lasting more than 30 seconds warrant further investigation.
2. This is a standard cardiology question.
Question 7: All reports of palpitations require which test?
Correct Answer: ECG (electrocardiogram).
Rationale:
1. ECG is the initial test for any cardiac symptom.
2. It can detect arrhythmias, ischemia, and structural abnormalities.
3. This is a standard cardiology question.
Question 8: Which test is the best for evaluating the function of the
heart?
Correct Answer: ECHO (echocardiogram).
Rationale:
1. Echocardiography assesses valve function, wall motion, and ejection fraction.
2. It is the best noninvasive test for cardiac function.
3. This is a standard cardiology question.
