NSG 3160 Health Assessment Exam 3 — Practice
Questions, Questions with Correct Answers &
Detailed Rationales Updated for 2026 | Based on
Jarvis & Galen College Curriculum
Exam Overview: NSG 3160 Health Assessment Exam 3 typically covers
advanced physical assessment concepts including cardiovascular and peripheral
vascular assessment, respiratory assessment, abdominal assessment,
musculoskeletal assessment, and neurological assessment.
Question 1
During a cardiac assessment, the nurse knows that the first heart sound (S1) is
caused by the:
A. Closure of the semilunar valves
B. Closure of the atrioventricular (AV) valves
C. Opening of the aortic valve
D. Filling of the ventricles
Correct Answer: B — Closure of the atrioventricular (AV) valves
Rationale: S1 (the "lub") marks the beginning of systole and is produced by the
closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves (AV valves). S1 is best heard at the apex
of the heart. The closure of the semilunar valves (aortic and pulmonic) produces S2
(the "dub").
Question 2
To auscultate the aortic valve area, the nurse should place the stethoscope at the:
A. Second right intercostal space at the upper right sternal border
B. Second left intercostal space at the upper left sternal border
C. Fifth intercostal space at the left midclavicular line
D. Fourth left intercostal space at the left lower sternal border
,Correct Answer: A — Second right intercostal space at the upper right
sternal border
Rationale: The aortic valve is best heard at the 2nd intercostal space at the right
sternal margin. This is where the sound of the aortic valve is most clearly
transmitted.
Question 3
Where is the pulmonic valve best auscultated?
A. 2nd intercostal space, right sternal margin
B. 2nd intercostal space, left sternal border
C. 3rd intercostal space, left sternal border
D. 5th intercostal space, left midclavicular line
Correct Answer: B — 2nd intercostapace, left sternal border
Rationale: The pulmonic valve is best heard at the 2nd intercostal space at the left
sternal border. This location corresponds to the anatomic position of the pulmonic
valve in the left upper chest.
Question 4
Where is the mitral valve best auscultated?
A. 2nd intercostal space, right sternal margin
B. 2nd intercostal space, left sternal border
C. 3rd intercostal space, left sternal border
D. 5th intercostal space, left midclavicular line
Correct Answer: D — 5th intercostal space, left midclavicular line
Rationale: The mitral valve is best heard at the 5th intercostal space at the left
midclavicular line (the apex of the heart). This location is also known as the apical
area or point of maximal impulse (PMI).
Question 5
Where is the tricuspid valve best auscultated?
,A. 2nd intercostal space, right sternal margin
B. 2nd intercostal space, left sternal border
C. Left lower sternal border
D. 5th intercostal space, left midclavicular line
Correct Answer: C — Left lower sternal border
Rationale: The tricuspid valve is best heard at the left lower sternal border. This
corresponds to the anatomic position of the tricuspid valve on the right side of the
heart, with sounds transmitted to the left lower sternal area.
Question 6
What is the apical impulse (point of maximal impulse, PMI) and where is it
assessed?
A. Palpated at the 2nd intercostal space, left sternal border
B. Palpated at the 5th intercostal space, left midclavicular line
C. Palpated at the right sternal margin
D. Palpated at the epigastric area
Correct Answer: B — Palpated at the 5th intercostal space, left midclavicular
line
Rationale: The apical impulse (PMI) is the lowest and most lateral point where the
cardiac impulse is palpable, corresponding to the apex of the left ventricle. It is
normally located at the 5th intercostal space in the left midclavicular line.
Displacement of the PMI may indicate cardiac enlargement.
Question 7
What does a thrill indicate during cardiac assessment?
A. Normal cardiac function
B. Turbulent blood flow
C. Decreased cardiac output
D. Increased blood pressure
Correct Answer: B — Turbulent blood flow
, Rationale: A thrill is a palpable vibration that feels like the throat of a purring cat.
It is caused by turbulent blood flow and directs the examiner to the location of loud
murmurs. A thrill is always an abnormal finding and indicates significant turbulent
flow, often associated with valvular heart disease.
Question 8
A nurse hears a "blowing, swooshing" sound during cardiac auscultation. What is
this most likely?
A. S1
B. S2
C. A murmur
D. Pericardial friction rub
Correct Answer: C — A murmur
Rationale: A murmur is a blowing or swooshing sound that occurs with turbulent
blood flow in the heart. Murmurs can be systolic, diastolic, or continuous and are
characterized by timing, location, radiation, intensity, pitch, and quality.
Question 9
Which heart sound is considered a "ventricular gallop" and is often an early sign of
heart failure in older adults?
A. S1
B. S2
C. S3
D. S4
Correct Answer: C — S3
Rationale: An S3 heart sound is a low-pitched diastolic sound that occurs early in
diastole during rapid ventricular filling. It is considered a "ventricular gallop" and
can be an early sign of heart failure, especially in older adults. In younger
individuals, an S3 can be a normal finding (physiologic S3).
Questions, Questions with Correct Answers &
Detailed Rationales Updated for 2026 | Based on
Jarvis & Galen College Curriculum
Exam Overview: NSG 3160 Health Assessment Exam 3 typically covers
advanced physical assessment concepts including cardiovascular and peripheral
vascular assessment, respiratory assessment, abdominal assessment,
musculoskeletal assessment, and neurological assessment.
Question 1
During a cardiac assessment, the nurse knows that the first heart sound (S1) is
caused by the:
A. Closure of the semilunar valves
B. Closure of the atrioventricular (AV) valves
C. Opening of the aortic valve
D. Filling of the ventricles
Correct Answer: B — Closure of the atrioventricular (AV) valves
Rationale: S1 (the "lub") marks the beginning of systole and is produced by the
closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves (AV valves). S1 is best heard at the apex
of the heart. The closure of the semilunar valves (aortic and pulmonic) produces S2
(the "dub").
Question 2
To auscultate the aortic valve area, the nurse should place the stethoscope at the:
A. Second right intercostal space at the upper right sternal border
B. Second left intercostal space at the upper left sternal border
C. Fifth intercostal space at the left midclavicular line
D. Fourth left intercostal space at the left lower sternal border
,Correct Answer: A — Second right intercostal space at the upper right
sternal border
Rationale: The aortic valve is best heard at the 2nd intercostal space at the right
sternal margin. This is where the sound of the aortic valve is most clearly
transmitted.
Question 3
Where is the pulmonic valve best auscultated?
A. 2nd intercostal space, right sternal margin
B. 2nd intercostal space, left sternal border
C. 3rd intercostal space, left sternal border
D. 5th intercostal space, left midclavicular line
Correct Answer: B — 2nd intercostapace, left sternal border
Rationale: The pulmonic valve is best heard at the 2nd intercostal space at the left
sternal border. This location corresponds to the anatomic position of the pulmonic
valve in the left upper chest.
Question 4
Where is the mitral valve best auscultated?
A. 2nd intercostal space, right sternal margin
B. 2nd intercostal space, left sternal border
C. 3rd intercostal space, left sternal border
D. 5th intercostal space, left midclavicular line
Correct Answer: D — 5th intercostal space, left midclavicular line
Rationale: The mitral valve is best heard at the 5th intercostal space at the left
midclavicular line (the apex of the heart). This location is also known as the apical
area or point of maximal impulse (PMI).
Question 5
Where is the tricuspid valve best auscultated?
,A. 2nd intercostal space, right sternal margin
B. 2nd intercostal space, left sternal border
C. Left lower sternal border
D. 5th intercostal space, left midclavicular line
Correct Answer: C — Left lower sternal border
Rationale: The tricuspid valve is best heard at the left lower sternal border. This
corresponds to the anatomic position of the tricuspid valve on the right side of the
heart, with sounds transmitted to the left lower sternal area.
Question 6
What is the apical impulse (point of maximal impulse, PMI) and where is it
assessed?
A. Palpated at the 2nd intercostal space, left sternal border
B. Palpated at the 5th intercostal space, left midclavicular line
C. Palpated at the right sternal margin
D. Palpated at the epigastric area
Correct Answer: B — Palpated at the 5th intercostal space, left midclavicular
line
Rationale: The apical impulse (PMI) is the lowest and most lateral point where the
cardiac impulse is palpable, corresponding to the apex of the left ventricle. It is
normally located at the 5th intercostal space in the left midclavicular line.
Displacement of the PMI may indicate cardiac enlargement.
Question 7
What does a thrill indicate during cardiac assessment?
A. Normal cardiac function
B. Turbulent blood flow
C. Decreased cardiac output
D. Increased blood pressure
Correct Answer: B — Turbulent blood flow
, Rationale: A thrill is a palpable vibration that feels like the throat of a purring cat.
It is caused by turbulent blood flow and directs the examiner to the location of loud
murmurs. A thrill is always an abnormal finding and indicates significant turbulent
flow, often associated with valvular heart disease.
Question 8
A nurse hears a "blowing, swooshing" sound during cardiac auscultation. What is
this most likely?
A. S1
B. S2
C. A murmur
D. Pericardial friction rub
Correct Answer: C — A murmur
Rationale: A murmur is a blowing or swooshing sound that occurs with turbulent
blood flow in the heart. Murmurs can be systolic, diastolic, or continuous and are
characterized by timing, location, radiation, intensity, pitch, and quality.
Question 9
Which heart sound is considered a "ventricular gallop" and is often an early sign of
heart failure in older adults?
A. S1
B. S2
C. S3
D. S4
Correct Answer: C — S3
Rationale: An S3 heart sound is a low-pitched diastolic sound that occurs early in
diastole during rapid ventricular filling. It is considered a "ventricular gallop" and
can be an early sign of heart failure, especially in older adults. In younger
individuals, an S3 can be a normal finding (physiologic S3).
