Grand Canyon University
3 MAXE · 613 GSN
College of Nursing
GCU
EST. 1949
FIND YOUR PURPOSE
NSG-316 Exam 3 — Grand Canyon University
C A R D I OVA S CU L A R & R E S P I RATO RY A SS E SS M E N T
INSTITUTION Grand Canyon University COURSE CODE NSG-316
PROGRAM Bachelor of Science in Nursing ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE NSG-316 Exam 3 — Grand Canyon TOTAL QUESTIONS 86 Questions
University
COURSE TITLE Health Assessment Across the FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Lifespan Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question unless otherwise instructed.
▸ Cardiovascular and respiratory anatomy, heart sounds, murmurs, and assessment techniques are all
testable content.
▸ Peripheral vascular assessment and age-related changes are emphasized.
▸ Correct answers and rationales appear below each question for review purposes.
▸ All content reflects the NSG-316 Health Assessment curriculum.
, SECTION I — CARDIOVASCULAR & RESPIRATORY
Questions 1 – 86
ASSESSMENT
1. What is the myocardium?
A. Heart muscle that surrounds ventricles and atrium
B. External layer that protects the heart
C. 3-layered membrane that lines heart chambers
D. The inner lining of the heart
CORRECT ANSWER A — Heart muscle that surrounds ventricles and atrium
RATIONALE The myocardium is the heart muscle that surrounds the ventricles and atria. It is
the thickest layer of the heart wall and is responsible for the contractile function
of the heart.
2. What is the pericardium?
A. External layer that protects the heart from injury/infection
B. Heart muscle that surrounds ventricles and atrium
C. 3-layered membrane that lines heart chambers
D. The inner lining of the heart
CORRECT ANSWER A — External layer that protects the heart from injury/infection
RATIONALE The pericardium is the external layer that surrounds and protects the heart from
injury and infection. It consists of two layers with a small amount of fluid between
them to reduce friction during heart contractions.
,3. What is the endocardium?
A. 3-layered membrane that lines heart chambers
B. Heart muscle that surrounds ventricles and atrium
C. External layer that protects the heart
D. The outer covering of the heart
CORRECT ANSWER A — 3-layered membrane that lines heart chambers
RATIONALE The endocardium is a 3-layered membrane that lines the heart chambers and
covers the heart valves. It is the innermost layer of the heart wall and provides a
smooth surface for blood flow.
4. Blockage of coronary arteries can lead to:
A. Heart attack or stroke
B. Heart failure only
C. Cardiomegaly only
D. Pulmonary edema only
CORRECT ANSWER A — Heart attack or stroke
RATIONALE Blockage of coronary arteries can lead to heart attack (myocardial infarction) or
stroke. Coronary artery disease is a leading cause of cardiovascular events.
5. What is heart failure?
A. Increased pressure of cardiac overload causing pulmonary congestion
B. Blockage of coronary arteries
C. Abnormal enlargement of the heart
D. Inflammation of the heart muscle
CORRECT ANSWER A — Increased pressure of cardiac overload causing pulmonary congestion
RATIONALE Heart failure results from increased pressure of cardiac overload, leading to
pulmonary congestion. In left-sided heart failure, blood backs up into the lungs
causing dyspnea and pulmonary edema.
, 6. What is left-sided heart failure characterized by?
A. Dyspnea/SOB, pulmonary edema
B. Blood back up in the periphery with edema
C. Pulmonary congestion only
D. Peripheral edema only
CORRECT ANSWER A — Dyspnea/SOB, pulmonary edema
RATIONALE Left-sided heart failure is characterized by dyspnea/shortness of breath and
pulmonary edema due to blood backing up into the pulmonary circulation.
7. What is right-sided heart failure characterized by?
A. Blood back up in the periphery with edema
B. Dyspnea/SOB and pulmonary edema
C. Pulmonary congestion only
D. Cardiomegaly only
CORRECT ANSWER A — Blood back up in the periphery with edema
RATIONALE Right-sided heart failure is characterized by blood backing up in the periphery,
presenting with edema in the lower extremities and other dependent areas.
8. What is cardiomegaly?
A. Abnormal enlargement of the heart due to over working to compensate for decreased
function
B. Inflammation of the heart muscle
C. Blockage of coronary arteries
D. Heart muscle thinning
CORRECT ANSWER A — Abnormal enlargement of the heart due to over working to compensate
for decreased function
RATIONALE Cardiomegaly is abnormal enlargement of the heart that occurs when the heart
overworks to compensate for decreased function. It can be caused by
hypertension, heart failure, or valvular disease.
3 MAXE · 613 GSN
College of Nursing
GCU
EST. 1949
FIND YOUR PURPOSE
NSG-316 Exam 3 — Grand Canyon University
C A R D I OVA S CU L A R & R E S P I RATO RY A SS E SS M E N T
INSTITUTION Grand Canyon University COURSE CODE NSG-316
PROGRAM Bachelor of Science in Nursing ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE NSG-316 Exam 3 — Grand Canyon TOTAL QUESTIONS 86 Questions
University
COURSE TITLE Health Assessment Across the FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Lifespan Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question unless otherwise instructed.
▸ Cardiovascular and respiratory anatomy, heart sounds, murmurs, and assessment techniques are all
testable content.
▸ Peripheral vascular assessment and age-related changes are emphasized.
▸ Correct answers and rationales appear below each question for review purposes.
▸ All content reflects the NSG-316 Health Assessment curriculum.
, SECTION I — CARDIOVASCULAR & RESPIRATORY
Questions 1 – 86
ASSESSMENT
1. What is the myocardium?
A. Heart muscle that surrounds ventricles and atrium
B. External layer that protects the heart
C. 3-layered membrane that lines heart chambers
D. The inner lining of the heart
CORRECT ANSWER A — Heart muscle that surrounds ventricles and atrium
RATIONALE The myocardium is the heart muscle that surrounds the ventricles and atria. It is
the thickest layer of the heart wall and is responsible for the contractile function
of the heart.
2. What is the pericardium?
A. External layer that protects the heart from injury/infection
B. Heart muscle that surrounds ventricles and atrium
C. 3-layered membrane that lines heart chambers
D. The inner lining of the heart
CORRECT ANSWER A — External layer that protects the heart from injury/infection
RATIONALE The pericardium is the external layer that surrounds and protects the heart from
injury and infection. It consists of two layers with a small amount of fluid between
them to reduce friction during heart contractions.
,3. What is the endocardium?
A. 3-layered membrane that lines heart chambers
B. Heart muscle that surrounds ventricles and atrium
C. External layer that protects the heart
D. The outer covering of the heart
CORRECT ANSWER A — 3-layered membrane that lines heart chambers
RATIONALE The endocardium is a 3-layered membrane that lines the heart chambers and
covers the heart valves. It is the innermost layer of the heart wall and provides a
smooth surface for blood flow.
4. Blockage of coronary arteries can lead to:
A. Heart attack or stroke
B. Heart failure only
C. Cardiomegaly only
D. Pulmonary edema only
CORRECT ANSWER A — Heart attack or stroke
RATIONALE Blockage of coronary arteries can lead to heart attack (myocardial infarction) or
stroke. Coronary artery disease is a leading cause of cardiovascular events.
5. What is heart failure?
A. Increased pressure of cardiac overload causing pulmonary congestion
B. Blockage of coronary arteries
C. Abnormal enlargement of the heart
D. Inflammation of the heart muscle
CORRECT ANSWER A — Increased pressure of cardiac overload causing pulmonary congestion
RATIONALE Heart failure results from increased pressure of cardiac overload, leading to
pulmonary congestion. In left-sided heart failure, blood backs up into the lungs
causing dyspnea and pulmonary edema.
, 6. What is left-sided heart failure characterized by?
A. Dyspnea/SOB, pulmonary edema
B. Blood back up in the periphery with edema
C. Pulmonary congestion only
D. Peripheral edema only
CORRECT ANSWER A — Dyspnea/SOB, pulmonary edema
RATIONALE Left-sided heart failure is characterized by dyspnea/shortness of breath and
pulmonary edema due to blood backing up into the pulmonary circulation.
7. What is right-sided heart failure characterized by?
A. Blood back up in the periphery with edema
B. Dyspnea/SOB and pulmonary edema
C. Pulmonary congestion only
D. Cardiomegaly only
CORRECT ANSWER A — Blood back up in the periphery with edema
RATIONALE Right-sided heart failure is characterized by blood backing up in the periphery,
presenting with edema in the lower extremities and other dependent areas.
8. What is cardiomegaly?
A. Abnormal enlargement of the heart due to over working to compensate for decreased
function
B. Inflammation of the heart muscle
C. Blockage of coronary arteries
D. Heart muscle thinning
CORRECT ANSWER A — Abnormal enlargement of the heart due to over working to compensate
for decreased function
RATIONALE Cardiomegaly is abnormal enlargement of the heart that occurs when the heart
overworks to compensate for decreased function. It can be caused by
hypertension, heart failure, or valvular disease.
