Grand Canyon University
3 MAXE · 613-GSN
★ ★
GCU College of Nursing & Health Care Professions
NSG 316
FIND YOUR PURPOSE
GCU NSG-316 Exam 3 — Cardiovascular & Respiratory
Complete Q&A Review
C A R D I AC A SS E SS M E N T, R E S P I RATO RY A SS E SS M E N T, P E R I P H E RA L VA S CU L A R &
PAT H O LO G Y
INSTITUTION Grand Canyon University COURSE CODE NSG-316
PROGRAM Bachelor of Science in Nursing ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE GCU NSG-316 Exam 3 — TOTAL QUESTIONS 100 Questions
Cardiovascular & Respiratory
Complete Q&A Review
COURSE TITLE Health Assessment & Nursing FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Fundamentals Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question.
▸ Topics include cardiac assessment, respiratory assessment, peripheral vascular assessment, and related
pathology.
▸ Correct answers and rationales appear below each question for review purposes.
▸ All content aligns with GCU NSG-316 Exam 3 curriculum competencies.
, SECTION I — CARDIOVASCULAR, RESPIRATORY &
Questions 1 – 100
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR ASSESSMENT
1. What is the recommended patient position for assessing neck vessels?
A. Supine, flat on back
B. The patient can sit or lie at a 30-45° angle
C. Left lateral decubitus position
D. Prone position
CORRECT ANSWER B — The patient can sit or lie at a 30-45° angle
RATIONALE For assessing neck vessels, the patient can sit or lie at a 30-45° angle. This
position allows for proper visualization of jugular venous pulsations and accurate
assessment of central venous pressure.
2. How should a patient be positioned for heart sounds and precordium assessment?
A. Sitting upright only
B. Supine, left lateral, or sitting upright leaning forward
C. Prone position only
D. Trendelenburg position
CORRECT ANSWER B — Supine, left lateral, or sitting upright leaning forward
RATIONALE For heart sounds and precordium assessment, the patient should be positioned
in supine, left lateral, or sitting upright leaning forward. These positions enhance
the ability to hear different heart sounds and murmurs.
,3. What tools are essential for cardiovascular and peripheral vascular assessment?
A. Stethoscope only
B. Stethoscope (diaphragm & bell), ruler, alcohol wipes
C. Blood pressure cuff only
D. Doppler ultrasound only
CORRECT ANSWER B — Stethoscope (diaphragm & bell), ruler, alcohol wipes
RATIONALE Essential tools for cardiovascular and peripheral vascular assessment include a
stethoscope with both diaphragm and bell, a ruler for measuring edema and
jugular venous distension, and alcohol wipes for cleaning equipment between
patients.
4. Why is it important to palpate one carotid at a time?
A. To ensure there is adequate blood flow to the brain
B. To assess for symmetry
C. To prevent patient discomfort
D. To assess for bruits
CORRECT ANSWER A — To ensure there is adequate blood flow to the brain
RATIONALE It is important to palpate one carotid artery at a time to ensure there is adequate
blood flow to the brain. Palpating both carotids simultaneously can reduce
cerebral blood flow and cause syncope or stroke in patients with carotid stenosis.
5. What is the normal amplitude for carotid artery palpation?
A. 1+
B. 2+
C. 3+
D. 0
CORRECT ANSWER B — 2+
RATIONALE 2+ is considered normal amplitude for carotid artery palpation. The carotid pulse
should be strong and easily palpable, with a smooth, rapid upstroke.
, 6. What are the three places to assess for carotid artery during auscultation?
A. Angle of jaw, mid-cervical, base of neck
B. Angle of jaw, supraclavicular, subclavian
C. Mid-cervical, base of neck, clavicular
D. Angle of jaw, mid-sternal, base of neck
CORRECT ANSWER A — Angle of jaw, mid-cervical, base of neck
RATIONALE The three places to assess for carotid artery during auscultation are the angle of
the jaw, mid-cervical region, and base of the neck. Auscultating at these three
points helps identify bruits that may indicate carotid stenosis.
7. What does a bruit indicate during carotid auscultation?
A. Normal blood flow
B. Turbulent blood flow, possibly due to carotid stenosis
C. Increased cardiac output
D. Decreased blood pressure
CORRECT ANSWER B — Turbulent blood flow, possibly due to carotid stenosis
RATIONALE A bruit during carotid auscultation indicates turbulent blood flow, possibly due to
carotid stenosis. The presence of a bruit suggests narrowing of the carotid artery
and requires further evaluation.
8. What does elevated jugular venous distension (JVD) suggest?
A. Left-sided heart failure
B. Right-sided heart failure
C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Myocardial infarction
CORRECT ANSWER B — Right-sided heart failure
RATIONALE Elevated jugular venous distension (JVD) suggests right-sided heart failure. It
indicates increased central venous pressure and impaired right ventricular
function.
3 MAXE · 613-GSN
★ ★
GCU College of Nursing & Health Care Professions
NSG 316
FIND YOUR PURPOSE
GCU NSG-316 Exam 3 — Cardiovascular & Respiratory
Complete Q&A Review
C A R D I AC A SS E SS M E N T, R E S P I RATO RY A SS E SS M E N T, P E R I P H E RA L VA S CU L A R &
PAT H O LO G Y
INSTITUTION Grand Canyon University COURSE CODE NSG-316
PROGRAM Bachelor of Science in Nursing ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE GCU NSG-316 Exam 3 — TOTAL QUESTIONS 100 Questions
Cardiovascular & Respiratory
Complete Q&A Review
COURSE TITLE Health Assessment & Nursing FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Fundamentals Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question.
▸ Topics include cardiac assessment, respiratory assessment, peripheral vascular assessment, and related
pathology.
▸ Correct answers and rationales appear below each question for review purposes.
▸ All content aligns with GCU NSG-316 Exam 3 curriculum competencies.
, SECTION I — CARDIOVASCULAR, RESPIRATORY &
Questions 1 – 100
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR ASSESSMENT
1. What is the recommended patient position for assessing neck vessels?
A. Supine, flat on back
B. The patient can sit or lie at a 30-45° angle
C. Left lateral decubitus position
D. Prone position
CORRECT ANSWER B — The patient can sit or lie at a 30-45° angle
RATIONALE For assessing neck vessels, the patient can sit or lie at a 30-45° angle. This
position allows for proper visualization of jugular venous pulsations and accurate
assessment of central venous pressure.
2. How should a patient be positioned for heart sounds and precordium assessment?
A. Sitting upright only
B. Supine, left lateral, or sitting upright leaning forward
C. Prone position only
D. Trendelenburg position
CORRECT ANSWER B — Supine, left lateral, or sitting upright leaning forward
RATIONALE For heart sounds and precordium assessment, the patient should be positioned
in supine, left lateral, or sitting upright leaning forward. These positions enhance
the ability to hear different heart sounds and murmurs.
,3. What tools are essential for cardiovascular and peripheral vascular assessment?
A. Stethoscope only
B. Stethoscope (diaphragm & bell), ruler, alcohol wipes
C. Blood pressure cuff only
D. Doppler ultrasound only
CORRECT ANSWER B — Stethoscope (diaphragm & bell), ruler, alcohol wipes
RATIONALE Essential tools for cardiovascular and peripheral vascular assessment include a
stethoscope with both diaphragm and bell, a ruler for measuring edema and
jugular venous distension, and alcohol wipes for cleaning equipment between
patients.
4. Why is it important to palpate one carotid at a time?
A. To ensure there is adequate blood flow to the brain
B. To assess for symmetry
C. To prevent patient discomfort
D. To assess for bruits
CORRECT ANSWER A — To ensure there is adequate blood flow to the brain
RATIONALE It is important to palpate one carotid artery at a time to ensure there is adequate
blood flow to the brain. Palpating both carotids simultaneously can reduce
cerebral blood flow and cause syncope or stroke in patients with carotid stenosis.
5. What is the normal amplitude for carotid artery palpation?
A. 1+
B. 2+
C. 3+
D. 0
CORRECT ANSWER B — 2+
RATIONALE 2+ is considered normal amplitude for carotid artery palpation. The carotid pulse
should be strong and easily palpable, with a smooth, rapid upstroke.
, 6. What are the three places to assess for carotid artery during auscultation?
A. Angle of jaw, mid-cervical, base of neck
B. Angle of jaw, supraclavicular, subclavian
C. Mid-cervical, base of neck, clavicular
D. Angle of jaw, mid-sternal, base of neck
CORRECT ANSWER A — Angle of jaw, mid-cervical, base of neck
RATIONALE The three places to assess for carotid artery during auscultation are the angle of
the jaw, mid-cervical region, and base of the neck. Auscultating at these three
points helps identify bruits that may indicate carotid stenosis.
7. What does a bruit indicate during carotid auscultation?
A. Normal blood flow
B. Turbulent blood flow, possibly due to carotid stenosis
C. Increased cardiac output
D. Decreased blood pressure
CORRECT ANSWER B — Turbulent blood flow, possibly due to carotid stenosis
RATIONALE A bruit during carotid auscultation indicates turbulent blood flow, possibly due to
carotid stenosis. The presence of a bruit suggests narrowing of the carotid artery
and requires further evaluation.
8. What does elevated jugular venous distension (JVD) suggest?
A. Left-sided heart failure
B. Right-sided heart failure
C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Myocardial infarction
CORRECT ANSWER B — Right-sided heart failure
RATIONALE Elevated jugular venous distension (JVD) suggests right-sided heart failure. It
indicates increased central venous pressure and impaired right ventricular
function.
