Grand Canyon University
3 MAXE · 613-GSN
★ ★
GCU College of Nursing & Health Care Professions
EST. 1949
F I N D YO U R P U R P O S E
NSG-316 Exam 3
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 TOTAL QUESTIONS 165 Questions
COURSE TITLE Health Assessment FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question unless otherwise instructed.
▸ Cardiovascular assessment, respiratory assessment, heart sounds, breath sounds, and vascular
assessment are all testable content.
▸ Key terms and definitions from the course are emphasized throughout.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question for board review purposes.
▸ All content reflects current nursing education standards.
, SECTION I — COMPREHENSIVE CARDIOVASCULAR &
Questions 1 – 165
RESPIRATORY ASSESSMENT
1. What does the first heart sound (S1) indicate?
A. Closure of the AV valves (beginning of systole)
B. Closure of the semilunar valves (end of systole)
C. Ventricular gallop, occurs with heart failure
D. Atrial gallop, occurs with coronary artery disease
CORRECT ANSWER A — Closure of the AV valves (beginning of systole)
RATIONALE The first heart sound (S1) is caused by the closure of the atrioventricular (AV)
valves—the mitral and tricuspid valves—at the beginning of ventricular systole.
This produces the "lub" sound of the classic "lub-dub" heart sounds.
2. What does the second heart sound (S2) indicate?
A. Closure of the semilunar valves (end of systole)
B. Closure of the AV valves (beginning of systole)
C. Ventricular gallop, occurs with heart failure
D. Atrial gallop, occurs with coronary artery disease
CORRECT ANSWER A — Closure of the semilunar valves (end of systole)
RATIONALE The second heart sound (S2) is caused by the closure of the semilunar valves—the
aortic and pulmonic valves—at the end of ventricular systole, marking the
beginning of diastole. This produces the "dub" sound.
,3. What is the difference between angina pectoris and Prinzmetal/variant angina?
A. Angina pectoris occurs after activity, while variant angina often occurs at rest and is
unrelated to stress
B. Angina pectoris occurs at rest, while variant angina occurs after activity
C. Both occur after activity
D. Both occur at rest
CORRECT ANSWER A — Angina pectoris occurs after activity, while variant angina often occurs
at rest and is unrelated to stress
RATIONALE Angina pectoris (stable angina) typically occurs with physical exertion or
emotional stress and is relieved by rest. Prinzmetal/variant angina is caused by
coronary artery spasm and often occurs at rest, unrelated to stress, and may
occur at the same time each day.
4. What does the P wave indicate?
A. Atrial depolarization
B. Ventricular depolarization
C. Ventricular repolarization
D. Atrial repolarization
CORRECT ANSWER A — Atrial depolarization
RATIONALE The P wave on an ECG represents atrial depolarization, which is the electrical
activation of the atria leading to atrial contraction. This is the first wave seen on a
normal ECG tracing.
, 5. What is rhonchal fremitus?
A. Palpable with thick bronchial secretions
B. Palpable with inflammation of the pleura
C. Coarse, crackling sensation over the skin surface
D. A low-pitched booming sound found when too much air is present
CORRECT ANSWER A — Palpable with thick bronchial secretions
RATIONALE Rhonchal fremitus is a palpable vibration felt on the chest wall that is associated
with thick bronchial secretions. It is felt when the patient speaks and indicates
the presence of secretions in the larger airways.
6. What does the Wells score test for?
A. Deep vein thrombosis in the legs
B. Peripheral arterial disease
C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Heart failure
CORRECT ANSWER A — Deep vein thrombosis in the legs
RATIONALE The Wells score is a clinical prediction rule used to assess the probability of deep
vein thrombosis (DVT) in the legs. Scores are categorized as: 0 or less = low
probability, 1-2 = moderate probability, and 3 or higher = high probability of DVT.
7. What does the second heart sound indicate?
A. Closure of the semilunar valves (end of systole)
B. Closure of the AV valves (beginning of systole)
C. Ventricular gallop, occurs with heart failure
D. Atrial gallop, occurs with coronary artery disease
CORRECT ANSWER A — Closure of the semilunar valves (end of systole)
RATIONALE S2 is caused by closure of the semilunar valves at the end of systole, producing
the "dub" sound.
3 MAXE · 613-GSN
★ ★
GCU College of Nursing & Health Care Professions
EST. 1949
F I N D YO U R P U R P O S E
NSG-316 Exam 3
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 TOTAL QUESTIONS 165 Questions
COURSE TITLE Health Assessment FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question unless otherwise instructed.
▸ Cardiovascular assessment, respiratory assessment, heart sounds, breath sounds, and vascular
assessment are all testable content.
▸ Key terms and definitions from the course are emphasized throughout.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question for board review purposes.
▸ All content reflects current nursing education standards.
, SECTION I — COMPREHENSIVE CARDIOVASCULAR &
Questions 1 – 165
RESPIRATORY ASSESSMENT
1. What does the first heart sound (S1) indicate?
A. Closure of the AV valves (beginning of systole)
B. Closure of the semilunar valves (end of systole)
C. Ventricular gallop, occurs with heart failure
D. Atrial gallop, occurs with coronary artery disease
CORRECT ANSWER A — Closure of the AV valves (beginning of systole)
RATIONALE The first heart sound (S1) is caused by the closure of the atrioventricular (AV)
valves—the mitral and tricuspid valves—at the beginning of ventricular systole.
This produces the "lub" sound of the classic "lub-dub" heart sounds.
2. What does the second heart sound (S2) indicate?
A. Closure of the semilunar valves (end of systole)
B. Closure of the AV valves (beginning of systole)
C. Ventricular gallop, occurs with heart failure
D. Atrial gallop, occurs with coronary artery disease
CORRECT ANSWER A — Closure of the semilunar valves (end of systole)
RATIONALE The second heart sound (S2) is caused by the closure of the semilunar valves—the
aortic and pulmonic valves—at the end of ventricular systole, marking the
beginning of diastole. This produces the "dub" sound.
,3. What is the difference between angina pectoris and Prinzmetal/variant angina?
A. Angina pectoris occurs after activity, while variant angina often occurs at rest and is
unrelated to stress
B. Angina pectoris occurs at rest, while variant angina occurs after activity
C. Both occur after activity
D. Both occur at rest
CORRECT ANSWER A — Angina pectoris occurs after activity, while variant angina often occurs
at rest and is unrelated to stress
RATIONALE Angina pectoris (stable angina) typically occurs with physical exertion or
emotional stress and is relieved by rest. Prinzmetal/variant angina is caused by
coronary artery spasm and often occurs at rest, unrelated to stress, and may
occur at the same time each day.
4. What does the P wave indicate?
A. Atrial depolarization
B. Ventricular depolarization
C. Ventricular repolarization
D. Atrial repolarization
CORRECT ANSWER A — Atrial depolarization
RATIONALE The P wave on an ECG represents atrial depolarization, which is the electrical
activation of the atria leading to atrial contraction. This is the first wave seen on a
normal ECG tracing.
, 5. What is rhonchal fremitus?
A. Palpable with thick bronchial secretions
B. Palpable with inflammation of the pleura
C. Coarse, crackling sensation over the skin surface
D. A low-pitched booming sound found when too much air is present
CORRECT ANSWER A — Palpable with thick bronchial secretions
RATIONALE Rhonchal fremitus is a palpable vibration felt on the chest wall that is associated
with thick bronchial secretions. It is felt when the patient speaks and indicates
the presence of secretions in the larger airways.
6. What does the Wells score test for?
A. Deep vein thrombosis in the legs
B. Peripheral arterial disease
C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Heart failure
CORRECT ANSWER A — Deep vein thrombosis in the legs
RATIONALE The Wells score is a clinical prediction rule used to assess the probability of deep
vein thrombosis (DVT) in the legs. Scores are categorized as: 0 or less = low
probability, 1-2 = moderate probability, and 3 or higher = high probability of DVT.
7. What does the second heart sound indicate?
A. Closure of the semilunar valves (end of systole)
B. Closure of the AV valves (beginning of systole)
C. Ventricular gallop, occurs with heart failure
D. Atrial gallop, occurs with coronary artery disease
CORRECT ANSWER A — Closure of the semilunar valves (end of systole)
RATIONALE S2 is caused by closure of the semilunar valves at the end of systole, producing
the "dub" sound.
