National University NUR 304 Module 3 (pdf) | 2026/2027 |Advanced
Health Assessment Q&A | Nursing
1. A graduate nursing student is performing an advanced assessment of the
peripheral vascular system. Which of the following is the correct order for
examining the arteries and veins of the lower extremities?
A) Inspection, palpation of pulses, auscultation for bruits, and evaluation for
edema
B) Palpation of pulses, inspection, evaluation for edema, and auscultation for
bruits
C) Auscultation for bruits, inspection, palpation of pulses, and evaluation for
edema
D) Evaluation for edema, auscultation for bruits, inspection, and palpation of
pulses
Correct Answer: Inspection, palpation of pulses, auscultation for bruits, and
evaluation for edema
Rationale: A systematic peripheral vascular examination begins with
inspection for skin changes, color, and hair distribution, followed by palpation
of pulses to assess amplitude and symmetry. Auscultation for bruits is
performed over the femoral and carotid arteries, and finally, the assessment
for edema completes the evaluation.
2. An advanced practice nurse is assessing a patient's carotid arteries. Which
technique is most appropriate to avoid vagal stimulation?
A) Palpating both carotid arteries simultaneously to compare amplitude
B) Auscultating each carotid artery for bruits using the bell of the
stethoscope
C) Palpating one carotid artery at a time gently and avoiding excessive
pressure
D) Percussing the carotid arteries to assess for tenderness
,Correct Answer: Palpating one carotid artery at a time gently and avoiding
excessive pressure
Rationale: Carotid arteries should be palpated one at a time, gently, to
prevent excessive vagal stimulation which can cause bradycardia or
syncope. Auscultation for bruits is also performed, but palpation must be
done with caution and never simultaneously.
3. A nurse practitioner is assessing the jugular venous pressure (JVP). At
which angle should the patient be positioned to obtain the most accurate
measurement?
A) 0 degrees (supine)
B) 30 degrees
C) 45 degrees
D) 90 degrees (sitting upright)
Correct Answer: 45 degrees
Rationale: The JVP is best assessed with the patient positioned at a 45-
degree angle, which allows the internal jugular vein to become visible as a
pulsation in the neck. This position provides the most accurate estimation of
right atrial pressure, as the venous column is at the correct height for
visualization.
4. A nurse is performing an Allen test before radial artery cannulation. Which
of the following describes the correct procedure for this test?
A) Compress both the radial and ulnar arteries, then release the radial artery
and observe for color return
B) Compress both the radial and ulnar arteries, then release the ulnar artery
and observe for color return
C) Compress the radial artery only and observe for color return
,D) Compress the ulnar artery only and observe for color return
Correct Answer: Compress both the radial and ulnar arteries, then release
the ulnar artery and observe for color return
Rationale: The Allen test assesses the patency of the ulnar artery as a
collateral supply to the hand. Both arteries are compressed, the hand is
blanched, and then the ulnar artery is released. If color returns to the hand
within 5-15 seconds, the ulnar artery is patent and the radial artery can be
safely cannulated.
5. An advanced practice nurse is assessing a patient's peripheral pulses and
notes a pulse that is easily palpable and described as "bounding." This pulse
should be documented on a 0-4+ scale as:
A) 1+
B) 2+
C) 3+
D) 4+
Correct Answer: 4+
Rationale: Pulse strength is graded on a 0-4+ scale: 0 = absent, 1+ =
diminished/thready, 2+ = normal, 3+ = full/increased, and 4+ = bounding. A
bounding pulse is a strong, easily palpable pulse that is consistent with a 4+
grade.
6. A nurse practitioner is auscultating the lungs and hears high-pitched,
musical sounds during both inspiration and expiration. These sounds are best
described as:
A) Crackles
B) Wheezes
, C) Rhonchi
D) Stridor
Correct Answer: Wheezes
Rationale: Wheezes are high-pitched, musical sounds heard during
inspiration and expiration, indicating narrowing or obstruction of the airways.
They are commonly heard in asthma and COPD. Crackles are discontinuous
popping sounds, rhonchi are low-pitched snoring sounds, and stridor is a
high-pitched inspiratory sound.
7. A nurse is performing a respiratory assessment and notes decreased
breath sounds at the left lung base with dullness to percussion. These
findings are most consistent with:
A) Pneumothorax
B) Pleural effusion
C) Asthma
D) Emphysema
Correct Answer: Pleural effusion
Rationale: Pleural effusion presents with decreased breath sounds and
dullness to percussion over the affected area due to fluid accumulation in the
pleural space. Pneumothorax would present with hyperresonance, asthma
with wheezing, and emphysema with hyperresonance and prolonged
expiration.
8. An advanced practice nurse is assessing a patient's chest expansion.
Which of the following is the correct technique for this assessment?
A) Place hands on the posterior chest with thumbs at the level of T9-T10 and
ask the patient to take a deep breath
Health Assessment Q&A | Nursing
1. A graduate nursing student is performing an advanced assessment of the
peripheral vascular system. Which of the following is the correct order for
examining the arteries and veins of the lower extremities?
A) Inspection, palpation of pulses, auscultation for bruits, and evaluation for
edema
B) Palpation of pulses, inspection, evaluation for edema, and auscultation for
bruits
C) Auscultation for bruits, inspection, palpation of pulses, and evaluation for
edema
D) Evaluation for edema, auscultation for bruits, inspection, and palpation of
pulses
Correct Answer: Inspection, palpation of pulses, auscultation for bruits, and
evaluation for edema
Rationale: A systematic peripheral vascular examination begins with
inspection for skin changes, color, and hair distribution, followed by palpation
of pulses to assess amplitude and symmetry. Auscultation for bruits is
performed over the femoral and carotid arteries, and finally, the assessment
for edema completes the evaluation.
2. An advanced practice nurse is assessing a patient's carotid arteries. Which
technique is most appropriate to avoid vagal stimulation?
A) Palpating both carotid arteries simultaneously to compare amplitude
B) Auscultating each carotid artery for bruits using the bell of the
stethoscope
C) Palpating one carotid artery at a time gently and avoiding excessive
pressure
D) Percussing the carotid arteries to assess for tenderness
,Correct Answer: Palpating one carotid artery at a time gently and avoiding
excessive pressure
Rationale: Carotid arteries should be palpated one at a time, gently, to
prevent excessive vagal stimulation which can cause bradycardia or
syncope. Auscultation for bruits is also performed, but palpation must be
done with caution and never simultaneously.
3. A nurse practitioner is assessing the jugular venous pressure (JVP). At
which angle should the patient be positioned to obtain the most accurate
measurement?
A) 0 degrees (supine)
B) 30 degrees
C) 45 degrees
D) 90 degrees (sitting upright)
Correct Answer: 45 degrees
Rationale: The JVP is best assessed with the patient positioned at a 45-
degree angle, which allows the internal jugular vein to become visible as a
pulsation in the neck. This position provides the most accurate estimation of
right atrial pressure, as the venous column is at the correct height for
visualization.
4. A nurse is performing an Allen test before radial artery cannulation. Which
of the following describes the correct procedure for this test?
A) Compress both the radial and ulnar arteries, then release the radial artery
and observe for color return
B) Compress both the radial and ulnar arteries, then release the ulnar artery
and observe for color return
C) Compress the radial artery only and observe for color return
,D) Compress the ulnar artery only and observe for color return
Correct Answer: Compress both the radial and ulnar arteries, then release
the ulnar artery and observe for color return
Rationale: The Allen test assesses the patency of the ulnar artery as a
collateral supply to the hand. Both arteries are compressed, the hand is
blanched, and then the ulnar artery is released. If color returns to the hand
within 5-15 seconds, the ulnar artery is patent and the radial artery can be
safely cannulated.
5. An advanced practice nurse is assessing a patient's peripheral pulses and
notes a pulse that is easily palpable and described as "bounding." This pulse
should be documented on a 0-4+ scale as:
A) 1+
B) 2+
C) 3+
D) 4+
Correct Answer: 4+
Rationale: Pulse strength is graded on a 0-4+ scale: 0 = absent, 1+ =
diminished/thready, 2+ = normal, 3+ = full/increased, and 4+ = bounding. A
bounding pulse is a strong, easily palpable pulse that is consistent with a 4+
grade.
6. A nurse practitioner is auscultating the lungs and hears high-pitched,
musical sounds during both inspiration and expiration. These sounds are best
described as:
A) Crackles
B) Wheezes
, C) Rhonchi
D) Stridor
Correct Answer: Wheezes
Rationale: Wheezes are high-pitched, musical sounds heard during
inspiration and expiration, indicating narrowing or obstruction of the airways.
They are commonly heard in asthma and COPD. Crackles are discontinuous
popping sounds, rhonchi are low-pitched snoring sounds, and stridor is a
high-pitched inspiratory sound.
7. A nurse is performing a respiratory assessment and notes decreased
breath sounds at the left lung base with dullness to percussion. These
findings are most consistent with:
A) Pneumothorax
B) Pleural effusion
C) Asthma
D) Emphysema
Correct Answer: Pleural effusion
Rationale: Pleural effusion presents with decreased breath sounds and
dullness to percussion over the affected area due to fluid accumulation in the
pleural space. Pneumothorax would present with hyperresonance, asthma
with wheezing, and emphysema with hyperresonance and prolonged
expiration.
8. An advanced practice nurse is assessing a patient's chest expansion.
Which of the following is the correct technique for this assessment?
A) Place hands on the posterior chest with thumbs at the level of T9-T10 and
ask the patient to take a deep breath
