GCU NSG 316 EXAM 2 – HEALTH
ASSESSMENT COMPREHENSIVE
REVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. During a physical examination, the nurse notes a patient has a ‘barrel chest.’ Which of the
following conditions is most likely associated with this finding?
A. Acute lobar pneumonia
B. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
C. Congestive heart failure
D. Tension pneumothorax
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A barrel chest results from hyperinflation of the lungs, typically
seen in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases like emphysema.
2. When auscultating the heart, the nurse hears a high-pitched, scratchy sound at the left
lower sternal border that is best heard when the patient is leaning forward. This sound is
characteristic of:
A. Pericardial friction rub
B. Aortic stenosis
,C. Mitral valve prolapse
D. Atrial fibrillation
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A pericardial friction rub is a high-pitched, scratchy, or squeaky
sound heard during both systole and diastole, often best heard with the patient leaning
forward.
3. The nurse is performing a respiratory assessment and hears low-pitched, snoring, or
moaning sounds that clear with coughing. How should the nurse document this finding?
A. Fine crackles
B. Sonorous wheezes (Rhonchi)
C. Sibilant wheezes
D. Pleural friction rub
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Rhonchi are low-pitched, continuous sounds caused by
secretions or obstruction in the larger airways and often clear after coughing.
4. Which assessment technique should the nurse perform first when examining the
abdomen?
A. Inspection
B. Auscultation
, C. Percussion
D. Palpation
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The correct order for abdominal assessment is Inspection,
Auscultation, Percussion, and then Palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds.
5. When palpating the apical pulse, where should the nurse ideally place their hand?
A. Second intercostal space, right sternal border
B. Second intercostal space, left sternal border
C. Fourth intercostal space, left sternal border
D. Fifth intercostal space, left midclavicular line
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The apical pulse (Point of Maximal Impulse) is located at the 5th
intercostal space at the left midclavicular line.
6. A nurse identifies a ‘swishing’ sound during auscultation of the carotid artery. This is
known as a:
A. Murmur
B. Thrill
C. Gallop
ASSESSMENT COMPREHENSIVE
REVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. During a physical examination, the nurse notes a patient has a ‘barrel chest.’ Which of the
following conditions is most likely associated with this finding?
A. Acute lobar pneumonia
B. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
C. Congestive heart failure
D. Tension pneumothorax
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A barrel chest results from hyperinflation of the lungs, typically
seen in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases like emphysema.
2. When auscultating the heart, the nurse hears a high-pitched, scratchy sound at the left
lower sternal border that is best heard when the patient is leaning forward. This sound is
characteristic of:
A. Pericardial friction rub
B. Aortic stenosis
,C. Mitral valve prolapse
D. Atrial fibrillation
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A pericardial friction rub is a high-pitched, scratchy, or squeaky
sound heard during both systole and diastole, often best heard with the patient leaning
forward.
3. The nurse is performing a respiratory assessment and hears low-pitched, snoring, or
moaning sounds that clear with coughing. How should the nurse document this finding?
A. Fine crackles
B. Sonorous wheezes (Rhonchi)
C. Sibilant wheezes
D. Pleural friction rub
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Rhonchi are low-pitched, continuous sounds caused by
secretions or obstruction in the larger airways and often clear after coughing.
4. Which assessment technique should the nurse perform first when examining the
abdomen?
A. Inspection
B. Auscultation
, C. Percussion
D. Palpation
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The correct order for abdominal assessment is Inspection,
Auscultation, Percussion, and then Palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds.
5. When palpating the apical pulse, where should the nurse ideally place their hand?
A. Second intercostal space, right sternal border
B. Second intercostal space, left sternal border
C. Fourth intercostal space, left sternal border
D. Fifth intercostal space, left midclavicular line
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The apical pulse (Point of Maximal Impulse) is located at the 5th
intercostal space at the left midclavicular line.
6. A nurse identifies a ‘swishing’ sound during auscultation of the carotid artery. This is
known as a:
A. Murmur
B. Thrill
C. Gallop
