NSG 3160 Exam 2 – Health Assessment 2026 UPDATE |Galen … 2026 Update • Verified Answers
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NSG 3160 Exam 2 – Health Assessment 2026
UPDATE |Galen College
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,NSG 3160 Exam 2 – Health Assessment 2026 UPDATE |Galen … 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. During a cardiovascular assessment, where is the S1 heart sound heard loudest?
A. At the base of the heart
B. Over the aortic area
C. At the apex of the heart
D. Over the pulmonic area
Answer: C
Rationale: The S1 heart sound, produced by the closure of the AV valves, is heard loudest at the apex of the
heart (mitral and tricuspid areas). Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate
complications, and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this
concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
2. What is the correct order for performing an abdominal assessment?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
C. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
D. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Answer: D
Rationale: The correct sequence for abdominal assessment is Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, and then
Palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from
closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical
settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
3. When auscultating the lungs of a patient with pleuritis, what sound would the nurse expect to
hear?
A. Coarse crackles
B. Pleural friction rub
C. Wheezing
D. Stridor
Answer: B
Rationale: A pleural friction rub is a superficial, low-pitched, coarse rubbing or grating sound heard in patients
with inflamed pleura. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and
provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely
related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, NSG 3160 Exam 2 – Health Assessment 2026 UPDATE |Galen … 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. Which cranial nerve is responsible for the movement of the tongue?
A. CN X (Vagus)
B. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
C. CN XI (Spinal Accessory)
D. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
Answer: B
Rationale: Cranial nerve XII, the Hypoglossal nerve, is responsible for the motor control of the tongue.
Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate
patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related
distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
5. A patient presents with a ‘barrel chest.’ This finding is characteristic of which condition?
A. Pneumonia
B. Congestive Heart Failure
C. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
D. D. Tuberculosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Barrel chest, characterized by an increased anteroposterior diameter, is often associated with
hyperinflation of the lungs in COPD. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from
closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical
settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
6. How should a nurse assess for the presence of a carotid bruit?
A. Auscultate with the bell of the stethoscope while the patient holds their breath
B. Palpate the artery vigorously
C. Auscultate with the diaphragm while the patient breathes deeply
D. Perform the Allen test
Answer: A
Rationale: A carotid bruit is assessed by using the bell of the stethoscope over the artery while the patient
holds their breath to eliminate respiratory sounds. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this
concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge
in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NSG 3160 Exam 2 – Health Assessment 2026
UPDATE |Galen College
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,NSG 3160 Exam 2 – Health Assessment 2026 UPDATE |Galen … 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. During a cardiovascular assessment, where is the S1 heart sound heard loudest?
A. At the base of the heart
B. Over the aortic area
C. At the apex of the heart
D. Over the pulmonic area
Answer: C
Rationale: The S1 heart sound, produced by the closure of the AV valves, is heard loudest at the apex of the
heart (mitral and tricuspid areas). Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate
complications, and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this
concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
2. What is the correct order for performing an abdominal assessment?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
C. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
D. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Answer: D
Rationale: The correct sequence for abdominal assessment is Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, and then
Palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from
closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical
settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
3. When auscultating the lungs of a patient with pleuritis, what sound would the nurse expect to
hear?
A. Coarse crackles
B. Pleural friction rub
C. Wheezing
D. Stridor
Answer: B
Rationale: A pleural friction rub is a superficial, low-pitched, coarse rubbing or grating sound heard in patients
with inflamed pleura. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and
provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely
related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, NSG 3160 Exam 2 – Health Assessment 2026 UPDATE |Galen … 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. Which cranial nerve is responsible for the movement of the tongue?
A. CN X (Vagus)
B. CN XII (Hypoglossal)
C. CN XI (Spinal Accessory)
D. CN IX (Glossopharyngeal)
Answer: B
Rationale: Cranial nerve XII, the Hypoglossal nerve, is responsible for the motor control of the tongue.
Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate
patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related
distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
5. A patient presents with a ‘barrel chest.’ This finding is characteristic of which condition?
A. Pneumonia
B. Congestive Heart Failure
C. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
D. D. Tuberculosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Barrel chest, characterized by an increased anteroposterior diameter, is often associated with
hyperinflation of the lungs in COPD. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from
closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical
settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
6. How should a nurse assess for the presence of a carotid bruit?
A. Auscultate with the bell of the stethoscope while the patient holds their breath
B. Palpate the artery vigorously
C. Auscultate with the diaphragm while the patient breathes deeply
D. Perform the Allen test
Answer: A
Rationale: A carotid bruit is assessed by using the bell of the stethoscope over the artery while the patient
holds their breath to eliminate respiratory sounds. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this
concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge
in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
