Barkley Cardiovascular Practice ACTUAL
EXAM ALL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
ALREADY GRADED A+. 100% VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS | UPDATED PER LATEST
GUIDELINES | GRADED A+
Section 1: Assessment & Diagnostic Findings (Questions 1-20)
Question 1
A patient with suspected mitral regurgitation presents for evaluation. What physical finding
confirms mitral regurgitation?
A. Loud S1 systolic murmur
B. S3 with systolic murmur
C. Harsh systolic murmur radiating to the neck
D. Low diastolic rumble murmur in the left lateral position
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mitral regurgitation is confirmed by a systolic murmur at the apex that radiates to
the axilla, often accompanied by an S3 gallop due to volume overload of the left ventricle .
Question 2
A patient with suspected mitral stenosis presents for evaluation. What physical finding is most
consistent with this diagnosis?
A. S3 with systolic murmur
B. Loud S1 and opening snap with diastolic rumble
C. Harsh systolic murmur radiating to the neck
D. Systolic ejection murmur
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Mitral stenosis is characterized by a low-pitched diastolic rumble heard at the apex
with the patient in the left lateral position. An opening snap and loud S1 are also classic
findings .
Question 3
With regard to S3 and S4 heart sounds, which statement is true?
A. An S4 is a ventricular gallop that sounds like "Kentucky."
B. An S3 is an atrial gallop that sounds like "Tennessee."
C. An S3 is a ventricular gallop that sounds like "Kentucky."
D. An S3 is a normal finding in all adults.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An S3 heart sound is a ventricular gallop that matches the cadence of the word
"Kentucky" and typically presents as a result of increased fluid states. An S4 is an atrial gallop
that matches the cadence of "Tennessee" and is associated with a stiff ventricular wall .
Question 4
On auscultation of the chest, a split S2 is best heard at:
A. 2nd ICS, right sternal border
B. 2nd ICS, left sternal border
C. 5th ICS, midclavicular line
D. 4th ICS, left sternal border
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The S2 sound represents the closing of the semilunar valves (aortic and pulmonic)
and is best heard at the base of the heart, specifically the 2nd intercostal space at the right
sternal border .
Question 5
Which of the following is not a common finding of acute left-sided heart failure?
A. Coarse rales in all lung fields
B. Hepatomegaly
C. Wheezing, frothy cough
D. An S3 gallop sound
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Hepatomegaly is common in chronic right-sided heart failure but is much less
common in acute, left-sided heart failure. Coarse rales over all lung fields, a wheezing, frothy
cough, and an S3 gallop are all common findings of acute left-sided heart failure .
Question 6
Which ECG finding is most suggestive of pericarditis?
A. ST elevation in V1-V4
B. Diffuse ST elevation and PR depression
C. ST depression in leads II, III, aVF
D. T-wave inversion in V5-V6
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pericarditis classically shows diffuse ST elevation and PR depression across multiple
leads, rather than localized changes like an MI .
Question 7
Classic sign of cardiac tamponade is:
A. Bounding pulse
B. Wide pulse pressure
C. Beck's triad
D. Loud S1
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Beck's Triad (hypotension, jugular venous distention, and muffled heart sounds) is a
classic sign of cardiac tamponade .
Question 8
Which ECG change suggests hyperkalemia?
A. Prolonged QT
B. Peaked T waves
C. ST depression
D. U waves
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Peaked T waves are a classic ECG finding in hyperkalemia. U waves are associated
with hypokalemia .
Question 9
The primary benefit of measuring B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) in a patient with dyspnea is:
A. Monitoring renal function
B. Guiding fluid management in heart failure
C. Differentiating dyspnea due to heart failure vs. COPD
D. Diagnosing acute coronary syndrome
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: BNP helps distinguish cardiac from pulmonary causes of dyspnea. Elevated BNP
suggests heart failure, whereas a normal BNP suggests a non-cardiac etiology .
Question 10
In which condition would dependent rubor most likely be present?
A. Chronic venous insufficiency
B. Superficial thrombophlebitis
C. Deep vein thrombosis
D. Peripheral vascular disease
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Dependent rubor, a dusky, red tint to the foot when placed on the floor, is a finding
associated with peripheral vascular disease .
Question 11
A patient presents with sudden pain in the lower leg, erythema, and warmth but no swelling.
Your colleague suggests bed rest for a week. Which measure is NOT a correct form of
treatment?
A. Elevating the leg
B. Applying warm compresses
C. Prescribing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
D. Ordering bed rest
Correct Answer: D
EXAM ALL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
ALREADY GRADED A+. 100% VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS | UPDATED PER LATEST
GUIDELINES | GRADED A+
Section 1: Assessment & Diagnostic Findings (Questions 1-20)
Question 1
A patient with suspected mitral regurgitation presents for evaluation. What physical finding
confirms mitral regurgitation?
A. Loud S1 systolic murmur
B. S3 with systolic murmur
C. Harsh systolic murmur radiating to the neck
D. Low diastolic rumble murmur in the left lateral position
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mitral regurgitation is confirmed by a systolic murmur at the apex that radiates to
the axilla, often accompanied by an S3 gallop due to volume overload of the left ventricle .
Question 2
A patient with suspected mitral stenosis presents for evaluation. What physical finding is most
consistent with this diagnosis?
A. S3 with systolic murmur
B. Loud S1 and opening snap with diastolic rumble
C. Harsh systolic murmur radiating to the neck
D. Systolic ejection murmur
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Mitral stenosis is characterized by a low-pitched diastolic rumble heard at the apex
with the patient in the left lateral position. An opening snap and loud S1 are also classic
findings .
Question 3
With regard to S3 and S4 heart sounds, which statement is true?
A. An S4 is a ventricular gallop that sounds like "Kentucky."
B. An S3 is an atrial gallop that sounds like "Tennessee."
C. An S3 is a ventricular gallop that sounds like "Kentucky."
D. An S3 is a normal finding in all adults.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An S3 heart sound is a ventricular gallop that matches the cadence of the word
"Kentucky" and typically presents as a result of increased fluid states. An S4 is an atrial gallop
that matches the cadence of "Tennessee" and is associated with a stiff ventricular wall .
Question 4
On auscultation of the chest, a split S2 is best heard at:
A. 2nd ICS, right sternal border
B. 2nd ICS, left sternal border
C. 5th ICS, midclavicular line
D. 4th ICS, left sternal border
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The S2 sound represents the closing of the semilunar valves (aortic and pulmonic)
and is best heard at the base of the heart, specifically the 2nd intercostal space at the right
sternal border .
Question 5
Which of the following is not a common finding of acute left-sided heart failure?
A. Coarse rales in all lung fields
B. Hepatomegaly
C. Wheezing, frothy cough
D. An S3 gallop sound
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Hepatomegaly is common in chronic right-sided heart failure but is much less
common in acute, left-sided heart failure. Coarse rales over all lung fields, a wheezing, frothy
cough, and an S3 gallop are all common findings of acute left-sided heart failure .
Question 6
Which ECG finding is most suggestive of pericarditis?
A. ST elevation in V1-V4
B. Diffuse ST elevation and PR depression
C. ST depression in leads II, III, aVF
D. T-wave inversion in V5-V6
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pericarditis classically shows diffuse ST elevation and PR depression across multiple
leads, rather than localized changes like an MI .
Question 7
Classic sign of cardiac tamponade is:
A. Bounding pulse
B. Wide pulse pressure
C. Beck's triad
D. Loud S1
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Beck's Triad (hypotension, jugular venous distention, and muffled heart sounds) is a
classic sign of cardiac tamponade .
Question 8
Which ECG change suggests hyperkalemia?
A. Prolonged QT
B. Peaked T waves
C. ST depression
D. U waves
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Peaked T waves are a classic ECG finding in hyperkalemia. U waves are associated
with hypokalemia .
Question 9
The primary benefit of measuring B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) in a patient with dyspnea is:
A. Monitoring renal function
B. Guiding fluid management in heart failure
C. Differentiating dyspnea due to heart failure vs. COPD
D. Diagnosing acute coronary syndrome
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: BNP helps distinguish cardiac from pulmonary causes of dyspnea. Elevated BNP
suggests heart failure, whereas a normal BNP suggests a non-cardiac etiology .
Question 10
In which condition would dependent rubor most likely be present?
A. Chronic venous insufficiency
B. Superficial thrombophlebitis
C. Deep vein thrombosis
D. Peripheral vascular disease
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Dependent rubor, a dusky, red tint to the foot when placed on the floor, is a finding
associated with peripheral vascular disease .
Question 11
A patient presents with sudden pain in the lower leg, erythema, and warmth but no swelling.
Your colleague suggests bed rest for a week. Which measure is NOT a correct form of
treatment?
A. Elevating the leg
B. Applying warm compresses
C. Prescribing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
D. Ordering bed rest
Correct Answer: D
