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Week 4 Health Assessment Practice Exam (Original)
EXAM | Latest Update | Original Questions & Answers
with Detailed Rationales | Graded A+
Exam Focus: Cardiovascular, respiratory, peripheral vascular,
breast, and abdominal assessments.
Section 1: Cardiovascular Assessment (Heart Sounds &
Murmurs)
1. The nurse is auscultating heart sounds. Which sound is
produced by the closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves?
A) S1
B) S2
C) S3
D) S4
Answer: A
Rationale: S1 ("lub") is caused by the closure of the
atrioventricular (mitral and tricuspid) valves at the beginning of
systole. S2 ("dub") is caused by closure of the semilunar (aortic
and pulmonic) valves. S3 and S4 are diastolic sounds.
2. A patient presents with a murmur best heard at the right
2nd intercostal space that radiates to the carotid arteries. This
finding is most consistent with:
A) Mitral regurgitation
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B) Aortic stenosis
C) Pulmonic stenosis
D) Tricuspid regurgitation
Answer: B
Rationale: Aortic stenosis produces a harsh, crescendo-
decrescendo systolic ejection murmur at the aortic area (right
2nd ICS) with radiation to the carotids.
3. During a cardiovascular examination, the nurse practitioner
auscultates a high-pitched, blowing, decrescendo murmur
best heard at the left sternal border in the second intercostal
space. This finding is most characteristic of which valvular
defect?
A) Aortic stenosis
B) Mitral regurgitation
C) Aortic regurgitation
D) Mitral stenosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Aortic regurgitation presents as a high-pitched,
blowing, decrescendo diastolic murmur best heard at the left
sternal border (Erb's point).
4. The "point of maximal impulse" (PMI) is normally palpated
at which location?
A) Right 2nd intercostal space
B) Left 5th intercostal space at the midclavicular line
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C) Left 2nd intercostal space
D) Sternal notch
Answer: B
Rationale: The PMI (apical impulse) is normally palpated at the
left 5th intercostal space at the midclavicular line in adults.
5. Which heart sound is associated with heart failure and is
described as a "ventricular gallop"?
A) S1
B) S2
C) S3
D) S4
Answer: C
Rationale: S3 is a low-pitched diastolic sound heard early in
diastole and is associated with heart failure ("ventricular
gallop"). S4 is an atrial gallop heard late in diastole.
6. Jugular venous distention (JVD) is best assessed with the
patient in which position?
A) Supine
B) Semi-Fowler's at 30–45 degrees
C) Prone
D) High Fowler's at 90 degrees
Answer: B
Rationale: JVD is best assessed with the patient in a semi-
Week 4 Health Assessment Practice Exam (Original)
EXAM | Latest Update | Original Questions & Answers
with Detailed Rationales | Graded A+
Exam Focus: Cardiovascular, respiratory, peripheral vascular,
breast, and abdominal assessments.
Section 1: Cardiovascular Assessment (Heart Sounds &
Murmurs)
1. The nurse is auscultating heart sounds. Which sound is
produced by the closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves?
A) S1
B) S2
C) S3
D) S4
Answer: A
Rationale: S1 ("lub") is caused by the closure of the
atrioventricular (mitral and tricuspid) valves at the beginning of
systole. S2 ("dub") is caused by closure of the semilunar (aortic
and pulmonic) valves. S3 and S4 are diastolic sounds.
2. A patient presents with a murmur best heard at the right
2nd intercostal space that radiates to the carotid arteries. This
finding is most consistent with:
A) Mitral regurgitation
,https://www.stuvia.com/user/performance
B) Aortic stenosis
C) Pulmonic stenosis
D) Tricuspid regurgitation
Answer: B
Rationale: Aortic stenosis produces a harsh, crescendo-
decrescendo systolic ejection murmur at the aortic area (right
2nd ICS) with radiation to the carotids.
3. During a cardiovascular examination, the nurse practitioner
auscultates a high-pitched, blowing, decrescendo murmur
best heard at the left sternal border in the second intercostal
space. This finding is most characteristic of which valvular
defect?
A) Aortic stenosis
B) Mitral regurgitation
C) Aortic regurgitation
D) Mitral stenosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Aortic regurgitation presents as a high-pitched,
blowing, decrescendo diastolic murmur best heard at the left
sternal border (Erb's point).
4. The "point of maximal impulse" (PMI) is normally palpated
at which location?
A) Right 2nd intercostal space
B) Left 5th intercostal space at the midclavicular line
, https://www.stuvia.com/user/performance
C) Left 2nd intercostal space
D) Sternal notch
Answer: B
Rationale: The PMI (apical impulse) is normally palpated at the
left 5th intercostal space at the midclavicular line in adults.
5. Which heart sound is associated with heart failure and is
described as a "ventricular gallop"?
A) S1
B) S2
C) S3
D) S4
Answer: C
Rationale: S3 is a low-pitched diastolic sound heard early in
diastole and is associated with heart failure ("ventricular
gallop"). S4 is an atrial gallop heard late in diastole.
6. Jugular venous distention (JVD) is best assessed with the
patient in which position?
A) Supine
B) Semi-Fowler's at 30–45 degrees
C) Prone
D) High Fowler's at 90 degrees
Answer: B
Rationale: JVD is best assessed with the patient in a semi-
