GCU NUR 634 MIDTERM EXAM /
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES GRADED A+ LATEST
Question 1
A 68-year-old male presents with exertional dyspnea and bilateral ankle
edema. Which physical assessment finding most strongly supports left-sided
heart failure?
A. Hepatomegaly
B. Pulmonary crackles
C. Jugular venous distention
D. Ascites
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pulmonary crackles result from fluid accumulation in the alveoli,
a hallmark of left-sided heart failure. Jugular venous distention,
hepatomegaly, and ascites are more consistent with right-sided failure.
,Question 2
During cardiac auscultation, an S3 heart sound is most commonly associated
with which condition in adults?
A. Mitral valve stenosis
B. Normal aging
C. Ventricular volume overload
D. Pericarditis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An S3 is produced by rapid ventricular filling and is associated
with volume overload states such as heart failure in adults. It is not a normal
age-related finding.
Question 3
A patient reports intermittent claudication. Which assessment technique best
confirms peripheral arterial disease?
A. Capillary refill assessment
B. Ankle-brachial index
C. Homan's sign
D. Venous Doppler ultrasound
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ankle-brachial index compares systolic pressures in the
ankle and arm and is the most reliable noninvasive screening tool for
peripheral arterial disease.
Question 4
A 55-year-old female presents with a palpable thyroid nodule. Which
finding is most concerning for malignancy?
A. Soft, mobile nodule
B. Painful enlargement
C. Firm, fixed nodule
D. Symmetric thyroid enlargement
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Firm, fixed, and non-tender nodules raise concern for thyroid
malignancy, whereas mobile or painful nodules are more often benign or
inflammatory.
Question 5
, Which lung sound is described as low-pitched, continuous, and most
prominent during expiration?
A. Crackles
B. Pleural friction rub
C. Wheezes
D. Stridor
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Wheezes are continuous, musical sounds caused by narrowed
airways and are most prominent during expiration.
Question 6
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is expected to
demonstrate which thoracic configuration?
A. Pectus excavatum
B. Barrel chest
C. Kyphoscoliosis
D. Funnel chest
Correct Answer: B
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES GRADED A+ LATEST
Question 1
A 68-year-old male presents with exertional dyspnea and bilateral ankle
edema. Which physical assessment finding most strongly supports left-sided
heart failure?
A. Hepatomegaly
B. Pulmonary crackles
C. Jugular venous distention
D. Ascites
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pulmonary crackles result from fluid accumulation in the alveoli,
a hallmark of left-sided heart failure. Jugular venous distention,
hepatomegaly, and ascites are more consistent with right-sided failure.
,Question 2
During cardiac auscultation, an S3 heart sound is most commonly associated
with which condition in adults?
A. Mitral valve stenosis
B. Normal aging
C. Ventricular volume overload
D. Pericarditis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An S3 is produced by rapid ventricular filling and is associated
with volume overload states such as heart failure in adults. It is not a normal
age-related finding.
Question 3
A patient reports intermittent claudication. Which assessment technique best
confirms peripheral arterial disease?
A. Capillary refill assessment
B. Ankle-brachial index
C. Homan's sign
D. Venous Doppler ultrasound
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ankle-brachial index compares systolic pressures in the
ankle and arm and is the most reliable noninvasive screening tool for
peripheral arterial disease.
Question 4
A 55-year-old female presents with a palpable thyroid nodule. Which
finding is most concerning for malignancy?
A. Soft, mobile nodule
B. Painful enlargement
C. Firm, fixed nodule
D. Symmetric thyroid enlargement
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Firm, fixed, and non-tender nodules raise concern for thyroid
malignancy, whereas mobile or painful nodules are more often benign or
inflammatory.
Question 5
, Which lung sound is described as low-pitched, continuous, and most
prominent during expiration?
A. Crackles
B. Pleural friction rub
C. Wheezes
D. Stridor
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Wheezes are continuous, musical sounds caused by narrowed
airways and are most prominent during expiration.
Question 6
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is expected to
demonstrate which thoracic configuration?
A. Pectus excavatum
B. Barrel chest
C. Kyphoscoliosis
D. Funnel chest
Correct Answer: B
