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GALEN COLLEGE – NSG 3160 HEALTH
ASSESSMENT – 2026 EXAM 3 COMPLETE
(160) CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES|GRADED A+.
NSG
Prepare for the Galen NSG 3160 Exam 3 – Health Assessment with
practice questions covering cardiovascular, respiratory, abdominal,
musculoskeletal, and neurologic assessment — content typical for a third
health assessment exam. This study guide helps reinforce essential
health assessment concepts and supports effective nursing exam
preparation. Designed to improve clinical reasoning skills and boost
confidence in performing accurate patient assessments. Suitable for
nursing students and healthcare professionals preparing for health
assessment exams.
Multiple choice.
Section 1: Cardiovascular System (Questions 1–40)
1. The nurse auscultates a patient’s heart and hears a split S2 that
widens on inspiration and narrows on expiration. This finding is:
A) Paradoxical splitting
B) Fixed splitting
C) Physiologic (normal) splitting
D) Reverse splitting
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Answer: C. Physiologic (normal) splitting
Explanation: Normal splitting occurs because inspiration increases
venous return to the right ventricle, delaying pulmonic valve closure.
2. A patient with heart failure has an S3 gallop. The nurse knows that
S3 is best heard with the:
A) Bell of the stethoscope at the apex, with the patient lying on the
left side
B) Diaphragm at the base, with the patient sitting forward
C) Bell at the left sternal border
D) Diaphragm at the right second intercostal space
Answer: A. Bell of the stethoscope at the apex, with the patient lying
on the left side
Explanation: S3 is a low-frequency sound best heard with the bell at
the apex in left lateral decubitus position.
3. A patient with a history of hypertension has a sustained, heaving
point of maximal impulse (PMI) at the 6th intercostal space, anterior
axillary line. This suggests:
A) Right ventricular hypertrophy
B) Left ventricular hypertrophy (pressure overload)
C) Dilated cardiomyopathy
D) Pericardial effusion
Answer: B. Left ventricular hypertrophy (pressure overload)
Explanation: Sustained, forceful PMI displaced laterally and
inferiorly indicates left ventricular hypertrophy from chronic
hypertension.
4. The nurse palpates the precordium and feels a thrill at the right
second intercostal space. This is most consistent with:
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A) Aortic stenosis
B) Mitral regurgitation
C) Pulmonic stenosis
D) Ventricular septal defect
Answer: A. Aortic stenosis
Explanation: A thrill in the aortic area (right 2nd ICS) suggests
severe aortic stenosis (grade IV or higher murmur).
5. A patient with aortic regurgitation has a widened pulse pressure
(e.g., 160/50 mmHg). This is due to:
A) Increased stroke volume and rapid runoff in diastole
B) Increased peripheral resistance
C) Decreased stroke volume
D) Bradycardia
Answer: A. Increased stroke volume and rapid runoff in diastole
Explanation: Aortic regurgitation causes increased left ventricular
stroke volume and diastolic leakage from aorta to ventricle, resulting
in low diastolic pressure and wide pulse pressure.
6. The nurse hears a mid-systolic click followed by a late systolic
murmur at the apex. This is diagnostic of:
A) Mitral valve prolapse
B) Aortic stenosis
C) Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
D) Tricuspid regurgitation
Answer: A. Mitral valve prolapse
Explanation: The mid-systolic click (from chordae tension) and late
systolic murmur (from mitral regurgitation) are classic for MVP.
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7. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has
an increased pulmonic component of S2 (loud P2). This indicates:
A) Normal finding in COPD
B) Pulmonary hypertension
C) Left ventricular failure
D) Atrial septal defect
Answer: B. Pulmonary hypertension
Explanation: A loud P2 (pulmonic valve closure) suggests elevated
pulmonary artery pressure, often due to cor pulmonale from COPD.
8. The nurse assesses a patient’s jugular venous pressure (JVP) and
measures it at 12 cm H₂O above the sternal angle. This is:
A) Normal
B) Mildly elevated (normal <8-9 cm)
C) Severely elevated
D) Cannot determine without angle of Louis
Answer: B. Mildly elevated (normal <8-9 cm)
Explanation: Normal JVP is ≤8-9 cm H₂O above the sternal angle.
Elevated JVP indicates right atrial pressure elevation (e.g., heart
failure).
9. A patient with a new murmur also has fever, anorexia, and weight
loss. The nurse should consider:
A) Infective endocarditis
B) Rheumatic heart disease
C) Myxoma
D) Acute rheumatic fever
GALEN COLLEGE – NSG 3160 HEALTH
ASSESSMENT – 2026 EXAM 3 COMPLETE
(160) CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES|GRADED A+.
NSG
Prepare for the Galen NSG 3160 Exam 3 – Health Assessment with
practice questions covering cardiovascular, respiratory, abdominal,
musculoskeletal, and neurologic assessment — content typical for a third
health assessment exam. This study guide helps reinforce essential
health assessment concepts and supports effective nursing exam
preparation. Designed to improve clinical reasoning skills and boost
confidence in performing accurate patient assessments. Suitable for
nursing students and healthcare professionals preparing for health
assessment exams.
Multiple choice.
Section 1: Cardiovascular System (Questions 1–40)
1. The nurse auscultates a patient’s heart and hears a split S2 that
widens on inspiration and narrows on expiration. This finding is:
A) Paradoxical splitting
B) Fixed splitting
C) Physiologic (normal) splitting
D) Reverse splitting
, Page 2 of 59
Answer: C. Physiologic (normal) splitting
Explanation: Normal splitting occurs because inspiration increases
venous return to the right ventricle, delaying pulmonic valve closure.
2. A patient with heart failure has an S3 gallop. The nurse knows that
S3 is best heard with the:
A) Bell of the stethoscope at the apex, with the patient lying on the
left side
B) Diaphragm at the base, with the patient sitting forward
C) Bell at the left sternal border
D) Diaphragm at the right second intercostal space
Answer: A. Bell of the stethoscope at the apex, with the patient lying
on the left side
Explanation: S3 is a low-frequency sound best heard with the bell at
the apex in left lateral decubitus position.
3. A patient with a history of hypertension has a sustained, heaving
point of maximal impulse (PMI) at the 6th intercostal space, anterior
axillary line. This suggests:
A) Right ventricular hypertrophy
B) Left ventricular hypertrophy (pressure overload)
C) Dilated cardiomyopathy
D) Pericardial effusion
Answer: B. Left ventricular hypertrophy (pressure overload)
Explanation: Sustained, forceful PMI displaced laterally and
inferiorly indicates left ventricular hypertrophy from chronic
hypertension.
4. The nurse palpates the precordium and feels a thrill at the right
second intercostal space. This is most consistent with:
, Page 3 of 59
A) Aortic stenosis
B) Mitral regurgitation
C) Pulmonic stenosis
D) Ventricular septal defect
Answer: A. Aortic stenosis
Explanation: A thrill in the aortic area (right 2nd ICS) suggests
severe aortic stenosis (grade IV or higher murmur).
5. A patient with aortic regurgitation has a widened pulse pressure
(e.g., 160/50 mmHg). This is due to:
A) Increased stroke volume and rapid runoff in diastole
B) Increased peripheral resistance
C) Decreased stroke volume
D) Bradycardia
Answer: A. Increased stroke volume and rapid runoff in diastole
Explanation: Aortic regurgitation causes increased left ventricular
stroke volume and diastolic leakage from aorta to ventricle, resulting
in low diastolic pressure and wide pulse pressure.
6. The nurse hears a mid-systolic click followed by a late systolic
murmur at the apex. This is diagnostic of:
A) Mitral valve prolapse
B) Aortic stenosis
C) Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
D) Tricuspid regurgitation
Answer: A. Mitral valve prolapse
Explanation: The mid-systolic click (from chordae tension) and late
systolic murmur (from mitral regurgitation) are classic for MVP.
, Page 4 of 59
7. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has
an increased pulmonic component of S2 (loud P2). This indicates:
A) Normal finding in COPD
B) Pulmonary hypertension
C) Left ventricular failure
D) Atrial septal defect
Answer: B. Pulmonary hypertension
Explanation: A loud P2 (pulmonic valve closure) suggests elevated
pulmonary artery pressure, often due to cor pulmonale from COPD.
8. The nurse assesses a patient’s jugular venous pressure (JVP) and
measures it at 12 cm H₂O above the sternal angle. This is:
A) Normal
B) Mildly elevated (normal <8-9 cm)
C) Severely elevated
D) Cannot determine without angle of Louis
Answer: B. Mildly elevated (normal <8-9 cm)
Explanation: Normal JVP is ≤8-9 cm H₂O above the sternal angle.
Elevated JVP indicates right atrial pressure elevation (e.g., heart
failure).
9. A patient with a new murmur also has fever, anorexia, and weight
loss. The nurse should consider:
A) Infective endocarditis
B) Rheumatic heart disease
C) Myxoma
D) Acute rheumatic fever
