Page 1 of 60
GALEN NSG 3160 2026 EXAM 4: HEALTH
ASSESSMENT COMPLETE (160) CURRENT
TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES|GRADED A+.
NSG
Prepare for the Galen NSG 3160 Exam 4 – Health Assessment with
practice questions covering cardiovascular, respiratory, abdominal,
musculoskeletal, neurologic, and integumentary systems, as well as
assessment of special populations. This study guide helps reinforce
essential health assessment concepts and supports effective nursing
exam preparation. Designed to improve clinical observation skills and
boost confidence in performing comprehensive patient assessments.
Suitable for nursing students and healthcare professionals preparing for
health assessment exams.
Multiple choice.
Section 1: Cardiovascular Assessment (Questions 1–30)
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
, Page 2 of 60
Answer: A. S1
Explanation: S1 (“lub”) is caused by the closure of the
atrioventricular (mitral and tricuspid) valves at the beginning of
systole.
2. A patient presents with a murmur that is best heard at the
right 2nd intercostal space and radiates to the carotid arteries.
This finding is most consistent with:
A) Mitral regurgitation
B) Aortic stenosis
C) Pulmonic stenosis
D) Tricuspid regurgitation
Answer: B. Aortic stenosis
Explanation: Aortic stenosis produces a harsh,
crescendo-decrescendo systolic ejection murmur at the aortic area
(right 2nd ICS) with radiation to the carotids.
3. The nurse palpates the point of maximal impulse (PMI). In a
healthy adult, the PMI is located at the:
A) 2nd left intercostal space, midclavicular line
B) 5th left intercostal space, midclavicular line
C) 5th right intercostal space, sternal border
D) 2nd right intercostal space, sternal border
Answer: B. 5th left intercostal space, midclavicular line
Explanation: The PMI corresponds to the left ventricular apex and is
normally at the 5th left intercostal space at the midclavicular line.
4. A patient has a blood pressure of 160/50 mmHg. This widened
pulse pressure is characteristic of:
A) Aortic regurgitation
, Page 3 of 60
B) Cardiac tamponade
C) Severe aortic stenosis
D) Hypertension
Answer: A. Aortic regurgitation
Explanation: A widened pulse pressure (high systolic, low diastolic)
is classic for chronic aortic regurgitation.
5. The nurse notes a “thrill” on cardiac palpation. A thrill is a:
A) Palpable vibration indicating turbulent blood flow
B) Audible murmur
C) Visible pulsation
D) Sound of a pericardial rub
Answer: A. Palpable vibration indicating turbulent blood flow
Explanation: A thrill is a palpable vibration felt on the chest wall,
often associated with a loud murmur (grade 4-6).
6. A patient has a “mid-systolic click” followed by a late systolic
murmur at the apex. This is characteristic of:
A) Mitral valve prolapse
B) Aortic stenosis
C) Mitral stenosis
D) Tricuspid regurgitation
Answer: A. Mitral valve prolapse
Explanation: The mid-systolic click and late systolic murmur are
hallmarks of mitral valve prolapse.
7. The nurse assesses a patient’s jugular venous pressure (JVP).
With the head of bed at 45 degrees, the JVP is considered
elevated if the meniscus is more than:
, Page 4 of 60
A) 2 cm above the sternal angle
B) 4 cm above the sternal angle
C) 6 cm above the sternal angle
D) 10 cm above the sternal angle
Answer: B. 4 cm above the sternal angle
Explanation: Normal JVP is less than 4 cm (or 8 cm H2O) above the
sternal angle. Elevation suggests right heart failure, tamponade, or
SVC obstruction.
8. A patient has an S3 heart sound. This is best heard with the:
A) Bell at the apex in left lateral decubitus position
B) Diaphragm at the base
C) Bell at the right sternal border
D) Diaphragm at the left 2nd intercostal space
Answer: A. Bell at the apex in left lateral decubitus position
Explanation: S3 is a low-frequency sound best heard with the bell at
the apex with the patient in left lateral decubitus. In older adults it
often indicates heart failure.
9. The nurse auscultates a “pericardial friction rub.” This sound
is best heard with the patient:
A) Lying supine
B) Sitting and leaning forward with breath held in expiration
C) Left lateral decubitus
D) Prone
Answer: B. Sitting and leaning forward with breath held in expiration
Explanation: Pericardial rubs are often best heard at the left sternal
border with the patient leaning forward and breath held.
GALEN NSG 3160 2026 EXAM 4: HEALTH
ASSESSMENT COMPLETE (160) CURRENT
TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES|GRADED A+.
NSG
Prepare for the Galen NSG 3160 Exam 4 – Health Assessment with
practice questions covering cardiovascular, respiratory, abdominal,
musculoskeletal, neurologic, and integumentary systems, as well as
assessment of special populations. This study guide helps reinforce
essential health assessment concepts and supports effective nursing
exam preparation. Designed to improve clinical observation skills and
boost confidence in performing comprehensive patient assessments.
Suitable for nursing students and healthcare professionals preparing for
health assessment exams.
Multiple choice.
Section 1: Cardiovascular Assessment (Questions 1–30)
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
, Page 2 of 60
Answer: A. S1
Explanation: S1 (“lub”) is caused by the closure of the
atrioventricular (mitral and tricuspid) valves at the beginning of
systole.
2. A patient presents with a murmur that is best heard at the
right 2nd intercostal space and radiates to the carotid arteries.
This finding is most consistent with:
A) Mitral regurgitation
B) Aortic stenosis
C) Pulmonic stenosis
D) Tricuspid regurgitation
Answer: B. Aortic stenosis
Explanation: Aortic stenosis produces a harsh,
crescendo-decrescendo systolic ejection murmur at the aortic area
(right 2nd ICS) with radiation to the carotids.
3. The nurse palpates the point of maximal impulse (PMI). In a
healthy adult, the PMI is located at the:
A) 2nd left intercostal space, midclavicular line
B) 5th left intercostal space, midclavicular line
C) 5th right intercostal space, sternal border
D) 2nd right intercostal space, sternal border
Answer: B. 5th left intercostal space, midclavicular line
Explanation: The PMI corresponds to the left ventricular apex and is
normally at the 5th left intercostal space at the midclavicular line.
4. A patient has a blood pressure of 160/50 mmHg. This widened
pulse pressure is characteristic of:
A) Aortic regurgitation
, Page 3 of 60
B) Cardiac tamponade
C) Severe aortic stenosis
D) Hypertension
Answer: A. Aortic regurgitation
Explanation: A widened pulse pressure (high systolic, low diastolic)
is classic for chronic aortic regurgitation.
5. The nurse notes a “thrill” on cardiac palpation. A thrill is a:
A) Palpable vibration indicating turbulent blood flow
B) Audible murmur
C) Visible pulsation
D) Sound of a pericardial rub
Answer: A. Palpable vibration indicating turbulent blood flow
Explanation: A thrill is a palpable vibration felt on the chest wall,
often associated with a loud murmur (grade 4-6).
6. A patient has a “mid-systolic click” followed by a late systolic
murmur at the apex. This is characteristic of:
A) Mitral valve prolapse
B) Aortic stenosis
C) Mitral stenosis
D) Tricuspid regurgitation
Answer: A. Mitral valve prolapse
Explanation: The mid-systolic click and late systolic murmur are
hallmarks of mitral valve prolapse.
7. The nurse assesses a patient’s jugular venous pressure (JVP).
With the head of bed at 45 degrees, the JVP is considered
elevated if the meniscus is more than:
, Page 4 of 60
A) 2 cm above the sternal angle
B) 4 cm above the sternal angle
C) 6 cm above the sternal angle
D) 10 cm above the sternal angle
Answer: B. 4 cm above the sternal angle
Explanation: Normal JVP is less than 4 cm (or 8 cm H2O) above the
sternal angle. Elevation suggests right heart failure, tamponade, or
SVC obstruction.
8. A patient has an S3 heart sound. This is best heard with the:
A) Bell at the apex in left lateral decubitus position
B) Diaphragm at the base
C) Bell at the right sternal border
D) Diaphragm at the left 2nd intercostal space
Answer: A. Bell at the apex in left lateral decubitus position
Explanation: S3 is a low-frequency sound best heard with the bell at
the apex with the patient in left lateral decubitus. In older adults it
often indicates heart failure.
9. The nurse auscultates a “pericardial friction rub.” This sound
is best heard with the patient:
A) Lying supine
B) Sitting and leaning forward with breath held in expiration
C) Left lateral decubitus
D) Prone
Answer: B. Sitting and leaning forward with breath held in expiration
Explanation: Pericardial rubs are often best heard at the left sternal
border with the patient leaning forward and breath held.
