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NURS 190 Week 4 Quiz –
Cardiovascular System, Heart
Sounds & Peripheral Vascular Q&A
(WCU)
NURS 190 Week 4 Quiz study resource for WCU Physical
Assessment. Covers cardiovascular assessment including
heart auscultation points (aortic, pulmonic, Erb's point,
tricuspid, mitral), S1 and S2 heart sounds, jugular venous
distention (JVD), carotid artery palpation, peripheral
pulses, capillary refill, and pitting edema grading (1+
through 4+). Includes DVT signs, venous versus arterial
ulcers, and murmurs.
1. The nurse is preparing to assess a patient's vital signs. Which factor should
the nurse consider first?
A. The patient's age
B. The patient's medical history
C. The patient's baseline vital signs
D. The time of day
C. The patient's baseline vital signs
Baseline vital signs provide a reference point for comparison. Changes from baseline
are more significant than isolated abnormal values.
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2. A nurse is assessing a patient's temperature. Which route is considered the
most accurate core temperature measurement?
A. Oral
B. Axillary
C. Rectal
D. Temporal
C. Rectal
Rectal temperature is considered the most accurate reflection of core body
temperature, though it is not always the most practical or preferred route.
3. A nurse is preparing to measure an adult patient's oral temperature. How
long should the thermometer remain in place if using a glass thermometer?
A. 1 minute
B. 2 minutes
C. 3 minutes
D. 5 minutes
C. 3 minutes
For oral temperature using a glass thermometer, the device should remain in place for
3 minutes.
4. What is the normal adult oral temperature range?
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A. 96.0-98.0°F
B. 97.6-99.6°F
C. 98.6-100.6°F
D. 99.0-101.0°F
B. 97.6-99.6°F
Normal oral temperature range is 97.6-99.6°F (36.5-37.5°C).
5. A nurse is assessing a patient's pulse. Which characteristic describes the
strength of the pulse?
A. Rate
B. Rhythm
C. Volume
D. Equality
C. Volume
Pulse volume (amplitude) describes the strength of the pulse and is graded on a 0 to
4+ scale.
6. A nurse documents a patient's pulse as 3+. What does this finding indicate?
A. Absent pulse
B. Weak, thready pulse
C. Normal pulse
D. Full, bounding pulse
D. Full, bounding pulse
On the 0 to 4+ scale, 3+ indicates a full, increased, strong pulse. 2+ is normal.
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7. A nurse is assessing a patient's radial pulse and finds it irregular. What
should the nurse do next?
A. Document the finding and continue
B. Assess the apical pulse for a full minute
C. Recheck the radial pulse in 5 minutes
D. Notify the provider immediately
B. Assess the apical pulse for a full minute
When a radial pulse is irregular, the nurse should assess the apical pulse for a full
minute to accurately determine the heart rate and rhythm.
8. The nurse is preparing to assess a patient's respirations. What is the best
approach?
A. Tell the patient you are counting their breathing
B. Count respirations immediately after counting the radial pulse
C. Ask the patient to breathe deeply
D. Count for 15 seconds and multiply by 4
B. Count respirations immediately after counting the radial pulse
Counting respirations immediately after pulse assessment allows the nurse to observe
breathing without the patient altering their breathing pattern.
9. Which factor can cause an increase in respiratory rate?
NURS 190 Week 4 Quiz –
Cardiovascular System, Heart
Sounds & Peripheral Vascular Q&A
(WCU)
NURS 190 Week 4 Quiz study resource for WCU Physical
Assessment. Covers cardiovascular assessment including
heart auscultation points (aortic, pulmonic, Erb's point,
tricuspid, mitral), S1 and S2 heart sounds, jugular venous
distention (JVD), carotid artery palpation, peripheral
pulses, capillary refill, and pitting edema grading (1+
through 4+). Includes DVT signs, venous versus arterial
ulcers, and murmurs.
1. The nurse is preparing to assess a patient's vital signs. Which factor should
the nurse consider first?
A. The patient's age
B. The patient's medical history
C. The patient's baseline vital signs
D. The time of day
C. The patient's baseline vital signs
Baseline vital signs provide a reference point for comparison. Changes from baseline
are more significant than isolated abnormal values.
,2|Page
2. A nurse is assessing a patient's temperature. Which route is considered the
most accurate core temperature measurement?
A. Oral
B. Axillary
C. Rectal
D. Temporal
C. Rectal
Rectal temperature is considered the most accurate reflection of core body
temperature, though it is not always the most practical or preferred route.
3. A nurse is preparing to measure an adult patient's oral temperature. How
long should the thermometer remain in place if using a glass thermometer?
A. 1 minute
B. 2 minutes
C. 3 minutes
D. 5 minutes
C. 3 minutes
For oral temperature using a glass thermometer, the device should remain in place for
3 minutes.
4. What is the normal adult oral temperature range?
,3|Page
A. 96.0-98.0°F
B. 97.6-99.6°F
C. 98.6-100.6°F
D. 99.0-101.0°F
B. 97.6-99.6°F
Normal oral temperature range is 97.6-99.6°F (36.5-37.5°C).
5. A nurse is assessing a patient's pulse. Which characteristic describes the
strength of the pulse?
A. Rate
B. Rhythm
C. Volume
D. Equality
C. Volume
Pulse volume (amplitude) describes the strength of the pulse and is graded on a 0 to
4+ scale.
6. A nurse documents a patient's pulse as 3+. What does this finding indicate?
A. Absent pulse
B. Weak, thready pulse
C. Normal pulse
D. Full, bounding pulse
D. Full, bounding pulse
On the 0 to 4+ scale, 3+ indicates a full, increased, strong pulse. 2+ is normal.
, 4|Page
7. A nurse is assessing a patient's radial pulse and finds it irregular. What
should the nurse do next?
A. Document the finding and continue
B. Assess the apical pulse for a full minute
C. Recheck the radial pulse in 5 minutes
D. Notify the provider immediately
B. Assess the apical pulse for a full minute
When a radial pulse is irregular, the nurse should assess the apical pulse for a full
minute to accurately determine the heart rate and rhythm.
8. The nurse is preparing to assess a patient's respirations. What is the best
approach?
A. Tell the patient you are counting their breathing
B. Count respirations immediately after counting the radial pulse
C. Ask the patient to breathe deeply
D. Count for 15 seconds and multiply by 4
B. Count respirations immediately after counting the radial pulse
Counting respirations immediately after pulse assessment allows the nurse to observe
breathing without the patient altering their breathing pattern.
9. Which factor can cause an increase in respiratory rate?
