NSG 3160
Health Assessment Exam 3 2026/2027 | Galen College of
Nursing | Questions, Answers & Detailed Rationales
This Resource Includes
➢ NSG 3160 Health Assessment Exam 3 review
➢ Practice questions with answers
➢ Detailed rationales
, NSG 3160 Health Assessment Exam 3
2026/2027 | Galen College of Nursing |
Questions, Answers & Detailed Rationales
1. Which of these statements is true regarding the vertebra
prominens? The vertebra prominens is:
• A. The spinous process of C7
• B. The spinous process of T1
• C. The body of C7
• D. The transverse process of T1
Answer: A
Rationale: The vertebra prominens is the spinous process of C7. It is the
most prominent bony spur protruding at the base of the neck and is
used as a landmark for counting vertebrae.
2. When performing a respiratory assessment on a patient, the nurse
notices a costal angle of approximately 90 degrees. This characteristic
is:
• A. A normal finding in a healthy adult
• B. An indication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
,• C. A sign of respiratory distress
• D. An indication of a pneumothorax
Answer: A
Rationale: A costal angle of approximately 90 degrees is a normal
finding in a healthy adult. The costal angle is the angle between the
right and left costal margins at the xiphoid process. It should be less
than 90 degrees in a normal adult. An increased costal angle (barrel
chest) is seen in COPD.
3. When assessing a patient's lungs, the nurse recalls that the left
lung:
• A. Consists of two lobes
• B. Consists of three lobes
• C. Is divided by the horizontal fissure
• D. Is smaller than the right lung
Answer: A
Rationale: The left lung consists of two lobes (upper and lower). The
right lung has three lobes (upper, middle, and lower). The left lung is
narrower than the right lung because the heart bulges into the left
thoracic cavity.
, 4. Which statement about the apices of the lungs is true? The apices
of the lungs:
• A. Extend 3 to 4 cm above the inner third of the clavicles
• B. Are located at the level of the clavicles
• C. Extend below the clavicles
• D. Are located at the level of the second rib
Answer: A
Rationale: The apices of the lungs extend 3 to 4 cm above the inner
third of the clavicles. This is an important landmark for auscultation and
assessment.
5. During an examination of the anterior thorax, the nurse is aware
that the trachea bifurcates anteriorly at the:
• A. Sternal angle
• B. Suprasternal notch
• C. Xiphoid process
• D. Clavicle
Answer: A
Rationale: The trachea bifurcates anteriorly at the sternal angle (angle
of Louis), which is located at the level of the second rib. This is where
the trachea divides into the right and left main bronchi.
Health Assessment Exam 3 2026/2027 | Galen College of
Nursing | Questions, Answers & Detailed Rationales
This Resource Includes
➢ NSG 3160 Health Assessment Exam 3 review
➢ Practice questions with answers
➢ Detailed rationales
, NSG 3160 Health Assessment Exam 3
2026/2027 | Galen College of Nursing |
Questions, Answers & Detailed Rationales
1. Which of these statements is true regarding the vertebra
prominens? The vertebra prominens is:
• A. The spinous process of C7
• B. The spinous process of T1
• C. The body of C7
• D. The transverse process of T1
Answer: A
Rationale: The vertebra prominens is the spinous process of C7. It is the
most prominent bony spur protruding at the base of the neck and is
used as a landmark for counting vertebrae.
2. When performing a respiratory assessment on a patient, the nurse
notices a costal angle of approximately 90 degrees. This characteristic
is:
• A. A normal finding in a healthy adult
• B. An indication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
,• C. A sign of respiratory distress
• D. An indication of a pneumothorax
Answer: A
Rationale: A costal angle of approximately 90 degrees is a normal
finding in a healthy adult. The costal angle is the angle between the
right and left costal margins at the xiphoid process. It should be less
than 90 degrees in a normal adult. An increased costal angle (barrel
chest) is seen in COPD.
3. When assessing a patient's lungs, the nurse recalls that the left
lung:
• A. Consists of two lobes
• B. Consists of three lobes
• C. Is divided by the horizontal fissure
• D. Is smaller than the right lung
Answer: A
Rationale: The left lung consists of two lobes (upper and lower). The
right lung has three lobes (upper, middle, and lower). The left lung is
narrower than the right lung because the heart bulges into the left
thoracic cavity.
, 4. Which statement about the apices of the lungs is true? The apices
of the lungs:
• A. Extend 3 to 4 cm above the inner third of the clavicles
• B. Are located at the level of the clavicles
• C. Extend below the clavicles
• D. Are located at the level of the second rib
Answer: A
Rationale: The apices of the lungs extend 3 to 4 cm above the inner
third of the clavicles. This is an important landmark for auscultation and
assessment.
5. During an examination of the anterior thorax, the nurse is aware
that the trachea bifurcates anteriorly at the:
• A. Sternal angle
• B. Suprasternal notch
• C. Xiphoid process
• D. Clavicle
Answer: A
Rationale: The trachea bifurcates anteriorly at the sternal angle (angle
of Louis), which is located at the level of the second rib. This is where
the trachea divides into the right and left main bronchi.
