, NURS 3320 EXAM 2
Holistic Health Assessment Across the Lifespan
University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) 100-
Question Practice Examination
2026/2027 Edition
Cardiovascular Assessment
1. What produces the S1 heart sound?
A) Rapid ventricular filling
B) Closure of the aortic and pulmonic valves
C) Closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves
D) Atrial contraction
Correct Answer: C) Closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves
Rationale: S1 marks the beginning of systole and is produced primarily by closure of the atrioventricular valves.
2. What produces the S2 heart sound?
A) Closure of the AV valves
B) Closure of the aortic and pulmonic valves
C) Atrial contraction
D) Rapid ventricular filling
Correct Answer: B) Closure of the aortic and pulmonic valves
Rationale: S2 marks the end of systole and is produced by semilunar valve closure.
3. Where is the aortic area best auscultated?
A) Fourth left sternal border
B) Fifth left intercostal space at midclavicular line
C) Second left intercostal space
D) Second right intercostal space at the sternal border
Correct Answer: D) Second right intercostal space at the sternal border
Rationale: The standard aortic listening post is the second right intercostal space near the sternum.
4. Where is the pulmonic area best auscultated?
A) Epigastrium
B) Fifth intercostal space at the apex
C) Second right intercostal space
D) Second left intercostal space at the sternal border
Correct Answer: D) Second left intercostal space at the sternal border
Rationale: The pulmonic listening area is the second left intercostal space.
5. Where is the mitral area best auscultated?
NURS 3320 Exam 2 | Holistic Health Assessment Across the Lifespan | Original Practice Exam Page 1
, A) Second right intercostal space
B) Right lower sternal border
C) Second left intercostal space
D) Fifth left intercostal space at or near the midclavicular line
Correct Answer: D) Fifth left intercostal space at or near the midclavicular line
Rationale: The mitral area corresponds to the apical impulse in many adults.
6. A normal jugular venous pressure is generally less than approximately how high above the
sternalangle?
A) 15 cm
B) 8 to 10 cm
C) 3 to 4 cm
D) 1 mm
Correct Answer: C) 3 to 4 cm
Rationale: JVP greater than about 3 to 4 cm above the sternal angle suggests elevated right-sided filling pressure.
7. What does an S3 in an older adult most often suggest?
A) Normal aging only
B) Volume overload or ventricular dysfunction
C) Pericarditis
D) Aortic dissection
Correct Answer: B) Volume overload or ventricular dysfunction
Rationale: An S3 may be normal in youth but is often abnormal in older adults and can reflect increased ventricular
filling pressures.
8. An S4 is associated with what physiologic state?
A) A stiff, noncompliant ventricle
B) Pericardial friction
C) Normal semilunar closure
D) Rapid passive filling into a dilated ventricle
Correct Answer: A) A stiff, noncompliant ventricle
Rationale: S4 occurs when atrial contraction forces blood into a stiff ventricle.
9. Which murmur typically radiates to the carotids?
A) Aortic stenosis
B) Pulmonic stenosis only
C) Mitral regurgitation
D) Tricuspid regurgitation
Correct Answer: A) Aortic stenosis
NURS 3320 Exam 2 | Holistic Health Assessment Across the Lifespan | Original Practice Exam Page 2
Holistic Health Assessment Across the Lifespan
University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) 100-
Question Practice Examination
2026/2027 Edition
Cardiovascular Assessment
1. What produces the S1 heart sound?
A) Rapid ventricular filling
B) Closure of the aortic and pulmonic valves
C) Closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves
D) Atrial contraction
Correct Answer: C) Closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves
Rationale: S1 marks the beginning of systole and is produced primarily by closure of the atrioventricular valves.
2. What produces the S2 heart sound?
A) Closure of the AV valves
B) Closure of the aortic and pulmonic valves
C) Atrial contraction
D) Rapid ventricular filling
Correct Answer: B) Closure of the aortic and pulmonic valves
Rationale: S2 marks the end of systole and is produced by semilunar valve closure.
3. Where is the aortic area best auscultated?
A) Fourth left sternal border
B) Fifth left intercostal space at midclavicular line
C) Second left intercostal space
D) Second right intercostal space at the sternal border
Correct Answer: D) Second right intercostal space at the sternal border
Rationale: The standard aortic listening post is the second right intercostal space near the sternum.
4. Where is the pulmonic area best auscultated?
A) Epigastrium
B) Fifth intercostal space at the apex
C) Second right intercostal space
D) Second left intercostal space at the sternal border
Correct Answer: D) Second left intercostal space at the sternal border
Rationale: The pulmonic listening area is the second left intercostal space.
5. Where is the mitral area best auscultated?
NURS 3320 Exam 2 | Holistic Health Assessment Across the Lifespan | Original Practice Exam Page 1
, A) Second right intercostal space
B) Right lower sternal border
C) Second left intercostal space
D) Fifth left intercostal space at or near the midclavicular line
Correct Answer: D) Fifth left intercostal space at or near the midclavicular line
Rationale: The mitral area corresponds to the apical impulse in many adults.
6. A normal jugular venous pressure is generally less than approximately how high above the
sternalangle?
A) 15 cm
B) 8 to 10 cm
C) 3 to 4 cm
D) 1 mm
Correct Answer: C) 3 to 4 cm
Rationale: JVP greater than about 3 to 4 cm above the sternal angle suggests elevated right-sided filling pressure.
7. What does an S3 in an older adult most often suggest?
A) Normal aging only
B) Volume overload or ventricular dysfunction
C) Pericarditis
D) Aortic dissection
Correct Answer: B) Volume overload or ventricular dysfunction
Rationale: An S3 may be normal in youth but is often abnormal in older adults and can reflect increased ventricular
filling pressures.
8. An S4 is associated with what physiologic state?
A) A stiff, noncompliant ventricle
B) Pericardial friction
C) Normal semilunar closure
D) Rapid passive filling into a dilated ventricle
Correct Answer: A) A stiff, noncompliant ventricle
Rationale: S4 occurs when atrial contraction forces blood into a stiff ventricle.
9. Which murmur typically radiates to the carotids?
A) Aortic stenosis
B) Pulmonic stenosis only
C) Mitral regurgitation
D) Tricuspid regurgitation
Correct Answer: A) Aortic stenosis
NURS 3320 Exam 2 | Holistic Health Assessment Across the Lifespan | Original Practice Exam Page 2
