NURS 3301: EXAM 3 STUDY GUIDE (PART 1) | 106 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 2026
UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS DALLAS COLLEGE.
What is the thorax? - (ANSWER)The chest region containing the lungs, heart, and major blood vessels.
What are the components of the thoracic cage? - (ANSWER)Sternum, clavicles, scapulae, 12 thoracic
vertebrae, and 12 pairs of ribs.
What are the three major compartments of the thoracic cavity? - (ANSWER)Airways, blood vessels, and
interstitium (mediastinum).
What is the clinical significance of the suprasternal notch? - (ANSWER)It is used as a starting point to
locate ribs.
What is the Sternal Angle (Angle of Louis)? - (ANSWER)The ridge where the manubrium meets the
sternum, continuous with the 2nd rib.
What are the lobes of the right lung? - (ANSWER)Upper lobe, middle lobe, and lower lobe.
What is the primary trigger for breathing? - (ANSWER)Increased CO₂ level in blood.
What is the difference between inspiration and expiration? - (ANSWER)Inspiration is an active process;
expiration is passive.
What are common respiratory symptoms? - (ANSWER)Dyspnea, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal
dyspnea, cough, and sputum.
What is dyspnea? - (ANSWER)Subjective feeling of shortness of breath.
What is orthopnea? - (ANSWER)Difficulty breathing when lying flat.
, NURS 3301: EXAM 3 STUDY GUIDE (PART 1) | 106 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 2026
UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS DALLAS COLLEGE.
What is paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea? - (ANSWER)Sudden shortness of breath during sleep due to fluid
redistribution.
What is the significance of the abdominal quadrants? - (ANSWER)They help localize abdominal findings
for assessment.
What organs are found in the RUQ? - (ANSWER)Liver and gallbladder.
What is mechanical digestion? - (ANSWER)Physical breakdown of food, including chewing and
peristalsis.
Where does most nutrient absorption occur? - (ANSWER)In the small intestine.
What are common abdominal symptoms? - (ANSWER)Indigestion, anorexia, nausea and vomiting,
abdominal pain, dysphagia, and jaundice.
What is the order of abdominal physical assessment? - (ANSWER)Inspection, auscultation, percussion,
palpation.
What does the Murphy sign indicate? - (ANSWER)Pain with inspiration during RUQ palpation, suggesting
gallbladder inflammation.
What is rebound tenderness a sign of? - (ANSWER)Peritoneal irritation (Blumberg sign).
What is visceral pain? - (ANSWER)Pain from internal organs, typically dull and poorly localized.
What is referred pain? - (ANSWER)Pain felt in a different location than the source.
What are the two types of abdominal palpation? - (ANSWER)Light palpation and deep palpation.
UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS DALLAS COLLEGE.
What is the thorax? - (ANSWER)The chest region containing the lungs, heart, and major blood vessels.
What are the components of the thoracic cage? - (ANSWER)Sternum, clavicles, scapulae, 12 thoracic
vertebrae, and 12 pairs of ribs.
What are the three major compartments of the thoracic cavity? - (ANSWER)Airways, blood vessels, and
interstitium (mediastinum).
What is the clinical significance of the suprasternal notch? - (ANSWER)It is used as a starting point to
locate ribs.
What is the Sternal Angle (Angle of Louis)? - (ANSWER)The ridge where the manubrium meets the
sternum, continuous with the 2nd rib.
What are the lobes of the right lung? - (ANSWER)Upper lobe, middle lobe, and lower lobe.
What is the primary trigger for breathing? - (ANSWER)Increased CO₂ level in blood.
What is the difference between inspiration and expiration? - (ANSWER)Inspiration is an active process;
expiration is passive.
What are common respiratory symptoms? - (ANSWER)Dyspnea, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal
dyspnea, cough, and sputum.
What is dyspnea? - (ANSWER)Subjective feeling of shortness of breath.
What is orthopnea? - (ANSWER)Difficulty breathing when lying flat.
, NURS 3301: EXAM 3 STUDY GUIDE (PART 1) | 106 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 2026
UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS DALLAS COLLEGE.
What is paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea? - (ANSWER)Sudden shortness of breath during sleep due to fluid
redistribution.
What is the significance of the abdominal quadrants? - (ANSWER)They help localize abdominal findings
for assessment.
What organs are found in the RUQ? - (ANSWER)Liver and gallbladder.
What is mechanical digestion? - (ANSWER)Physical breakdown of food, including chewing and
peristalsis.
Where does most nutrient absorption occur? - (ANSWER)In the small intestine.
What are common abdominal symptoms? - (ANSWER)Indigestion, anorexia, nausea and vomiting,
abdominal pain, dysphagia, and jaundice.
What is the order of abdominal physical assessment? - (ANSWER)Inspection, auscultation, percussion,
palpation.
What does the Murphy sign indicate? - (ANSWER)Pain with inspiration during RUQ palpation, suggesting
gallbladder inflammation.
What is rebound tenderness a sign of? - (ANSWER)Peritoneal irritation (Blumberg sign).
What is visceral pain? - (ANSWER)Pain from internal organs, typically dull and poorly localized.
What is referred pain? - (ANSWER)Pain felt in a different location than the source.
What are the two types of abdominal palpation? - (ANSWER)Light palpation and deep palpation.
