NSG 3160 Exam 3 Review Actual Exam
2026/2027 | Complete Exam-Style Questions
with Detailed Rationales | Pass Guaranteed – A+
Graded
SECTION 1: Cardiovascular Assessment (20-25 Questions)
Q1: The Angle of Louis is an important anatomical landmark used during cardiovascular
assessment. At which rib level is this landmark located?
A. First rib
B. Second rib
C. Third rib
D. Fourth rib
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because the Angle of Louis (manubriosternal angle) is the
articulation of the manubrium and body of the sternum, continuous with the second rib,
serving as the critical landmark for counting intercostal spaces during cardiac
auscultation.
Q2: A nurse is auscultating the heart at the 2nd intercostal space at the right sternal
margin. Which valve is being assessed at this location?
A. Pulmonic valve
,B. Mitral valve
C. Aortic valve
D. Tricuspid valve
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because the aortic valve is heard best at the 2nd intercostal space at
the right sternal margin, which is the standard anatomical location for auscultation of
this semilunar valve.
Q3: During cardiac auscultation, a nurse places the stethoscope at the 3rd left
intercostal space. This landmark is known as:
A. The apex
B. Erb's point
C. The base
D. The tricuspid area
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because Erb's point is located at the 3rd left intercostal space near
the sternal border, where both S1 and S2 can be heard well, and where aortic and
pulmonic murmurs may radiate.
Q4: A nurse is auscultating the heart at the left lower sternal border. Which valve is
being assessed at this location?
A. Aortic valve
,B. Pulmonic valve
C. Mitral valve
D. Tricuspid valve
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Correct because the tricuspid valve is auscultated at the left lower sternal
border (4th or 5th intercostal space), which is the standard anatomical location for
assessment of this atrioventricular valve.
Q5: The mitral valve is best heard at which location?
A. 2nd intercostal space, right sternal border
B. 2nd intercostal space, left sternal border
C. 3rd left intercostal space
D. 5th intercostal space around the left midclavicular line
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Correct because the mitral valve is auscultated at the 5th intercostal space
around the left midclavicular line, also known as the cardiac apex, where S1 is heard
best.
Q6: During auscultation, the nurse hears the "lub" sound (S1). This sound is caused by:
A. Closure of the semilunar valves
B. Closure of the AV valves
, C. Opening of the aortic valve
D. Opening of the pulmonic valve
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because S1 marks the start of systole and is caused by closure of the
atrioventricular (AV) valves (mitral and tricuspid), producing the "lub" sound heard best
at the apex.
Q7: The "dub" sound (S2) heard during cardiac auscultation is best heard at which
location and is caused by:
A. The apex; closure of the AV valves
B. The base; closure of the semilunar valves
C. Erb's point; opening of the semilunar valves
D. The tricuspid area; closure of the tricuspid valve
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because S2 is caused by closure of the semilunar valves (aortic and
pulmonic), producing the "dub" sound heard best at the base of the heart.
Q8: A nurse counts the apical pulse at 88 beats per minute and the radial pulse at 76
beats per minute. What is the pulse deficit, and what does it indicate?
A. 12 beats; indicates tachycardia
B. 12 beats; indicates an irregularity in cardiac rhythm
2026/2027 | Complete Exam-Style Questions
with Detailed Rationales | Pass Guaranteed – A+
Graded
SECTION 1: Cardiovascular Assessment (20-25 Questions)
Q1: The Angle of Louis is an important anatomical landmark used during cardiovascular
assessment. At which rib level is this landmark located?
A. First rib
B. Second rib
C. Third rib
D. Fourth rib
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because the Angle of Louis (manubriosternal angle) is the
articulation of the manubrium and body of the sternum, continuous with the second rib,
serving as the critical landmark for counting intercostal spaces during cardiac
auscultation.
Q2: A nurse is auscultating the heart at the 2nd intercostal space at the right sternal
margin. Which valve is being assessed at this location?
A. Pulmonic valve
,B. Mitral valve
C. Aortic valve
D. Tricuspid valve
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because the aortic valve is heard best at the 2nd intercostal space at
the right sternal margin, which is the standard anatomical location for auscultation of
this semilunar valve.
Q3: During cardiac auscultation, a nurse places the stethoscope at the 3rd left
intercostal space. This landmark is known as:
A. The apex
B. Erb's point
C. The base
D. The tricuspid area
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because Erb's point is located at the 3rd left intercostal space near
the sternal border, where both S1 and S2 can be heard well, and where aortic and
pulmonic murmurs may radiate.
Q4: A nurse is auscultating the heart at the left lower sternal border. Which valve is
being assessed at this location?
A. Aortic valve
,B. Pulmonic valve
C. Mitral valve
D. Tricuspid valve
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Correct because the tricuspid valve is auscultated at the left lower sternal
border (4th or 5th intercostal space), which is the standard anatomical location for
assessment of this atrioventricular valve.
Q5: The mitral valve is best heard at which location?
A. 2nd intercostal space, right sternal border
B. 2nd intercostal space, left sternal border
C. 3rd left intercostal space
D. 5th intercostal space around the left midclavicular line
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Correct because the mitral valve is auscultated at the 5th intercostal space
around the left midclavicular line, also known as the cardiac apex, where S1 is heard
best.
Q6: During auscultation, the nurse hears the "lub" sound (S1). This sound is caused by:
A. Closure of the semilunar valves
B. Closure of the AV valves
, C. Opening of the aortic valve
D. Opening of the pulmonic valve
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because S1 marks the start of systole and is caused by closure of the
atrioventricular (AV) valves (mitral and tricuspid), producing the "lub" sound heard best
at the apex.
Q7: The "dub" sound (S2) heard during cardiac auscultation is best heard at which
location and is caused by:
A. The apex; closure of the AV valves
B. The base; closure of the semilunar valves
C. Erb's point; opening of the semilunar valves
D. The tricuspid area; closure of the tricuspid valve
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because S2 is caused by closure of the semilunar valves (aortic and
pulmonic), producing the "dub" sound heard best at the base of the heart.
Q8: A nurse counts the apical pulse at 88 beats per minute and the radial pulse at 76
beats per minute. What is the pulse deficit, and what does it indicate?
A. 12 beats; indicates tachycardia
B. 12 beats; indicates an irregularity in cardiac rhythm
