,Barkley Post Test Exam
Question 1
A patient experiences a sudden onset of pain in her lower leg. The
area is erythematous and warm to the touch but not swollen, and
the patient has a consistent temperature. Based on these findings,
which measure is NOT a correct form of treatment?
A) Elevating the leg
B) Applying warm compresses
C) Prescribing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
D) Ordering bed rest
Correct Answer: D) Ordering bed rest
Rationale: Based on sudden pain, heat, and erythema without
swelling, the patient is most likely experiencing superficial
thrombosis. Mobility is encouraged in superficial thrombosis,
whereas bed rest is standard for deep thrombosis. Elevation, warm
compresses, and NSAIDs are all effective management strategies .
Question 2
Which of the following is NOT a common finding of acute left-
sided heart failure?
A) Coarse rales in all lung fields
B) Hepatomegaly
,C) Wheezing, frothy cough
D) An S3 gallop sound
Correct Answer: B) Hepatomegaly
Rationale: Hepatomegaly is common in chronic right-sided heart
failure but is much less common in acute heart failure. Coarse rales,
wheezing frothy cough, and an S3 gallop are all common findings
of acute left-sided heart failure .
Question 3
With regard to S3 and S4 heart sounds, which statement is true?
A) An S3 sounds like "Kentucky" and is expected during
pregnancy but otherwise is not a normal finding in the adult
B) An S3 is an atrial gallop and sounds like "Tennessee"
C) An S4 sounds like "Kentucky" and is expected during
pregnancy but otherwise is not a normal finding in the adult
D) An S4 is a ventricular gallop and sounds like "Tennessee"
Correct Answer: A) An S3 sounds like "Kentucky" and is
expected during pregnancy but otherwise is not a normal
finding in the adult
Rationale: An S3 is a ventricular gallop matching "Kentucky" and
presents with increased fluid states; it may be normal during
pregnancy but otherwise indicates conditions like chronic heart
failure. An S4 is an atrial gallop matching "Tennessee" and is
associated with stiff ventricular wall conditions .
, Question 4
Which statement is NOT typical of the heart murmur with which it
is associated?
A) A grade I murmur is barely audible
B) A grade II murmur is associated with a thrill
C) A grade III murmur can easily be heard
D) A grade V murmur can be heard off the chest wall with one
corner of the stethoscope
Correct Answer: B) A grade II murmur is associated with a
thrill
Rationale: A grade IV murmur, not grade II, is often accompanied
by a palpable thrill. Grade I is barely audible, grade II is audible but
faint, grade III can easily be heard, and grade V is loud enough to
be heard off the chest wall .
Question 5
You hear a low-pitched diastolic rumble at the fifth intercostal
space with the patient in the left lateral position. The murmur
does not radiate. You refer the patient to cardiology to "rule out"
which condition?
A) Aortic regurgitation
B) Mitral stenosis
C) Aortic stenosis
D) Mitral regurgitation
Correct Answer: B) Mitral stenosis
Rationale: A low-pitched diastolic rumble best heard at the apex in
Question 1
A patient experiences a sudden onset of pain in her lower leg. The
area is erythematous and warm to the touch but not swollen, and
the patient has a consistent temperature. Based on these findings,
which measure is NOT a correct form of treatment?
A) Elevating the leg
B) Applying warm compresses
C) Prescribing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
D) Ordering bed rest
Correct Answer: D) Ordering bed rest
Rationale: Based on sudden pain, heat, and erythema without
swelling, the patient is most likely experiencing superficial
thrombosis. Mobility is encouraged in superficial thrombosis,
whereas bed rest is standard for deep thrombosis. Elevation, warm
compresses, and NSAIDs are all effective management strategies .
Question 2
Which of the following is NOT a common finding of acute left-
sided heart failure?
A) Coarse rales in all lung fields
B) Hepatomegaly
,C) Wheezing, frothy cough
D) An S3 gallop sound
Correct Answer: B) Hepatomegaly
Rationale: Hepatomegaly is common in chronic right-sided heart
failure but is much less common in acute heart failure. Coarse rales,
wheezing frothy cough, and an S3 gallop are all common findings
of acute left-sided heart failure .
Question 3
With regard to S3 and S4 heart sounds, which statement is true?
A) An S3 sounds like "Kentucky" and is expected during
pregnancy but otherwise is not a normal finding in the adult
B) An S3 is an atrial gallop and sounds like "Tennessee"
C) An S4 sounds like "Kentucky" and is expected during
pregnancy but otherwise is not a normal finding in the adult
D) An S4 is a ventricular gallop and sounds like "Tennessee"
Correct Answer: A) An S3 sounds like "Kentucky" and is
expected during pregnancy but otherwise is not a normal
finding in the adult
Rationale: An S3 is a ventricular gallop matching "Kentucky" and
presents with increased fluid states; it may be normal during
pregnancy but otherwise indicates conditions like chronic heart
failure. An S4 is an atrial gallop matching "Tennessee" and is
associated with stiff ventricular wall conditions .
, Question 4
Which statement is NOT typical of the heart murmur with which it
is associated?
A) A grade I murmur is barely audible
B) A grade II murmur is associated with a thrill
C) A grade III murmur can easily be heard
D) A grade V murmur can be heard off the chest wall with one
corner of the stethoscope
Correct Answer: B) A grade II murmur is associated with a
thrill
Rationale: A grade IV murmur, not grade II, is often accompanied
by a palpable thrill. Grade I is barely audible, grade II is audible but
faint, grade III can easily be heard, and grade V is loud enough to
be heard off the chest wall .
Question 5
You hear a low-pitched diastolic rumble at the fifth intercostal
space with the patient in the left lateral position. The murmur
does not radiate. You refer the patient to cardiology to "rule out"
which condition?
A) Aortic regurgitation
B) Mitral stenosis
C) Aortic stenosis
D) Mitral regurgitation
Correct Answer: B) Mitral stenosis
Rationale: A low-pitched diastolic rumble best heard at the apex in
