UTA NURS 3320 Exam 2 | Holistic Health Assessment Across
Lifespan (2026) Q&A
1. Which of the following correctly describes the location and cause of the S1 heart sound?
A) Closure of the semilunar valves at the end of systole
B) Closure of the atrioventricular valves at the beginning of systole
C) Rapid ventricular filling during diastole
D) Atrial contraction just before systole
Correct Answer: Closure of the atrioventricular valves at the beginning of systole
Rationale: The S1 heart sound ("lub") is produced by the closure of the atrioventricular
(mitral and tricuspid) valves at the beginning of ventricular systole. S2 ("dub") is the closure
of the semilunar valves. S3 and S4 are diastolic sounds associated with ventricular filling and
atrial contraction respectively.
2. What is the normal jugular venous pressure (JVP) measurement above the sternal angle?
A) Less than 1 cm
B) Less than 3-4 cm
C) 5-6 cm
D) 7-8 cm
Correct Answer: Less than 3-4 cm
Rationale: Normal JVP is typically less than 3-4 cm above the sternal angle. An elevated JVP
(>4 cm) suggests increased central venous pressure, commonly seen in right-sided heart
failure, fluid overload, or cardiac tamponade. JVP is assessed with the patient supine with
the head elevated 30-45 degrees.
,3. What is the correct sequence for assessing the carotid artery?
A) Palpate both carotid arteries simultaneously, then auscultate for bruits
B) Auscultate for bruits, then palpate gently one side at a time
C) Palpate one side, then the other, then auscultate for bruits
D) Auscultate for bruits, then palpate both sides simultaneously
Correct Answer: Auscultate for bruits, then palpate gently one side at a time
Rationale: The carotid artery should be assessed by first auscultating for bruits using the bell
of the stethoscope, then palpating gently one side at a time. Palpating both carotid arteries
simultaneously is contraindicated as it can compromise cerebral blood flow.
4. Which heart sound is produced by closure of the semilunar valves?
A) S1
B) S2
C) S3
D) S4
Correct Answer: S2
Rationale: S2 ("dub") is produced by the closure of the semilunar (aortic and pulmonic)
valves at the end of systole. S1 is the closure of the AV valves, S3 is associated with rapid
ventricular filling, and S4 is associated with atrial contraction.
5. What is the most reliable indicator of a patient's experience of pain?
A) Vital sign changes
B) The patient's self-report
C) Facial expressions
D) Behavioral observations
,Correct Answer: The patient's self-report
Rationale: The patient's self-report is the most reliable indicator of pain. Pain is subjective,
and only the patient can accurately describe their pain experience. Vital signs, facial
expressions, and behaviors can provide supplementary information but are not as reliable as
the patient's own report.
6. Which of the following correctly describes the four steps of nociception in order?
A) Transduction, Transmission, Perception, Modulation
B) Transmission, Transduction, Perception, Modulation
C) Perception, Transduction, Transmission, Modulation
D) Modulation, Transmission, Perception, Transduction
Correct Answer: Transduction, Transmission, Perception, Modulation
Rationale: The four steps of nociception occur in this specific order: Transduction (noxious
stimulus causes tissue injury and release of neurotransmitters), Transmission (pain impulse
travels from spinal cord to brain), Perception (conscious awareness of painful sensation), and
Modulation (body produces neurotransmitters to impede pain impulse).
7. Which type of pain results from abnormal processing of the pain message from an injury
to a nerve fiber?
A) Nociceptive pain
B) Visceral pain
C) Neuropathic pain
D) Somatic pain
Correct Answer: Neuropathic pain
, Rationale: Neuropathic pain results from abnormal processing of the pain message from an
injury to a nerve fiber. It is difficult to assess and treat, and pain is often perceived long after
healing. Examples include diabetic neuropathy, shingles, and phantom limb pain.
8. What is the primary cause of the S3 heart sound?
A) Closure of the AV valves
B) Closure of the semilunar valves
C) Rapid ventricular filling during diastole
D) Atrial contraction
Correct Answer: Rapid ventricular filling during diastole
Rationale: The S3 heart sound is associated with rapid ventricular filling during diastole. It is
often heard in conditions of increased ventricular filling volume, such as heart failure. S3 can
be a normal finding in children and young adults but is typically abnormal in older adults.
9. Which of the following is a common cause of neuropathic pain?
A) Surgical incision
B) Diabetes mellitus
C) Muscle strain
D) Arthritis
Correct Answer: Diabetes mellitus
Rationale: Diabetes mellitus is a common cause of neuropathic pain due to diabetic
neuropathy. Other causes include shingles (herpes zoster), HIV/AIDS, sciatica, trigeminal
neuralgia, phantom limb pain, and chemotherapy. Surgical incisions, muscle strain, and
arthritis typically cause nociceptive pain.
10. What is the primary function of nociceptors?
Lifespan (2026) Q&A
1. Which of the following correctly describes the location and cause of the S1 heart sound?
A) Closure of the semilunar valves at the end of systole
B) Closure of the atrioventricular valves at the beginning of systole
C) Rapid ventricular filling during diastole
D) Atrial contraction just before systole
Correct Answer: Closure of the atrioventricular valves at the beginning of systole
Rationale: The S1 heart sound ("lub") is produced by the closure of the atrioventricular
(mitral and tricuspid) valves at the beginning of ventricular systole. S2 ("dub") is the closure
of the semilunar valves. S3 and S4 are diastolic sounds associated with ventricular filling and
atrial contraction respectively.
2. What is the normal jugular venous pressure (JVP) measurement above the sternal angle?
A) Less than 1 cm
B) Less than 3-4 cm
C) 5-6 cm
D) 7-8 cm
Correct Answer: Less than 3-4 cm
Rationale: Normal JVP is typically less than 3-4 cm above the sternal angle. An elevated JVP
(>4 cm) suggests increased central venous pressure, commonly seen in right-sided heart
failure, fluid overload, or cardiac tamponade. JVP is assessed with the patient supine with
the head elevated 30-45 degrees.
,3. What is the correct sequence for assessing the carotid artery?
A) Palpate both carotid arteries simultaneously, then auscultate for bruits
B) Auscultate for bruits, then palpate gently one side at a time
C) Palpate one side, then the other, then auscultate for bruits
D) Auscultate for bruits, then palpate both sides simultaneously
Correct Answer: Auscultate for bruits, then palpate gently one side at a time
Rationale: The carotid artery should be assessed by first auscultating for bruits using the bell
of the stethoscope, then palpating gently one side at a time. Palpating both carotid arteries
simultaneously is contraindicated as it can compromise cerebral blood flow.
4. Which heart sound is produced by closure of the semilunar valves?
A) S1
B) S2
C) S3
D) S4
Correct Answer: S2
Rationale: S2 ("dub") is produced by the closure of the semilunar (aortic and pulmonic)
valves at the end of systole. S1 is the closure of the AV valves, S3 is associated with rapid
ventricular filling, and S4 is associated with atrial contraction.
5. What is the most reliable indicator of a patient's experience of pain?
A) Vital sign changes
B) The patient's self-report
C) Facial expressions
D) Behavioral observations
,Correct Answer: The patient's self-report
Rationale: The patient's self-report is the most reliable indicator of pain. Pain is subjective,
and only the patient can accurately describe their pain experience. Vital signs, facial
expressions, and behaviors can provide supplementary information but are not as reliable as
the patient's own report.
6. Which of the following correctly describes the four steps of nociception in order?
A) Transduction, Transmission, Perception, Modulation
B) Transmission, Transduction, Perception, Modulation
C) Perception, Transduction, Transmission, Modulation
D) Modulation, Transmission, Perception, Transduction
Correct Answer: Transduction, Transmission, Perception, Modulation
Rationale: The four steps of nociception occur in this specific order: Transduction (noxious
stimulus causes tissue injury and release of neurotransmitters), Transmission (pain impulse
travels from spinal cord to brain), Perception (conscious awareness of painful sensation), and
Modulation (body produces neurotransmitters to impede pain impulse).
7. Which type of pain results from abnormal processing of the pain message from an injury
to a nerve fiber?
A) Nociceptive pain
B) Visceral pain
C) Neuropathic pain
D) Somatic pain
Correct Answer: Neuropathic pain
, Rationale: Neuropathic pain results from abnormal processing of the pain message from an
injury to a nerve fiber. It is difficult to assess and treat, and pain is often perceived long after
healing. Examples include diabetic neuropathy, shingles, and phantom limb pain.
8. What is the primary cause of the S3 heart sound?
A) Closure of the AV valves
B) Closure of the semilunar valves
C) Rapid ventricular filling during diastole
D) Atrial contraction
Correct Answer: Rapid ventricular filling during diastole
Rationale: The S3 heart sound is associated with rapid ventricular filling during diastole. It is
often heard in conditions of increased ventricular filling volume, such as heart failure. S3 can
be a normal finding in children and young adults but is typically abnormal in older adults.
9. Which of the following is a common cause of neuropathic pain?
A) Surgical incision
B) Diabetes mellitus
C) Muscle strain
D) Arthritis
Correct Answer: Diabetes mellitus
Rationale: Diabetes mellitus is a common cause of neuropathic pain due to diabetic
neuropathy. Other causes include shingles (herpes zoster), HIV/AIDS, sciatica, trigeminal
neuralgia, phantom limb pain, and chemotherapy. Surgical incisions, muscle strain, and
arthritis typically cause nociceptive pain.
10. What is the primary function of nociceptors?
