Grand Canyon University
3 MAXE · 613-GSN
★ ★
GCU College of Nursing & Health Care Professions
EST. 1949
F I N D YO U R P U R P O S E
NSG-316 Exam 3
C A R D I OVA S CU L A R A SS E SS M E N T
INSTITUTION Grand Canyon University COURSE CODE NSG-316
PROGRAM Bachelor of Science in Nursing ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE NSG-316 Exam 3 TOTAL QUESTIONS 48 Questions
COURSE TITLE Health Assessment FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question unless otherwise instructed.
▸ Cardiovascular anatomy, heart sounds, murmurs, and assessment techniques are all testable content.
▸ Key terms and definitions from the course are emphasized throughout.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question for board review purposes.
▸ All content reflects current nursing education standards.
, SECTION I — CARDIOVASCULAR ASSESSMENT Questions 1 – 48
1. What is the myocardium?
A. Heart muscle that surrounds ventricles and atrium; atria are thinner as they need to
pump less strong
B. External layer that protects the heart from injury/infection
C. Three-layered membrane that lines heart chambers
D. The inner lining of the heart
CORRECT ANSWER A — Heart muscle that surrounds ventricles and atrium; atria are thinner as
they need to pump less strong
RATIONALE The myocardium is the muscular layer of the heart that surrounds the ventricles
and atria. The atria are thinner because they pump blood a shorter distance (to
the ventricles), while the ventricles have thicker muscular walls to pump blood to
the lungs (right ventricle) and the rest of the body (left ventricle).
2. What is the pericardium?
A. External layer that protects the heart from injury/infection
B. Heart muscle that surrounds ventricles and atrium
C. Three-layered membrane that lines heart chambers
D. The inner lining of the heart
CORRECT ANSWER A — External layer that protects the heart from injury/infection
RATIONALE The pericardium is the external layer that surrounds the heart and protects it from
injury and infection. It consists of a fibrous outer layer and a serous inner layer
that produces pericardial fluid to reduce friction during cardiac contractions.
, 3. What is the S2 heart sound?
A. Occurs with closure of aortic and pulmonic valves (semilunar valves); "dub" sound;
loudest at base of heart (2nd intercostal space)
B. Occurs with closure of mitral and tricuspid valves (AV valve); "lub" sound; loudest at apex
C. Not usually heard; gallop sound; indication of HF
D. Create vibrations; can be heard right before S1 sound
CORRECT ANSWER A — Occurs with closure of aortic and pulmonic valves (semilunar valves);
"dub" sound; loudest at base of heart (2nd intercostal space)
RATIONALE S2 is the second heart sound, produced by the closure of the aortic and pulmonic
(semilunar) valves at the end of ventricular systole. It creates the "dub" sound and
is loudest at the base of the heart (2nd intercostal space).
4. What is a thrill?
A. Palpable vibratory sensation felt on aspects of 4 fingers; audible with stethoscope;
exaggerated heart murmurs
B. A swishing sound heard over arteries
C. A gentle blowing/swooshing sound heard directly over the heart
D. Sustained forceful thrusting of the ventricle during systole
CORRECT ANSWER A — Palpable vibratory sensation felt on aspects of 4 fingers; audible with
stethoscope; exaggerated heart murmurs
RATIONALE A thrill is a palpable vibratory sensation that can be felt with the fingers, often
described as a buzzing or vibrating feeling. It is associated with turbulent blood
flow and is often palpable when murmurs are present. Thrills are classified on a
scale of 1-6 and indicate significant valvular or structural heart disease.
3 MAXE · 613-GSN
★ ★
GCU College of Nursing & Health Care Professions
EST. 1949
F I N D YO U R P U R P O S E
NSG-316 Exam 3
C A R D I OVA S CU L A R A SS E SS M E N T
INSTITUTION Grand Canyon University COURSE CODE NSG-316
PROGRAM Bachelor of Science in Nursing ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE NSG-316 Exam 3 TOTAL QUESTIONS 48 Questions
COURSE TITLE Health Assessment FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question unless otherwise instructed.
▸ Cardiovascular anatomy, heart sounds, murmurs, and assessment techniques are all testable content.
▸ Key terms and definitions from the course are emphasized throughout.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question for board review purposes.
▸ All content reflects current nursing education standards.
, SECTION I — CARDIOVASCULAR ASSESSMENT Questions 1 – 48
1. What is the myocardium?
A. Heart muscle that surrounds ventricles and atrium; atria are thinner as they need to
pump less strong
B. External layer that protects the heart from injury/infection
C. Three-layered membrane that lines heart chambers
D. The inner lining of the heart
CORRECT ANSWER A — Heart muscle that surrounds ventricles and atrium; atria are thinner as
they need to pump less strong
RATIONALE The myocardium is the muscular layer of the heart that surrounds the ventricles
and atria. The atria are thinner because they pump blood a shorter distance (to
the ventricles), while the ventricles have thicker muscular walls to pump blood to
the lungs (right ventricle) and the rest of the body (left ventricle).
2. What is the pericardium?
A. External layer that protects the heart from injury/infection
B. Heart muscle that surrounds ventricles and atrium
C. Three-layered membrane that lines heart chambers
D. The inner lining of the heart
CORRECT ANSWER A — External layer that protects the heart from injury/infection
RATIONALE The pericardium is the external layer that surrounds the heart and protects it from
injury and infection. It consists of a fibrous outer layer and a serous inner layer
that produces pericardial fluid to reduce friction during cardiac contractions.
, 3. What is the S2 heart sound?
A. Occurs with closure of aortic and pulmonic valves (semilunar valves); "dub" sound;
loudest at base of heart (2nd intercostal space)
B. Occurs with closure of mitral and tricuspid valves (AV valve); "lub" sound; loudest at apex
C. Not usually heard; gallop sound; indication of HF
D. Create vibrations; can be heard right before S1 sound
CORRECT ANSWER A — Occurs with closure of aortic and pulmonic valves (semilunar valves);
"dub" sound; loudest at base of heart (2nd intercostal space)
RATIONALE S2 is the second heart sound, produced by the closure of the aortic and pulmonic
(semilunar) valves at the end of ventricular systole. It creates the "dub" sound and
is loudest at the base of the heart (2nd intercostal space).
4. What is a thrill?
A. Palpable vibratory sensation felt on aspects of 4 fingers; audible with stethoscope;
exaggerated heart murmurs
B. A swishing sound heard over arteries
C. A gentle blowing/swooshing sound heard directly over the heart
D. Sustained forceful thrusting of the ventricle during systole
CORRECT ANSWER A — Palpable vibratory sensation felt on aspects of 4 fingers; audible with
stethoscope; exaggerated heart murmurs
RATIONALE A thrill is a palpable vibratory sensation that can be felt with the fingers, often
described as a buzzing or vibrating feeling. It is associated with turbulent blood
flow and is often palpable when murmurs are present. Thrills are classified on a
scale of 1-6 and indicate significant valvular or structural heart disease.
