Grand Canyon University
3 MAXE · 613 GSN
College of Nursing
GCU
EST. 1949
FIND YOUR PURPOSE
NSG-316 Exam 3 — Grand Canyon University
C A R D I OVA S CU L A R , P E R I P H E RA L VA S CU L A R & R E S P I RATO RY 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 — Grand Canyon TOTAL QUESTIONS 153 Questions
University
COURSE TITLE Health Assessment Across the FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Lifespan Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question unless otherwise instructed.
▸ Cardiovascular and respiratory anatomy, heart sounds, murmurs, and assessment techniques are all
testable content.
▸ Peripheral vascular assessment, age-related changes, and murmurs are emphasized.
▸ Correct answers and rationales appear below each question for review purposes.
▸ All content reflects the NSG-316 Health Assessment curriculum.
, SECTION I — CARDIOVASCULAR, PERIPHERAL
Questions 1 – 153
VASCULAR & RESPIRATORY ASSESSMENT
1. How many chambers does the heart have?
A. Four chambers
B. Two chambers
C. Three chambers
D. Six chambers
CORRECT ANSWER A — Four chambers
RATIONALE The heart consists of four chambers: two atria and two ventricles. The chambers
are separated by valves that prevent backflow of blood.
2. What are the three layers of the heart?
A. Endocardium, Myocardium, Epicardium
B. Pericardium, Endocardium, Myocardium
C. Epicardium, Pericardium, Endocardium
D. Myocardium, Epicardium, Pericardium
CORRECT ANSWER A — Endocardium, Myocardium, Epicardium
RATIONALE The three layers of the heart are the endocardium (inner layer), myocardium
(middle muscle layer), and epicardium (outer layer). The pericardium is the sac
that surrounds the heart.
,3. The left ventricle wall is ____ to ____ times thicker than the right.
A. 2 to 3
B. 3 to 4
C. 1 to 2
D. 4 to 5
CORRECT ANSWER A — 2 to 3
RATIONALE The left ventricle wall is 2 to 3 times thicker than the right ventricle. This is
because the left ventricle must pump blood against the higher pressure of
systemic circulation.
4. What is the right-sided blood flow pathway?
A. Superior vena cava → RA → tricuspid → RV → pulmonic → pulmonary artery → lungs
B. Pulmonary veins → LA → mitral → LV → aortic → systemic circulation
C. RA → pulmonary → RV → tricuspid → lungs
D. LA → tricuspid → LV → pulmonic → systemic
CORRECT ANSWER A — Superior vena cava → RA → tricuspid → RV → pulmonic → pulmonary
artery → lungs
RATIONALE Right-sided blood flow carries unoxygenated blood from the superior and inferior
vena cava to the right atrium, through the tricuspid valve to the right ventricle,
through the pulmonic valve to the pulmonary artery, and to the lungs.
, 5. What is the left-sided blood flow pathway?
A. Pulmonary veins → LA → mitral → LV → aortic → systemic circulation
B. Superior vena cava → RA → tricuspid → RV → pulmonic → pulmonary artery → lungs
C. LA → tricuspid → LV → pulmonic → systemic
D. Lungs → RA → LV → systemic
CORRECT ANSWER A — Pulmonary veins → LA → mitral → LV → aortic → systemic circulation
RATIONALE Left-sided blood flow carries oxygenated blood from the pulmonary veins to the
left atrium, through the mitral valve to the left ventricle, through the aortic valve,
and to systemic circulation.
6. What is the main purpose of heart valves?
A. To prevent backflow of blood
B. To increase blood flow
C. To regulate heart rate
D. To maintain blood pressure
CORRECT ANSWER A — To prevent backflow of blood
RATIONALE The main purpose of heart valves is to prevent backflow of blood. Valves open
and close passively in response to pressure gradients and are unidirectional.
7. What are the two types of valves in the heart?
A. Atrioventricular (AV) and semilunar (SL) valves
B. Mitral and tricuspid valves
C. Aortic and pulmonic valves
D. Bicuspid and tricuspid valves
CORRECT ANSWER A — Atrioventricular (AV) and semilunar (SL) valves
RATIONALE The four valves in the heart are divided into two types: two atrioventricular (AV)
valves (tricuspid and mitral) and two semilunar (SL) valves (pulmonic and aortic).
3 MAXE · 613 GSN
College of Nursing
GCU
EST. 1949
FIND YOUR PURPOSE
NSG-316 Exam 3 — Grand Canyon University
C A R D I OVA S CU L A R , P E R I P H E RA L VA S CU L A R & R E S P I RATO RY 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 — Grand Canyon TOTAL QUESTIONS 153 Questions
University
COURSE TITLE Health Assessment Across the FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Lifespan Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question unless otherwise instructed.
▸ Cardiovascular and respiratory anatomy, heart sounds, murmurs, and assessment techniques are all
testable content.
▸ Peripheral vascular assessment, age-related changes, and murmurs are emphasized.
▸ Correct answers and rationales appear below each question for review purposes.
▸ All content reflects the NSG-316 Health Assessment curriculum.
, SECTION I — CARDIOVASCULAR, PERIPHERAL
Questions 1 – 153
VASCULAR & RESPIRATORY ASSESSMENT
1. How many chambers does the heart have?
A. Four chambers
B. Two chambers
C. Three chambers
D. Six chambers
CORRECT ANSWER A — Four chambers
RATIONALE The heart consists of four chambers: two atria and two ventricles. The chambers
are separated by valves that prevent backflow of blood.
2. What are the three layers of the heart?
A. Endocardium, Myocardium, Epicardium
B. Pericardium, Endocardium, Myocardium
C. Epicardium, Pericardium, Endocardium
D. Myocardium, Epicardium, Pericardium
CORRECT ANSWER A — Endocardium, Myocardium, Epicardium
RATIONALE The three layers of the heart are the endocardium (inner layer), myocardium
(middle muscle layer), and epicardium (outer layer). The pericardium is the sac
that surrounds the heart.
,3. The left ventricle wall is ____ to ____ times thicker than the right.
A. 2 to 3
B. 3 to 4
C. 1 to 2
D. 4 to 5
CORRECT ANSWER A — 2 to 3
RATIONALE The left ventricle wall is 2 to 3 times thicker than the right ventricle. This is
because the left ventricle must pump blood against the higher pressure of
systemic circulation.
4. What is the right-sided blood flow pathway?
A. Superior vena cava → RA → tricuspid → RV → pulmonic → pulmonary artery → lungs
B. Pulmonary veins → LA → mitral → LV → aortic → systemic circulation
C. RA → pulmonary → RV → tricuspid → lungs
D. LA → tricuspid → LV → pulmonic → systemic
CORRECT ANSWER A — Superior vena cava → RA → tricuspid → RV → pulmonic → pulmonary
artery → lungs
RATIONALE Right-sided blood flow carries unoxygenated blood from the superior and inferior
vena cava to the right atrium, through the tricuspid valve to the right ventricle,
through the pulmonic valve to the pulmonary artery, and to the lungs.
, 5. What is the left-sided blood flow pathway?
A. Pulmonary veins → LA → mitral → LV → aortic → systemic circulation
B. Superior vena cava → RA → tricuspid → RV → pulmonic → pulmonary artery → lungs
C. LA → tricuspid → LV → pulmonic → systemic
D. Lungs → RA → LV → systemic
CORRECT ANSWER A — Pulmonary veins → LA → mitral → LV → aortic → systemic circulation
RATIONALE Left-sided blood flow carries oxygenated blood from the pulmonary veins to the
left atrium, through the mitral valve to the left ventricle, through the aortic valve,
and to systemic circulation.
6. What is the main purpose of heart valves?
A. To prevent backflow of blood
B. To increase blood flow
C. To regulate heart rate
D. To maintain blood pressure
CORRECT ANSWER A — To prevent backflow of blood
RATIONALE The main purpose of heart valves is to prevent backflow of blood. Valves open
and close passively in response to pressure gradients and are unidirectional.
7. What are the two types of valves in the heart?
A. Atrioventricular (AV) and semilunar (SL) valves
B. Mitral and tricuspid valves
C. Aortic and pulmonic valves
D. Bicuspid and tricuspid valves
CORRECT ANSWER A — Atrioventricular (AV) and semilunar (SL) valves
RATIONALE The four valves in the heart are divided into two types: two atrioventricular (AV)
valves (tricuspid and mitral) and two semilunar (SL) valves (pulmonic and aortic).
