Grand Canyon University
3 MAXE · 613-GSN
★ ★
GCU College of Nursing & Health Care Professions
NSG 316
FIND YOUR PURPOSE
GCU NSG-316 Exam 3 — Cardiovascular, Respiratory &
Peripheral Vascular
C A R D I AC A SS E SS M E N T, R E S P I RATO RY A SS E SS M E N T, P E R I P H E RA L VA S CU L A R &
PAT H O LO G Y
INSTITUTION Grand Canyon University COURSE CODE NSG-316
PROGRAM Bachelor of Science in Nursing ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE GCU NSG-316 Exam 3 — TOTAL QUESTIONS 100 Questions
Cardiovascular, Respiratory &
Peripheral Vascular
COURSE TITLE Health Assessment & Nursing FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Fundamentals Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question.
▸ Topics include cardiovascular assessment, respiratory assessment, peripheral vascular assessment, and
related pathology.
▸ Correct answers and rationales appear below each question for review purposes.
▸ All content aligns with NSG-316 Exam 3 curriculum competencies.
, SECTION I — CARDIOVASCULAR, RESPIRATORY &
Questions 1 – 100
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR ASSESSMENT
1. What is the apex of the heart?
A. The top of the heart
B. The bottom of the heart that points down and to the left
C. The middle portion of the heart
D. The right side of the heart
CORRECT ANSWER B — The bottom of the heart that points down and to the left
RATIONALE The apex is the bottom of the heart that points down and to the left. It is the
pointed end of the heart, located at the 5th intercostal space at the midclavicular
line. The apex is where the apical pulse is best heard.
2. What is the base of the heart?
A. The bottom of the heart
B. The top of the heart and it is broader
C. The left side of the heart
D. The right side of the heart
CORRECT ANSWER B — The top of the heart and it is broader
RATIONALE The base is the top of the heart and it is broader. It is located at the level of the
2nd intercostal space. The great vessels (aorta, pulmonary artery, superior vena
cava) enter and exit at the base.
,3. What are the AV valves?
A. Valves that separate the ventricles and arteries
B. Valves that separate the atria and ventricles
C. Valves that separate the right and left heart
D. Valves that separate the heart and lungs
CORRECT ANSWER B — Valves that separate the atria and ventricles
RATIONALE The AV (atrioventricular) valves separate the atria and ventricles. They include the
tricuspid valve on the right side and the mitral (bicuspid) valve on the left side.
They open during diastole to allow ventricles to fill with blood and close during
systole to prevent regurgitation.
4. What are the SL valves?
A. Valves that separate the atria and ventricles
B. Valves that separate the ventricles and arteries
C. Valves that separate the right and left atria
D. Valves that separate the heart and lungs
CORRECT ANSWER B — Valves that separate the ventricles and arteries
RATIONALE The SL (semilunar) valves separate the ventricles and arteries. They include the
pulmonic valve on the right side and the aortic valve on the left side. They open
during systole to allow blood to be ejected from the heart.
, 5. What is the formula for cardiac output (CO)?
A. CO = SV × HR
B. CO = BP × HR
C. CO = SV × BP
D. CO = HR × BP
CORRECT ANSWER A — CO = SV × HR
RATIONALE Cardiac output (CO) is calculated as Stroke Volume (SV) multiplied by Heart Rate
(HR). CO represents the amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute and is a
key measure of cardiac function.
6. What occurs during S1?
A. Closure of the SL valves; end of systole
B. Closure of the AV valves; beginning of systole
C. Opening of the AV valves; beginning of diastole
D. Closure of the SL valves; beginning of diastole
CORRECT ANSWER B — Closure of the AV valves; beginning of systole
RATIONALE S1 (the "lub" sound) occurs with the closure of the AV valves (tricuspid and mitral)
at the beginning of systole. It is loudest at the apex of the heart.
7. What occurs during S2?
A. Closure of the AV valves; beginning of systole
B. Closure of the SL valves; end of systole
C. Opening of the SL valves; beginning of systole
D. Closure of the AV valves; end of systole
CORRECT ANSWER B — Closure of the SL valves; end of systole
RATIONALE S2 (the "dub" sound) occurs with the closure of the SL valves (aortic and
pulmonic) at the end of systole. It is loudest at the base of the heart.
3 MAXE · 613-GSN
★ ★
GCU College of Nursing & Health Care Professions
NSG 316
FIND YOUR PURPOSE
GCU NSG-316 Exam 3 — Cardiovascular, Respiratory &
Peripheral Vascular
C A R D I AC A SS E SS M E N T, R E S P I RATO RY A SS E SS M E N T, P E R I P H E RA L VA S CU L A R &
PAT H O LO G Y
INSTITUTION Grand Canyon University COURSE CODE NSG-316
PROGRAM Bachelor of Science in Nursing ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE GCU NSG-316 Exam 3 — TOTAL QUESTIONS 100 Questions
Cardiovascular, Respiratory &
Peripheral Vascular
COURSE TITLE Health Assessment & Nursing FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Fundamentals Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question.
▸ Topics include cardiovascular assessment, respiratory assessment, peripheral vascular assessment, and
related pathology.
▸ Correct answers and rationales appear below each question for review purposes.
▸ All content aligns with NSG-316 Exam 3 curriculum competencies.
, SECTION I — CARDIOVASCULAR, RESPIRATORY &
Questions 1 – 100
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR ASSESSMENT
1. What is the apex of the heart?
A. The top of the heart
B. The bottom of the heart that points down and to the left
C. The middle portion of the heart
D. The right side of the heart
CORRECT ANSWER B — The bottom of the heart that points down and to the left
RATIONALE The apex is the bottom of the heart that points down and to the left. It is the
pointed end of the heart, located at the 5th intercostal space at the midclavicular
line. The apex is where the apical pulse is best heard.
2. What is the base of the heart?
A. The bottom of the heart
B. The top of the heart and it is broader
C. The left side of the heart
D. The right side of the heart
CORRECT ANSWER B — The top of the heart and it is broader
RATIONALE The base is the top of the heart and it is broader. It is located at the level of the
2nd intercostal space. The great vessels (aorta, pulmonary artery, superior vena
cava) enter and exit at the base.
,3. What are the AV valves?
A. Valves that separate the ventricles and arteries
B. Valves that separate the atria and ventricles
C. Valves that separate the right and left heart
D. Valves that separate the heart and lungs
CORRECT ANSWER B — Valves that separate the atria and ventricles
RATIONALE The AV (atrioventricular) valves separate the atria and ventricles. They include the
tricuspid valve on the right side and the mitral (bicuspid) valve on the left side.
They open during diastole to allow ventricles to fill with blood and close during
systole to prevent regurgitation.
4. What are the SL valves?
A. Valves that separate the atria and ventricles
B. Valves that separate the ventricles and arteries
C. Valves that separate the right and left atria
D. Valves that separate the heart and lungs
CORRECT ANSWER B — Valves that separate the ventricles and arteries
RATIONALE The SL (semilunar) valves separate the ventricles and arteries. They include the
pulmonic valve on the right side and the aortic valve on the left side. They open
during systole to allow blood to be ejected from the heart.
, 5. What is the formula for cardiac output (CO)?
A. CO = SV × HR
B. CO = BP × HR
C. CO = SV × BP
D. CO = HR × BP
CORRECT ANSWER A — CO = SV × HR
RATIONALE Cardiac output (CO) is calculated as Stroke Volume (SV) multiplied by Heart Rate
(HR). CO represents the amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute and is a
key measure of cardiac function.
6. What occurs during S1?
A. Closure of the SL valves; end of systole
B. Closure of the AV valves; beginning of systole
C. Opening of the AV valves; beginning of diastole
D. Closure of the SL valves; beginning of diastole
CORRECT ANSWER B — Closure of the AV valves; beginning of systole
RATIONALE S1 (the "lub" sound) occurs with the closure of the AV valves (tricuspid and mitral)
at the beginning of systole. It is loudest at the apex of the heart.
7. What occurs during S2?
A. Closure of the AV valves; beginning of systole
B. Closure of the SL valves; end of systole
C. Opening of the SL valves; beginning of systole
D. Closure of the AV valves; end of systole
CORRECT ANSWER B — Closure of the SL valves; end of systole
RATIONALE S2 (the "dub" sound) occurs with the closure of the SL valves (aortic and
pulmonic) at the end of systole. It is loudest at the base of the heart.
