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
H E A LT H A SS E SS M E N T — R E S P I RATO RY & C A R D I OVA S CU L A R
INSTITUTION Grand Canyon University COURSE CODE NSG-316
PROGRAM Bachelor of Science in Nursing ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE NSG-316 Exam 3 TOTAL QUESTIONS 87 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.
▸ Respiratory assessment, cardiovascular assessment, breath sounds, and heart sounds 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 — RESPIRATORY & CARDIOVASCULAR
Questions 1 – 87
ASSESSMENT
1. What heart valves close with S2?
A. Aortic and Pulmonic
B. Mitral and Tricuspid
C. Aortic and Mitral
D. Pulmonic and Tricuspid
CORRECT ANSWER A — Aortic and Pulmonic
RATIONALE The S2 heart sound ("dub") is caused by the closure of the aortic and pulmonic
valves. These are the semilunar valves that close at the beginning of ventricular
diastole. S1 ("lub") is caused by closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves.
2. What is the difference between the right and left lungs?
A. Left lung = 2 lobes, narrower; Right lung = 3 lobes, shorter
B. Left lung = 3 lobes, narrower; Right lung = 2 lobes, shorter
C. Both lungs have 3 lobes
D. Both lungs have 2 lobes
CORRECT ANSWER A — Left lung = 2 lobes, narrower; Right lung = 3 lobes, shorter
RATIONALE The left lung has 2 lobes and is narrower than the right lung because the heart
bulges to the left. The right lung has 3 lobes but is shorter than the left lung due to
the liver occupying space below the right lung.
,3. What are the signs and symptoms of angina pectoris?
A. Chest pain (pressure, squeezing, burning, fullness), pain in arm/neck/jaw/shoulder/back,
nausea, fatigue, SOB, sweating, dizziness
B. Only chest pain
C. Only SOB and sweating
D. Only fatigue and dizziness
CORRECT ANSWER A — Chest pain (pressure, squeezing, burning, fullness), pain in
arm/neck/jaw/shoulder/back, nausea, fatigue, SOB, sweating, dizziness
RATIONALE Angina pectoris signs and symptoms include chest pain (described as pressure,
squeezing, burning, or fullness), pain radiating to the arm, neck, jaw, shoulder, or
back, nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, sweating, and dizziness. These
symptoms indicate myocardial ischemia.
4. What is the normal lung finding in a healthy adult?
A. Vesicular breath sounds over peripheral fields of the lungs
B. Bronchial breath sounds over peripheral fields
C. Bronchovesicular breath sounds over peripheral fields
D. Adventitious sounds over all lung fields
CORRECT ANSWER A — Vesicular breath sounds over peripheral fields of the lungs
RATIONALE In a normal healthy adult, vesicular breath sounds are heard over the peripheral
fields of the lungs. These are soft, low-pitched sounds with inspiration longer
than expiration. Vesicular sounds are considered normal lung sounds.
, 5. What are crackles (rales)?
A. Discontinuous popping sounds heard over inspiration
B. Continuous musical sounds heard mainly over expiration
C. Low-pitched wheezing sounds
D. Grating sounds heard over inspiration and expiration
CORRECT ANSWER A — Discontinuous popping sounds heard over inspiration
RATIONALE Crackles (rales) are discontinuous popping sounds heard over inspiration. They
are caused by the sudden opening of airways or the movement of fluid in the
alveoli. Crackles can be fine or coarse and are associated with conditions such as
pneumonia and heart failure.
6. What does 3+ edema indicate?
A. Deep pitting, indentation remains, leg looks swollen
B. Mild pitting, slight indentation, no perceptible swelling
C. Moderate pitting, indentation subsides rapidly
D. Very deep pitting, indentation lasts a long time, leg very swollen
CORRECT ANSWER A — Deep pitting, indentation remains, leg looks swollen
RATIONALE 3+ edema indicates deep pitting where the indentation remains and the leg looks
swollen. Edema is graded on a scale of 1+ to 4+, with 4+ being the most severe. 1+
is mild pitting, 2+ is moderate, 3+ is deep, and 4+ is very deep pitting.
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
H E A LT H A SS E SS M E N T — R E S P I RATO RY & C A R D I OVA S CU L A R
INSTITUTION Grand Canyon University COURSE CODE NSG-316
PROGRAM Bachelor of Science in Nursing ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE NSG-316 Exam 3 TOTAL QUESTIONS 87 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.
▸ Respiratory assessment, cardiovascular assessment, breath sounds, and heart sounds 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 — RESPIRATORY & CARDIOVASCULAR
Questions 1 – 87
ASSESSMENT
1. What heart valves close with S2?
A. Aortic and Pulmonic
B. Mitral and Tricuspid
C. Aortic and Mitral
D. Pulmonic and Tricuspid
CORRECT ANSWER A — Aortic and Pulmonic
RATIONALE The S2 heart sound ("dub") is caused by the closure of the aortic and pulmonic
valves. These are the semilunar valves that close at the beginning of ventricular
diastole. S1 ("lub") is caused by closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves.
2. What is the difference between the right and left lungs?
A. Left lung = 2 lobes, narrower; Right lung = 3 lobes, shorter
B. Left lung = 3 lobes, narrower; Right lung = 2 lobes, shorter
C. Both lungs have 3 lobes
D. Both lungs have 2 lobes
CORRECT ANSWER A — Left lung = 2 lobes, narrower; Right lung = 3 lobes, shorter
RATIONALE The left lung has 2 lobes and is narrower than the right lung because the heart
bulges to the left. The right lung has 3 lobes but is shorter than the left lung due to
the liver occupying space below the right lung.
,3. What are the signs and symptoms of angina pectoris?
A. Chest pain (pressure, squeezing, burning, fullness), pain in arm/neck/jaw/shoulder/back,
nausea, fatigue, SOB, sweating, dizziness
B. Only chest pain
C. Only SOB and sweating
D. Only fatigue and dizziness
CORRECT ANSWER A — Chest pain (pressure, squeezing, burning, fullness), pain in
arm/neck/jaw/shoulder/back, nausea, fatigue, SOB, sweating, dizziness
RATIONALE Angina pectoris signs and symptoms include chest pain (described as pressure,
squeezing, burning, or fullness), pain radiating to the arm, neck, jaw, shoulder, or
back, nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, sweating, and dizziness. These
symptoms indicate myocardial ischemia.
4. What is the normal lung finding in a healthy adult?
A. Vesicular breath sounds over peripheral fields of the lungs
B. Bronchial breath sounds over peripheral fields
C. Bronchovesicular breath sounds over peripheral fields
D. Adventitious sounds over all lung fields
CORRECT ANSWER A — Vesicular breath sounds over peripheral fields of the lungs
RATIONALE In a normal healthy adult, vesicular breath sounds are heard over the peripheral
fields of the lungs. These are soft, low-pitched sounds with inspiration longer
than expiration. Vesicular sounds are considered normal lung sounds.
, 5. What are crackles (rales)?
A. Discontinuous popping sounds heard over inspiration
B. Continuous musical sounds heard mainly over expiration
C. Low-pitched wheezing sounds
D. Grating sounds heard over inspiration and expiration
CORRECT ANSWER A — Discontinuous popping sounds heard over inspiration
RATIONALE Crackles (rales) are discontinuous popping sounds heard over inspiration. They
are caused by the sudden opening of airways or the movement of fluid in the
alveoli. Crackles can be fine or coarse and are associated with conditions such as
pneumonia and heart failure.
6. What does 3+ edema indicate?
A. Deep pitting, indentation remains, leg looks swollen
B. Mild pitting, slight indentation, no perceptible swelling
C. Moderate pitting, indentation subsides rapidly
D. Very deep pitting, indentation lasts a long time, leg very swollen
CORRECT ANSWER A — Deep pitting, indentation remains, leg looks swollen
RATIONALE 3+ edema indicates deep pitting where the indentation remains and the leg looks
swollen. Edema is graded on a scale of 1+ to 4+, with 4+ being the most severe. 1+
is mild pitting, 2+ is moderate, 3+ is deep, and 4+ is very deep pitting.
