NSG 316 EXAM 3 STUDY GUIDE 2026
HEALTH ASSESSMENT PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
CARDIOVASCULAR AND RESPIRATORY
ASSESSMENT A+ EXAM PREPARATION
-ask pt to repeat phrase while listening over chest wall
-not routinely done, performed if you suspect lung pathology
normal voice transmission is - CORRECT ANSWER-soft, muffled, and
indistinct
pathology that inc lung density enhances - CORRECT ANSWER-
transmission of voice sounds
inspection of anterior chest normal findings - CORRECT ANSWER--ribs
slope down
-costal angle within 90 deg, development of abdom muscles, weight and
athletic cond.
-breathing is effortless
-chest expands symmetrically with inspiration
-no retraction/bulging of interspaces w inspiration
-accessory musc. not used to augment resp effort
,-normal RR
use of accessory muscles and retraction shows - CORRECT ANSWER-
increased inhaling effort and obstruction of resp tract
inspection of anterior chest - CORRECT ANSWER--note
shape/configuration
-note facial expression
-assess LOC
-note skin color/cond
palpation of anterior chest (how to) - CORRECT ANSWER--palpate
symmetric chest expansion
-place hands on anterolateral wall w thumbs along costal margins, pt
toward xiphoid process
-take deep breath, watch thumbs move apart symmetrically
assess tactile fremitus (ant. chest) - CORRECT ANSWER--begin palpating
over lung apices in supraclavicular areas
-compare vibrations from each side as pt says "99"
-avoid palpating over breast tissue (dampens sound)
palpation of anterior chest - CORRECT ANSWER--note tenderness
-detect lumps/masses
-note skin mobility, turgor, temp, and moisture
, -note crepitus
crepitus - CORRECT ANSWER-crackling, crinkling, grating feeling. occurs
in SQ layer with emphysema. palpable around fx clavicle
auscultating breath sounds - CORRECT ANSWER--over ant. chest from
apices in supraclavicular areas down to 6th rib
-go from side-side, moving down
-listen directly over chest wall
-assess voice sounds if needed
measurement of pulmonary function status - CORRECT ANSWER--pulse
ox assesses SpO2
-healthy person usually has SpO2 of 97%-98%
-SpO2 should be evaluated by Hgb level, acid-base balance, and vent status
-6 min walk test
6 minute walk test (6MWT) - CORRECT ANSWER-safer, simple,
inexpensive, clinical measure of functional status in aging adults
chest changes in older adult - CORRECT ANSWER--inc anteropost.
diameter (round barrel shape and kyphosis)
-dec chest expansion (still symmetric)
-tire easily during auscultation (deep breathing)
HEALTH ASSESSMENT PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
CARDIOVASCULAR AND RESPIRATORY
ASSESSMENT A+ EXAM PREPARATION
-ask pt to repeat phrase while listening over chest wall
-not routinely done, performed if you suspect lung pathology
normal voice transmission is - CORRECT ANSWER-soft, muffled, and
indistinct
pathology that inc lung density enhances - CORRECT ANSWER-
transmission of voice sounds
inspection of anterior chest normal findings - CORRECT ANSWER--ribs
slope down
-costal angle within 90 deg, development of abdom muscles, weight and
athletic cond.
-breathing is effortless
-chest expands symmetrically with inspiration
-no retraction/bulging of interspaces w inspiration
-accessory musc. not used to augment resp effort
,-normal RR
use of accessory muscles and retraction shows - CORRECT ANSWER-
increased inhaling effort and obstruction of resp tract
inspection of anterior chest - CORRECT ANSWER--note
shape/configuration
-note facial expression
-assess LOC
-note skin color/cond
palpation of anterior chest (how to) - CORRECT ANSWER--palpate
symmetric chest expansion
-place hands on anterolateral wall w thumbs along costal margins, pt
toward xiphoid process
-take deep breath, watch thumbs move apart symmetrically
assess tactile fremitus (ant. chest) - CORRECT ANSWER--begin palpating
over lung apices in supraclavicular areas
-compare vibrations from each side as pt says "99"
-avoid palpating over breast tissue (dampens sound)
palpation of anterior chest - CORRECT ANSWER--note tenderness
-detect lumps/masses
-note skin mobility, turgor, temp, and moisture
, -note crepitus
crepitus - CORRECT ANSWER-crackling, crinkling, grating feeling. occurs
in SQ layer with emphysema. palpable around fx clavicle
auscultating breath sounds - CORRECT ANSWER--over ant. chest from
apices in supraclavicular areas down to 6th rib
-go from side-side, moving down
-listen directly over chest wall
-assess voice sounds if needed
measurement of pulmonary function status - CORRECT ANSWER--pulse
ox assesses SpO2
-healthy person usually has SpO2 of 97%-98%
-SpO2 should be evaluated by Hgb level, acid-base balance, and vent status
-6 min walk test
6 minute walk test (6MWT) - CORRECT ANSWER-safer, simple,
inexpensive, clinical measure of functional status in aging adults
chest changes in older adult - CORRECT ANSWER--inc anteropost.
diameter (round barrel shape and kyphosis)
-dec chest expansion (still symmetric)
-tire easily during auscultation (deep breathing)
