NSG 3160 Exam 3 - Health Assessment 2026 UPDATE |Galen … 2026 Update • Verified Answers
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NSG 3160 Exam 3 - Health Assessment 2026
UPDATE |Galen College
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,NSG 3160 Exam 3 - Health Assessment 2026 UPDATE |Galen … 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. Where is the best anatomical location to auscultate the aortic valve?
A. Second left intercostal space at the sternal border
B. Fifth left intercostal space at the midclavicular line
C. Second right intercostal space at the sternal border
D. Fourth left intercostal space at the sternal border
Answer: C
Rationale: The aortic area is located at the second right intercostal space at the right sternal border. Exam
questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear
rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based
practice and improves patient outcomes.
2. During a respiratory assessment, the nurse percusses over healthy lung tissue. Which sound
is expected?
A. Dullness
B. Hyperresonance
C. Resonance
D. Tympany
Answer: C
Rationale: Resonance is the low-pitched, clear, hollow sound that predominates in healthy lung tissue in the
adult. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (C) requires understanding
both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to
prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
3. When assessing the abdomen, what is the correct sequence of examination techniques?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
B. Inspection, Percussion, Palpation, Auscultation
C. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
D. Auscultation, Inspection, Percussion, Palpation
Answer: A
Rationale: In abdominal assessment, auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation to avoid
altering bowel sounds with physical manipulation. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the
correct answer (A) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate
patient education.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, NSG 3160 Exam 3 - Health Assessment 2026 UPDATE |Galen … 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. The S1 heart sound is caused by the closure of which valves?
A. Aortic and Pulmonic
B. Mitral and Aortic
C. Mitral and Tricuspid
D. Tricuspid and Pulmonic
Answer: C
Rationale: S1 signals the beginning of systole and is produced by the closure of the atrioventricular (AV)
valves, which are the mitral and tricuspid valves. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the
correct answer (C) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate
patient education.
5. Which grade describes a pulse that is ‘Full and Bounding’?
A. 3+
B. 1+
C. 2+
D. 0
Answer: A
Rationale: On a three-point scale, 3+ is full and bounding, 2+ is normal, 1+ is weak/thready, and 0 is absent.
Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear
rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based
practice and improves patient outcomes.
6. A patient reports pain in their legs that occurs while walking and is relieved by rest. This is a
classic symptom of:
A. Lymphedema
B. Venous stasis
C. Deep vein thrombosis
D. Intermittent claudication
Answer: D
Rationale: Intermittent claudication is a symptom of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) where muscle pain
occurs during exercise and is relieved by rest. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept
from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in
clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NSG 3160 Exam 3 - Health Assessment 2026
UPDATE |Galen College
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,NSG 3160 Exam 3 - Health Assessment 2026 UPDATE |Galen … 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. Where is the best anatomical location to auscultate the aortic valve?
A. Second left intercostal space at the sternal border
B. Fifth left intercostal space at the midclavicular line
C. Second right intercostal space at the sternal border
D. Fourth left intercostal space at the sternal border
Answer: C
Rationale: The aortic area is located at the second right intercostal space at the right sternal border. Exam
questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear
rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based
practice and improves patient outcomes.
2. During a respiratory assessment, the nurse percusses over healthy lung tissue. Which sound
is expected?
A. Dullness
B. Hyperresonance
C. Resonance
D. Tympany
Answer: C
Rationale: Resonance is the low-pitched, clear, hollow sound that predominates in healthy lung tissue in the
adult. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (C) requires understanding
both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to
prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
3. When assessing the abdomen, what is the correct sequence of examination techniques?
A. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
B. Inspection, Percussion, Palpation, Auscultation
C. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
D. Auscultation, Inspection, Percussion, Palpation
Answer: A
Rationale: In abdominal assessment, auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation to avoid
altering bowel sounds with physical manipulation. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the
correct answer (A) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate
patient education.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, NSG 3160 Exam 3 - Health Assessment 2026 UPDATE |Galen … 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. The S1 heart sound is caused by the closure of which valves?
A. Aortic and Pulmonic
B. Mitral and Aortic
C. Mitral and Tricuspid
D. Tricuspid and Pulmonic
Answer: C
Rationale: S1 signals the beginning of systole and is produced by the closure of the atrioventricular (AV)
valves, which are the mitral and tricuspid valves. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the
correct answer (C) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate
patient education.
5. Which grade describes a pulse that is ‘Full and Bounding’?
A. 3+
B. 1+
C. 2+
D. 0
Answer: A
Rationale: On a three-point scale, 3+ is full and bounding, 2+ is normal, 1+ is weak/thready, and 0 is absent.
Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear
rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based
practice and improves patient outcomes.
6. A patient reports pain in their legs that occurs while walking and is relieved by rest. This is a
classic symptom of:
A. Lymphedema
B. Venous stasis
C. Deep vein thrombosis
D. Intermittent claudication
Answer: D
Rationale: Intermittent claudication is a symptom of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) where muscle pain
occurs during exercise and is relieved by rest. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept
from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in
clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3