,NR 304 Exam 1 Health Assessment II | Questions And Answers |
2026/2027 CHAMBERLAIN
1.** A nurse is assessing a client's peripheral vascular system. Which finding
indicates a normal arterial pulse?
A) Pulse amplitude of 1+ bilaterally
B) Pulse amplitude of 2+ bilaterally
C) Pulse amplitude of 0 in one extremity
D) Pulse amplitude of 3+ unilaterally
**Correct Answer:** B) Pulse amplitude of 2+ bilaterally
**Rationale:** A pulse amplitude of 2+ is considered normal, indicating a full,
expected pulse. 1+ is weak or diminished, 0 is absent, and 3+ is bounding.
Pulses should be symmetric bilaterally.
**2.** A client reports calf pain that occurs during walking and resolves with
rest. This finding most strongly suggests:
A) Bilateral pitting edema
B) Venous insufficiency
C) Intermittent claudication
D) Brown discoloration of the lower legs
**Correct Answer:** C) Intermittent claudication
**Rationale:** Intermittent claudication is the hallmark symptom of
peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Pain occurs with walking and is relieved
,with rest due to inadequate arterial blood flow meeting the metabolic
demands of muscles during activity.
**3.** When assessing a client for peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which
assessment finding is most significant?
A) Bilateral pedal edema
B) Intermittent claudication
C) Varicose veins
D) Pitting edema of the ankles
**Correct Answer:** B) Intermittent claudication
**Rationale:** Intermittent claudication is a hallmark symptom of peripheral
arterial disease. Pain occurs with walking and is relieved with rest due to
inadequate arterial blood flow meeting the metabolic demands of muscles
during activity.
**4.** A nurse is palpating the dorsalis pedis pulse. Where is this pulse
located?
A) Behind the medial malleolus
B) On the top of the foot
C) In the popliteal fossa
D) In the groin
**Correct Answer:** B) On the top of the foot
, **Rationale:** The dorsalis pedis pulse is located on the top of the foot
(between the first and second metatarsals). The posterior tibial pulse (A) is
behind the medial malleolus, the popliteal pulse (C) is behind the knee, and
the femoral pulse (D) is in the groin.
**5.** Which pulse is located just behind the medial malleolus?
A) Popliteal
B) Femoral
C) Posterior tibial
D) Dorsalis pedis
**Correct Answer:** C) Posterior tibial
**Rationale:** The posterior tibial pulse is located just behind the medial
malleolus (the bony prominence on the inside of the ankle).
**6.** The nurse is assessing a client's lower extremities and notes the skin
is shiny, hairless, and has a bluish discoloration when the leg is in a
dependent position. These findings are characteristic of:
A) Venous insufficiency
B) Arterial insufficiency
C) Lymphedema
D) Cellulitis
**Correct Answer:** B) Arterial insufficiency
2026/2027 CHAMBERLAIN
1.** A nurse is assessing a client's peripheral vascular system. Which finding
indicates a normal arterial pulse?
A) Pulse amplitude of 1+ bilaterally
B) Pulse amplitude of 2+ bilaterally
C) Pulse amplitude of 0 in one extremity
D) Pulse amplitude of 3+ unilaterally
**Correct Answer:** B) Pulse amplitude of 2+ bilaterally
**Rationale:** A pulse amplitude of 2+ is considered normal, indicating a full,
expected pulse. 1+ is weak or diminished, 0 is absent, and 3+ is bounding.
Pulses should be symmetric bilaterally.
**2.** A client reports calf pain that occurs during walking and resolves with
rest. This finding most strongly suggests:
A) Bilateral pitting edema
B) Venous insufficiency
C) Intermittent claudication
D) Brown discoloration of the lower legs
**Correct Answer:** C) Intermittent claudication
**Rationale:** Intermittent claudication is the hallmark symptom of
peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Pain occurs with walking and is relieved
,with rest due to inadequate arterial blood flow meeting the metabolic
demands of muscles during activity.
**3.** When assessing a client for peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which
assessment finding is most significant?
A) Bilateral pedal edema
B) Intermittent claudication
C) Varicose veins
D) Pitting edema of the ankles
**Correct Answer:** B) Intermittent claudication
**Rationale:** Intermittent claudication is a hallmark symptom of peripheral
arterial disease. Pain occurs with walking and is relieved with rest due to
inadequate arterial blood flow meeting the metabolic demands of muscles
during activity.
**4.** A nurse is palpating the dorsalis pedis pulse. Where is this pulse
located?
A) Behind the medial malleolus
B) On the top of the foot
C) In the popliteal fossa
D) In the groin
**Correct Answer:** B) On the top of the foot
, **Rationale:** The dorsalis pedis pulse is located on the top of the foot
(between the first and second metatarsals). The posterior tibial pulse (A) is
behind the medial malleolus, the popliteal pulse (C) is behind the knee, and
the femoral pulse (D) is in the groin.
**5.** Which pulse is located just behind the medial malleolus?
A) Popliteal
B) Femoral
C) Posterior tibial
D) Dorsalis pedis
**Correct Answer:** C) Posterior tibial
**Rationale:** The posterior tibial pulse is located just behind the medial
malleolus (the bony prominence on the inside of the ankle).
**6.** The nurse is assessing a client's lower extremities and notes the skin
is shiny, hairless, and has a bluish discoloration when the leg is in a
dependent position. These findings are characteristic of:
A) Venous insufficiency
B) Arterial insufficiency
C) Lymphedema
D) Cellulitis
**Correct Answer:** B) Arterial insufficiency
