NSG 3160 ADVANCED NURSING
SCIENCE EXAM 2026/2027 QUESTIONS &
VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026/2027 UPDATE
1. During a cardiac assessment, the nurse notes a low-pitched, mid-diastolic rumble heard
best at the apex with the patient in the left lateral decubitus position. This finding is most
characteristic of which condition?
A. Aortic Regurgitation
B. Pulmonary Hypertension
C. Mitral Stenosis
D. Tricuspid Atresia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Mitral stenosis is typically characterized by a low-pitched
diastolic rumble heard best at the apex using the bell of the stethoscope, especially when
the patient is in the left lateral position.
2. When assessing a patient’s respiratory system, the nurse performs whispered pectoriloquy.
The nurse hears the whispered words clearly through the stethoscope. What does this finding
indicate?
A. Normal lung parenchyma
,B. Pneumothorax
C. Pleural effusion
D. Lung consolidation
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: In whispered pectoriloquy, clear transmission of whispered
words indicates consolidation, such as in pneumonia, because sound travels better through
solid or fluid-filled medium than air.
3. A patient exhibits a positive Babinski sign during a neurological exam. Which of the
following describes the reflex and its clinical significance in an adult?
A. Plantar flexion of the toes; indicates peripheral neuropathy
B. Dorsiflexion of the great toe; indicates upper motor neuron lesion
C. Fanning of the toes; indicates lower motor neuron lesion
D. Dorsiflexion of the great toe; considered a normal finding
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A positive Babinski sign (dorsiflexion of the big toe) in an adult
is abnormal and signifies an upper motor neuron lesion, such as stroke or spinal cord
injury.
4. In the PICO(T) framework for evidence-based practice, what does the ‘C’ represent?
A. Clinical Significance
, B. Control Group
C. Consistency
D. Comparison
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: PICO(T) stands for Population, Intervention, Comparison,
Outcome, and Time. The ‘C’ refers to the comparison intervention or standard of care.
5. A patient presents with sudden, sharp, pleuritic chest pain that is relieved by sitting
forward. The nurse auscultates a high-pitched, scratchy sound at the left sternal border.
Which is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Myocardial Infarction
B. Aortic Dissection
C. Congestive Heart Failure
D. Acute Pericarditis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A pericardial friction rub and chest pain relieved by sitting
forward are classic indicators of acute pericarditis.
6. The nurse is assessing Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal). Which of the following tests is
appropriate for this nerve?
A. Testing visual acuity
SCIENCE EXAM 2026/2027 QUESTIONS &
VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026/2027 UPDATE
1. During a cardiac assessment, the nurse notes a low-pitched, mid-diastolic rumble heard
best at the apex with the patient in the left lateral decubitus position. This finding is most
characteristic of which condition?
A. Aortic Regurgitation
B. Pulmonary Hypertension
C. Mitral Stenosis
D. Tricuspid Atresia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Mitral stenosis is typically characterized by a low-pitched
diastolic rumble heard best at the apex using the bell of the stethoscope, especially when
the patient is in the left lateral position.
2. When assessing a patient’s respiratory system, the nurse performs whispered pectoriloquy.
The nurse hears the whispered words clearly through the stethoscope. What does this finding
indicate?
A. Normal lung parenchyma
,B. Pneumothorax
C. Pleural effusion
D. Lung consolidation
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: In whispered pectoriloquy, clear transmission of whispered
words indicates consolidation, such as in pneumonia, because sound travels better through
solid or fluid-filled medium than air.
3. A patient exhibits a positive Babinski sign during a neurological exam. Which of the
following describes the reflex and its clinical significance in an adult?
A. Plantar flexion of the toes; indicates peripheral neuropathy
B. Dorsiflexion of the great toe; indicates upper motor neuron lesion
C. Fanning of the toes; indicates lower motor neuron lesion
D. Dorsiflexion of the great toe; considered a normal finding
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A positive Babinski sign (dorsiflexion of the big toe) in an adult
is abnormal and signifies an upper motor neuron lesion, such as stroke or spinal cord
injury.
4. In the PICO(T) framework for evidence-based practice, what does the ‘C’ represent?
A. Clinical Significance
, B. Control Group
C. Consistency
D. Comparison
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: PICO(T) stands for Population, Intervention, Comparison,
Outcome, and Time. The ‘C’ refers to the comparison intervention or standard of care.
5. A patient presents with sudden, sharp, pleuritic chest pain that is relieved by sitting
forward. The nurse auscultates a high-pitched, scratchy sound at the left sternal border.
Which is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Myocardial Infarction
B. Aortic Dissection
C. Congestive Heart Failure
D. Acute Pericarditis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A pericardial friction rub and chest pain relieved by sitting
forward are classic indicators of acute pericarditis.
6. The nurse is assessing Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal). Which of the following tests is
appropriate for this nerve?
A. Testing visual acuity
