NSG 316 EXAM 3 UPDATED ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
VERIFIED 2027 EDITION
1. What is the recommended patient position for assessing neck vessels?
The patient can sit or lie at a 30-45° angle.
2. How should a patient be positioned for heart sounds and precordium assessment?
Supine, left lateral, or sitting upright leaning forward.
3. What tools are essential for cardiovascular and peripheral vascular assessment?
Stethoscope (diaphragm & bell), ruler, alcohol wipes.
4. Why is it important to palpate one carotid at a time?
To ensure there is adequate blood flow to the brain
5. What is the normal amplitude for carotid artery palpation?
2+ is considered normal.
6. What are the three places to assess for carotid artery during auscultation?
Angle of jaw, mid-cervical, base of neck
7. What does a bruit indicate during carotid auscultation?
A bruit indicates turbulent blood flow, possibly due to carotid stenosis.
8. What does elevated jugular venous distension (JVD) suggest?
Elevated JVD suggests right-sided heart failure.
9. What is the normal location for the apical impulse (PMI)?
5th intercostal space (ICS), midclavicular line (MCL).
10. What are the five traditional valve areas for auscultation?
Aortic Pulmonic Erb's Point Tricuspid (4th-5th ICS, LSB), Mitral (5th ICS, MCL).
11. Where is the Aortic valve heard during auscultation?
2nd right intercostal space (ICS), right sternal border (RSB)
12. Where is the Pulmonic valve heard during auscultation?
2nd left intercostal space (ICS), left sternal border (LSB)
13. Where is Erb's Point heard during auscultation?
3rd intercostal space (ICS), left sternal border (LSB) (best for S2)
14. Where is the Tricuspid valve heard during auscultation?
4th-5th intercostal space (ICS), left sternal border (LSB)
15. Where is the Mitral valve heard during auscultation?
5th intercostal space (ICS), Mid-clavicular line (MCL) (apex)
16. What is the significance of S3 heart sounds?
S3 is an early diastolic sound (ventricular gallop), can be normal in young adults or indicate volume
overload in older adults
1
, 17. What is the significance of S4 heart sounds?
S4 is a late diastolic sound (atrial gallop), indicating a stiff ventricle.
18. What are some common causes for heart murmurs?
Aortic stenosis, mitral regurgitation, tricuspid regurgitation, etc.
19. What is the grading scale for murmurs?
I-VI (I = faint; VI = heard without stethoscope touching chest)
20. What are some common cardiovascular risks in the older adult?
‘ SBP (arteriosclerosis), ‘ murmurs Peripheral pulses may be harder to locate (esp. dorsalis pedis/posterior
tibial)
21. What is the leading cause of death globally?
Cardiovascular disease (CVD)
22. risk of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is higher in which demographic?
Black Americans
23. What are the indicators for a normal cardiac findings?
S1/S2 distinct, no murmurs, PMI at expected location
24. What are some abnormal indicators in a cardiac assessment?
Murmurs, extra sounds (S3/S4), displaced PMI (LV hypertrophy)
25. What are the different palpation sites in the arms?
Radial (routine), brachial
26. What are the normal palpation sites in the legs?
Femoral, popliteal, posterior tibial, dorsalis pedis
27. What is the grading scale for peripheral pulses?
0 = absent, 1+ = weak/thready, 2+ = normal, 3+ = bounding.
28. What does a thready pulse indicate?
A thready pulse indicates decreased cardiac output.
29. What does a bounding pulse indicate?
Fever, anemia, hyperthyroid
30. What skin changes are associated with arterial issues?
Arterial: Cool, thin, shiny skin; hair loss; ulcers on toes.
31. What skin changes are associated with venous issues?
Venous: Warm skin; edema; brown discoloration; ulcers on ankles.
32. What is the normal capillary refill time?
Less than 2 seconds is considered normal.
33. What does a longer capillary refill time indicate?
hypoperfusion
34. What is the scale for pitting edema?
1+ mild, 4+ very deep
2
VERIFIED 2027 EDITION
1. What is the recommended patient position for assessing neck vessels?
The patient can sit or lie at a 30-45° angle.
2. How should a patient be positioned for heart sounds and precordium assessment?
Supine, left lateral, or sitting upright leaning forward.
3. What tools are essential for cardiovascular and peripheral vascular assessment?
Stethoscope (diaphragm & bell), ruler, alcohol wipes.
4. Why is it important to palpate one carotid at a time?
To ensure there is adequate blood flow to the brain
5. What is the normal amplitude for carotid artery palpation?
2+ is considered normal.
6. What are the three places to assess for carotid artery during auscultation?
Angle of jaw, mid-cervical, base of neck
7. What does a bruit indicate during carotid auscultation?
A bruit indicates turbulent blood flow, possibly due to carotid stenosis.
8. What does elevated jugular venous distension (JVD) suggest?
Elevated JVD suggests right-sided heart failure.
9. What is the normal location for the apical impulse (PMI)?
5th intercostal space (ICS), midclavicular line (MCL).
10. What are the five traditional valve areas for auscultation?
Aortic Pulmonic Erb's Point Tricuspid (4th-5th ICS, LSB), Mitral (5th ICS, MCL).
11. Where is the Aortic valve heard during auscultation?
2nd right intercostal space (ICS), right sternal border (RSB)
12. Where is the Pulmonic valve heard during auscultation?
2nd left intercostal space (ICS), left sternal border (LSB)
13. Where is Erb's Point heard during auscultation?
3rd intercostal space (ICS), left sternal border (LSB) (best for S2)
14. Where is the Tricuspid valve heard during auscultation?
4th-5th intercostal space (ICS), left sternal border (LSB)
15. Where is the Mitral valve heard during auscultation?
5th intercostal space (ICS), Mid-clavicular line (MCL) (apex)
16. What is the significance of S3 heart sounds?
S3 is an early diastolic sound (ventricular gallop), can be normal in young adults or indicate volume
overload in older adults
1
, 17. What is the significance of S4 heart sounds?
S4 is a late diastolic sound (atrial gallop), indicating a stiff ventricle.
18. What are some common causes for heart murmurs?
Aortic stenosis, mitral regurgitation, tricuspid regurgitation, etc.
19. What is the grading scale for murmurs?
I-VI (I = faint; VI = heard without stethoscope touching chest)
20. What are some common cardiovascular risks in the older adult?
‘ SBP (arteriosclerosis), ‘ murmurs Peripheral pulses may be harder to locate (esp. dorsalis pedis/posterior
tibial)
21. What is the leading cause of death globally?
Cardiovascular disease (CVD)
22. risk of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is higher in which demographic?
Black Americans
23. What are the indicators for a normal cardiac findings?
S1/S2 distinct, no murmurs, PMI at expected location
24. What are some abnormal indicators in a cardiac assessment?
Murmurs, extra sounds (S3/S4), displaced PMI (LV hypertrophy)
25. What are the different palpation sites in the arms?
Radial (routine), brachial
26. What are the normal palpation sites in the legs?
Femoral, popliteal, posterior tibial, dorsalis pedis
27. What is the grading scale for peripheral pulses?
0 = absent, 1+ = weak/thready, 2+ = normal, 3+ = bounding.
28. What does a thready pulse indicate?
A thready pulse indicates decreased cardiac output.
29. What does a bounding pulse indicate?
Fever, anemia, hyperthyroid
30. What skin changes are associated with arterial issues?
Arterial: Cool, thin, shiny skin; hair loss; ulcers on toes.
31. What skin changes are associated with venous issues?
Venous: Warm skin; edema; brown discoloration; ulcers on ankles.
32. What is the normal capillary refill time?
Less than 2 seconds is considered normal.
33. What does a longer capillary refill time indicate?
hypoperfusion
34. What is the scale for pitting edema?
1+ mild, 4+ very deep
2
