NURS 612 EXAM 3 MARYVILLE
NURS 612 Exam 3 – Maryville University
Advanced Health Assessment | 2025/2026
Updated Actual Exam | 350 Verified
Questions, Correct Answers & Full
Rationales | A+ Graded Study Pack
The spread of the impulse through the ventricles (ventricular depolarization) is depicted on the ECG
as the:
A. P wave.
B. QRS complex.
C. PR interval.
D. T wave.
ANS: B
The QRS complex is the spread of a stimulus through the ventricles and is measured as less than 0.10
second. The P wave is the spread of a stimulus through the atria. The PR interval is the time from the
initial stimulation of the atria to initiation of stimulation of the ventricles. The T wave is the return of
stimulated ventricular muscle to a resting state.
In the fetus, the right ventricle pumps blood through the:
A. left atrium.
B. ductus arteriosus.
C. lungs.
D. foramen ovale.
ANS: B
The right ventricle of a fetal heart pumps blood through the patent ductus arteriosus rather than
into the lungs, not through the left atrium, lungs, or foramen ovale.
In what age-group are the right and left ventricles equal in weight and muscle mass?
A. Newborns
B. School-age children
A+ TEST BANK 1
, NURS 612 EXAM 3 MARYVILLE
C. Adolescents
D. Older adults
ANS: A
At the time of birth, the right and left ventricles are equal in weight and muscle mass because they
both pump blood into the systemic circulation. Within 24 to 48 hours, closure of the ductus
arteriosus and the interatrial foramen ovale causes pressure in the left atrium to increase. At this
time, the right ventricles demand changes as the pulmonary circulation develops, and the left
ventricle assumes total responsibility for providing systemic circulation. This results in an increase in
the mass of the left ventricle. In older adults, the left ventricle wall thickens and the valves become
fibrotic and calcified. The right and left ventricles are not equal in weight and muscle mass in school-
age children, adolescents, or older adults.
Closure of the ductus arteriosus usually occurs:
A. 24 to 48 hours after birth.
B. after 7 days of life.
C. between the second and third month.
D. during the toddler period.
ANS: A
Closure of the ductus arteriosus usually occurs within 24 to 48 hours after birth.
The apex of a 2-month-old baby's heart typically lies closest to the:
A. fourth left intercostal space.
B. midsternal area.
C. midthoracic spinal area.
D. sixth left intercostal space.
ANS: A
In infants and young children, the heart lies more horizontally in the chest. The apex of the heart is
located higher, sometimes well out into the fourth left intercostal space.
Normal cardiac changes that occur during pregnancy include:
A. decreased cardiac output.
B. increased thickness and mass of the left ventricle.
C. decreased heart rate.
D. dilation of the ventricles.
ANS: B
The maternal blood volume increases by 40% to 50% due to an increase in plasma volume. The heart
works harder to accommodate the increased heart rate and stroke volume (both equal cardiac
A+ TEST BANK 2
, NURS 612 EXAM 3 MARYVILLE
output), thereby resulting in the increase in left ventricle wall thickness and mass. The blood volume
returns to prepregnancy levels within 3 to 4 weeks after delivery. As the uterus enlarges and the
diaphragm moves upward, the heart is shifted horizontally and there is a slight axis rotation.
Which ECG change would not be expected as an age-related pattern?
A. First-degree block
B. Bundle branch block
C. Left ventricular hypertrophy
D. Ventricular fibrillation
ANS: D
Common ECG changes in older adults include first-degree atrioventricular block, bundle branch
blocks, ST-T wave abnormalities, premature systole (atrial and ventricular), left anterior hemiblock,
left ventricular hypertrophy, and atrial fibrillation.
Mr. O., age 50, comes for his yearly health assessment, which is provided by his employer. During
your initial history-taking interview, Mr. O. mentions that he routinely engages in light exercise. At
this time, you should:
A. ask if he makes his own bed daily.
B. have the patient describe his exercise.
C. make a note that he walks each day.
D. record "light exercise" in the history.
ANS: B
When Mr. O. says he engages in light exercise, have him describe his exercise. To qualify his use of
the term "light," ask him the type, length of time, frequency, and intensity of his activities.
Pleural pain differs from chest discomfort caused by other conditions in that it is:
A. precipitated by coughing.
B. eased with deep breathing.
C. usually described as dull in nature.
D. related to time of day.
ANS: A
Pleural pain is precipitated by breathing and coughing and is usually described as a sharp pain that is
present during respirations and absent during breath-holding.
A+ TEST BANK 3
, NURS 612 EXAM 3 MARYVILLE
Which of the following information belongs in the past medical history section related to heart and
blood vessel assessment?
A. Adolescent inguinal hernia
B. Childhood mumps
C. History of bee stings
D. Previous unexplained fever
ANS: D
Previous unexplained fever should be included in the past medical history of a heart and blood vessel
assessment. This incidence may be related to acute rheumatic fever, with potential heart valve
damage.
A patient you are seeing in the emergency department for chest pain is believed to be having a
myocardial infarction. During the health history interview of his family history, he relates that his
father had died of "heart trouble." The most important follow-up question you should pose is which
of the following?
A. "Did your father have coronary bypass surgery?"
B. "Did your father's father have heart trouble also?"
C. "What were your father's usual dietary habits?"
D. "What age was your father at the time of his death?"
ANS: D
A family history of sudden death, particularly in young and middle-aged relatives, significantly
increases one's chance of a similar occurrence.
Which one of the following is a common symptom of cardiovascular disorders in the older adult?
A. Fatigue
B. Joint pain
C. Poor night vision
D. Weight gain
ANS: A
Common symptoms of cardiovascular disorders in older adults include confusion, dizziness,
blackouts, syncope, palpitations, coughs and wheezes, hemoptysis, shortness of breath, chest pains
or tightness, impotence, fatigue, and leg edema.
In the adult, the apical impulse should be most visible when the patient is in what position?
A. Supine
A+ TEST BANK 4
NURS 612 Exam 3 – Maryville University
Advanced Health Assessment | 2025/2026
Updated Actual Exam | 350 Verified
Questions, Correct Answers & Full
Rationales | A+ Graded Study Pack
The spread of the impulse through the ventricles (ventricular depolarization) is depicted on the ECG
as the:
A. P wave.
B. QRS complex.
C. PR interval.
D. T wave.
ANS: B
The QRS complex is the spread of a stimulus through the ventricles and is measured as less than 0.10
second. The P wave is the spread of a stimulus through the atria. The PR interval is the time from the
initial stimulation of the atria to initiation of stimulation of the ventricles. The T wave is the return of
stimulated ventricular muscle to a resting state.
In the fetus, the right ventricle pumps blood through the:
A. left atrium.
B. ductus arteriosus.
C. lungs.
D. foramen ovale.
ANS: B
The right ventricle of a fetal heart pumps blood through the patent ductus arteriosus rather than
into the lungs, not through the left atrium, lungs, or foramen ovale.
In what age-group are the right and left ventricles equal in weight and muscle mass?
A. Newborns
B. School-age children
A+ TEST BANK 1
, NURS 612 EXAM 3 MARYVILLE
C. Adolescents
D. Older adults
ANS: A
At the time of birth, the right and left ventricles are equal in weight and muscle mass because they
both pump blood into the systemic circulation. Within 24 to 48 hours, closure of the ductus
arteriosus and the interatrial foramen ovale causes pressure in the left atrium to increase. At this
time, the right ventricles demand changes as the pulmonary circulation develops, and the left
ventricle assumes total responsibility for providing systemic circulation. This results in an increase in
the mass of the left ventricle. In older adults, the left ventricle wall thickens and the valves become
fibrotic and calcified. The right and left ventricles are not equal in weight and muscle mass in school-
age children, adolescents, or older adults.
Closure of the ductus arteriosus usually occurs:
A. 24 to 48 hours after birth.
B. after 7 days of life.
C. between the second and third month.
D. during the toddler period.
ANS: A
Closure of the ductus arteriosus usually occurs within 24 to 48 hours after birth.
The apex of a 2-month-old baby's heart typically lies closest to the:
A. fourth left intercostal space.
B. midsternal area.
C. midthoracic spinal area.
D. sixth left intercostal space.
ANS: A
In infants and young children, the heart lies more horizontally in the chest. The apex of the heart is
located higher, sometimes well out into the fourth left intercostal space.
Normal cardiac changes that occur during pregnancy include:
A. decreased cardiac output.
B. increased thickness and mass of the left ventricle.
C. decreased heart rate.
D. dilation of the ventricles.
ANS: B
The maternal blood volume increases by 40% to 50% due to an increase in plasma volume. The heart
works harder to accommodate the increased heart rate and stroke volume (both equal cardiac
A+ TEST BANK 2
, NURS 612 EXAM 3 MARYVILLE
output), thereby resulting in the increase in left ventricle wall thickness and mass. The blood volume
returns to prepregnancy levels within 3 to 4 weeks after delivery. As the uterus enlarges and the
diaphragm moves upward, the heart is shifted horizontally and there is a slight axis rotation.
Which ECG change would not be expected as an age-related pattern?
A. First-degree block
B. Bundle branch block
C. Left ventricular hypertrophy
D. Ventricular fibrillation
ANS: D
Common ECG changes in older adults include first-degree atrioventricular block, bundle branch
blocks, ST-T wave abnormalities, premature systole (atrial and ventricular), left anterior hemiblock,
left ventricular hypertrophy, and atrial fibrillation.
Mr. O., age 50, comes for his yearly health assessment, which is provided by his employer. During
your initial history-taking interview, Mr. O. mentions that he routinely engages in light exercise. At
this time, you should:
A. ask if he makes his own bed daily.
B. have the patient describe his exercise.
C. make a note that he walks each day.
D. record "light exercise" in the history.
ANS: B
When Mr. O. says he engages in light exercise, have him describe his exercise. To qualify his use of
the term "light," ask him the type, length of time, frequency, and intensity of his activities.
Pleural pain differs from chest discomfort caused by other conditions in that it is:
A. precipitated by coughing.
B. eased with deep breathing.
C. usually described as dull in nature.
D. related to time of day.
ANS: A
Pleural pain is precipitated by breathing and coughing and is usually described as a sharp pain that is
present during respirations and absent during breath-holding.
A+ TEST BANK 3
, NURS 612 EXAM 3 MARYVILLE
Which of the following information belongs in the past medical history section related to heart and
blood vessel assessment?
A. Adolescent inguinal hernia
B. Childhood mumps
C. History of bee stings
D. Previous unexplained fever
ANS: D
Previous unexplained fever should be included in the past medical history of a heart and blood vessel
assessment. This incidence may be related to acute rheumatic fever, with potential heart valve
damage.
A patient you are seeing in the emergency department for chest pain is believed to be having a
myocardial infarction. During the health history interview of his family history, he relates that his
father had died of "heart trouble." The most important follow-up question you should pose is which
of the following?
A. "Did your father have coronary bypass surgery?"
B. "Did your father's father have heart trouble also?"
C. "What were your father's usual dietary habits?"
D. "What age was your father at the time of his death?"
ANS: D
A family history of sudden death, particularly in young and middle-aged relatives, significantly
increases one's chance of a similar occurrence.
Which one of the following is a common symptom of cardiovascular disorders in the older adult?
A. Fatigue
B. Joint pain
C. Poor night vision
D. Weight gain
ANS: A
Common symptoms of cardiovascular disorders in older adults include confusion, dizziness,
blackouts, syncope, palpitations, coughs and wheezes, hemoptysis, shortness of breath, chest pains
or tightness, impotence, fatigue, and leg edema.
In the adult, the apical impulse should be most visible when the patient is in what position?
A. Supine
A+ TEST BANK 4
