,Galen NSG 3160 Exam 3 | Health Assessment
(2026) Actual Q&A PDF
1. Where is the aortic valve best auscultated?
A) 2nd intercostal space, right sternal margin
B) 2nd intercostal space, left sternal border
C) 4th intercostal space, left sternal border
D) 5th intercostal space, midclavicular line
Correct Answer: 2nd intercostal space, right sternal margin
Rationale: The aortic valve is heard at the 2nd ICS, right sternal margin. The
pulmonic valve is at the 2nd ICS left sternal border; tricuspid at 4th left sternal
border; mitral at 5th ICS midclavicular line.
2. The nurse is auscultating heart sounds. S1 is best heard at which location?
A) 2nd intercostal space, right sternal border
B) Apex of the heart (5th intercostal space, midclavicular line)
C) 2nd intercostal space, left sternal border
D) 4th intercostal space, left sternal border
Correct Answer: Apex of the heart (5th intercostal space, midclavicular line)
Rationale: S1, produced by closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves, is loudest
at the apex. S2 is best heard at the base.
,3. Which clinical finding is most consistent with a carotid bruit?
A) A high‑pitched musical sound over the carotid artery
B) A low‑pitched rumbling sound over the carotid artery
C) A blowing, swishing sound heard over the carotid artery
D) A grating sound heard over the carotid artery
Correct Answer: A blowing, swishing sound heard over the carotid artery
Rationale: A carotid bruit is a blowing/swishing sound caused by turbulent
blood flow, suggesting atherosclerosis. A thrill is a palpable vibration.
4. A patient reports sudden, sharp chest pain that is relieved by sitting forward
and leaning slightly forward. The nurse auscultates a friction rub. Which
condition is most likely?
A) Myocardial infarction
B) Pulmonary embolism
C) Costochondritis
D) Pericarditis
Correct Answer: Pericarditis
Rationale: Pericarditis causes sharp, pleuritic chest pain that improves when
sitting forward, and a pericardial friction rub may be heard. MI pain is not
typically relieved by position.
, 5. The nurse palpates a carotid artery and feels a thrill. What is the most
appropriate next action?
A) Auscultate for a bruit
B) Document the finding as normal
C) Apply gentle pressure to assess for tenderness
D) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
Correct Answer: Auscultate for a bruit
Rationale: A thrill (palpable vibration) indicates turbulent blood flow; the nurse
should auscultate for a bruit to further evaluate possible vascular stenosis.
6. When assessing for a pulse deficit, which technique is correct?
A) Palpate the radial pulse while auscultating the apical pulse
B) Palpate the carotid pulse while auscultating the radial pulse
C) Compare bilateral radial pulses simultaneously
D) Auscultate the apical pulse for one full minute only
Correct Answer: Palpate the radial pulse while auscultating the apical pulse
Rationale: Pulse deficit = apical rate minus radial rate, assessed by two nurses or
one nurse palpating the radial pulse while auscultating the apical pulse
simultaneously. It may indicate atrial fibrillation.
7. The nurse notes that a patient’s capillary refill takes 4 seconds. Which factor
may contribute to this finding?
(2026) Actual Q&A PDF
1. Where is the aortic valve best auscultated?
A) 2nd intercostal space, right sternal margin
B) 2nd intercostal space, left sternal border
C) 4th intercostal space, left sternal border
D) 5th intercostal space, midclavicular line
Correct Answer: 2nd intercostal space, right sternal margin
Rationale: The aortic valve is heard at the 2nd ICS, right sternal margin. The
pulmonic valve is at the 2nd ICS left sternal border; tricuspid at 4th left sternal
border; mitral at 5th ICS midclavicular line.
2. The nurse is auscultating heart sounds. S1 is best heard at which location?
A) 2nd intercostal space, right sternal border
B) Apex of the heart (5th intercostal space, midclavicular line)
C) 2nd intercostal space, left sternal border
D) 4th intercostal space, left sternal border
Correct Answer: Apex of the heart (5th intercostal space, midclavicular line)
Rationale: S1, produced by closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves, is loudest
at the apex. S2 is best heard at the base.
,3. Which clinical finding is most consistent with a carotid bruit?
A) A high‑pitched musical sound over the carotid artery
B) A low‑pitched rumbling sound over the carotid artery
C) A blowing, swishing sound heard over the carotid artery
D) A grating sound heard over the carotid artery
Correct Answer: A blowing, swishing sound heard over the carotid artery
Rationale: A carotid bruit is a blowing/swishing sound caused by turbulent
blood flow, suggesting atherosclerosis. A thrill is a palpable vibration.
4. A patient reports sudden, sharp chest pain that is relieved by sitting forward
and leaning slightly forward. The nurse auscultates a friction rub. Which
condition is most likely?
A) Myocardial infarction
B) Pulmonary embolism
C) Costochondritis
D) Pericarditis
Correct Answer: Pericarditis
Rationale: Pericarditis causes sharp, pleuritic chest pain that improves when
sitting forward, and a pericardial friction rub may be heard. MI pain is not
typically relieved by position.
, 5. The nurse palpates a carotid artery and feels a thrill. What is the most
appropriate next action?
A) Auscultate for a bruit
B) Document the finding as normal
C) Apply gentle pressure to assess for tenderness
D) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
Correct Answer: Auscultate for a bruit
Rationale: A thrill (palpable vibration) indicates turbulent blood flow; the nurse
should auscultate for a bruit to further evaluate possible vascular stenosis.
6. When assessing for a pulse deficit, which technique is correct?
A) Palpate the radial pulse while auscultating the apical pulse
B) Palpate the carotid pulse while auscultating the radial pulse
C) Compare bilateral radial pulses simultaneously
D) Auscultate the apical pulse for one full minute only
Correct Answer: Palpate the radial pulse while auscultating the apical pulse
Rationale: Pulse deficit = apical rate minus radial rate, assessed by two nurses or
one nurse palpating the radial pulse while auscultating the apical pulse
simultaneously. It may indicate atrial fibrillation.
7. The nurse notes that a patient’s capillary refill takes 4 seconds. Which factor
may contribute to this finding?
