NURSING HEALTH ASSESSMENT
NSG 3160 Exam 3 Review 2026/2027
A+
Complete Domain Coverage
A+ 5 100%
QUESTIONS VERIFIED EXAM DOMAINS COVERED RATIONALES INCLUDED
CATEGORIES
Cardiac System and Assessment
Peripheral Vascular Assessment
Lymphatic Assessment
Breast and Axilla Assessment
Respiratory Assessment
STUVIAACTUALEXAM
,SECTION 1: CARDIAC SYSTEM AND ASSESSMENT
Q1
A 58-year-old patient is admitted with chest discomfort. During cardiac auscultation the nurse places the
stethoscope at the second intercostal space, right sternal border. Which heart sound is primarily assessed at this
landmark, and what valve event produces it?
A. S2; closure of the aortic valve
B. S1; closure of the mitral valve
C. S3; rapid ventricular filling
D. S4; atrial contraction against a stiff ventricle
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The second intercostal space at the right sternal border is the aortic area. S2 is produced by closure of the aortic and
pulmonic (semilunar) valves. S1 is best heard at the apex (mitral area); S3 and S4 are extra sounds heard later in the cycle.
Q2
While auscultating a 72-year-old client, the nurse hears a soft, blowing sound between S1 and S2 that is loudest at
the apex and radiates to the left axilla. The sound increases when the client is placed in the left lateral position.
Which finding does this description most closely match?
A. Aortic stenosis murmur
B. Mitral regurgitation murmur
C. Physiologic split S2
D. Pericardial friction rub
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mitral regurgitation produces a holosystolic or systolic blowing murmur at the apex that often radiates to the axilla and
is accentuated in the left lateral position. Aortic stenosis is heard at the right upper sternal border and radiates to the neck; split
S2 and friction rub have different timing and quality.
, NSG 3160 Exam 3 Review 2026/2027
Q3
A nurse is teaching a student about the cardiac cycle. The student asks when the atrioventricular valves are open
and the ventricles are filling. Which phase of the cycle correctly answers the question?
A. Systole
B. Isovolumetric contraction
C. Diastole
D. Ejection phase
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: During diastole the ventricles relax, the AV valves (mitral and tricuspid) open, and ventricular filling occurs. Systole,
isovolumetric contraction, and ejection are periods when the AV valves are closed and the ventricles are contracting or ejecting
blood.
Q4
During assessment of a client with heart failure the nurse notes an extra heart sound early in diastole that sounds
like a distant gallop. The sound is best heard with the bell at the apex with the client in the left lateral position.
Which sound is the nurse most likely hearing?
A. S4
B. Opening snap
C. Ejection click
D. S3
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: S3 occurs early in diastole during rapid ventricular filling and is associated with volume overload states such as heart
failure. S4 occurs late in diastole; opening snaps and ejection clicks are higher-pitched sounds related to valvular abnormalities.
Q5
A client's apical impulse is visible and palpable in the fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line and is
approximately 1 cm in diameter. How should the nurse interpret this finding?
A. Normal apical impulse location and size
B. Evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy
C. Displacement consistent with right ventricular enlargement
D. Abnormal finding requiring immediate ECG
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The normal apical impulse (point of maximal impulse) is located at the fifth intercostal space, midclavicular line, and
is typically 1-2 cm in diameter. Lateral displacement or enlargement suggests ventricular hypertrophy or dilation.
NSG 3160 Exam 3 Review 2026/2027
A+
Complete Domain Coverage
A+ 5 100%
QUESTIONS VERIFIED EXAM DOMAINS COVERED RATIONALES INCLUDED
CATEGORIES
Cardiac System and Assessment
Peripheral Vascular Assessment
Lymphatic Assessment
Breast and Axilla Assessment
Respiratory Assessment
STUVIAACTUALEXAM
,SECTION 1: CARDIAC SYSTEM AND ASSESSMENT
Q1
A 58-year-old patient is admitted with chest discomfort. During cardiac auscultation the nurse places the
stethoscope at the second intercostal space, right sternal border. Which heart sound is primarily assessed at this
landmark, and what valve event produces it?
A. S2; closure of the aortic valve
B. S1; closure of the mitral valve
C. S3; rapid ventricular filling
D. S4; atrial contraction against a stiff ventricle
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The second intercostal space at the right sternal border is the aortic area. S2 is produced by closure of the aortic and
pulmonic (semilunar) valves. S1 is best heard at the apex (mitral area); S3 and S4 are extra sounds heard later in the cycle.
Q2
While auscultating a 72-year-old client, the nurse hears a soft, blowing sound between S1 and S2 that is loudest at
the apex and radiates to the left axilla. The sound increases when the client is placed in the left lateral position.
Which finding does this description most closely match?
A. Aortic stenosis murmur
B. Mitral regurgitation murmur
C. Physiologic split S2
D. Pericardial friction rub
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mitral regurgitation produces a holosystolic or systolic blowing murmur at the apex that often radiates to the axilla and
is accentuated in the left lateral position. Aortic stenosis is heard at the right upper sternal border and radiates to the neck; split
S2 and friction rub have different timing and quality.
, NSG 3160 Exam 3 Review 2026/2027
Q3
A nurse is teaching a student about the cardiac cycle. The student asks when the atrioventricular valves are open
and the ventricles are filling. Which phase of the cycle correctly answers the question?
A. Systole
B. Isovolumetric contraction
C. Diastole
D. Ejection phase
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: During diastole the ventricles relax, the AV valves (mitral and tricuspid) open, and ventricular filling occurs. Systole,
isovolumetric contraction, and ejection are periods when the AV valves are closed and the ventricles are contracting or ejecting
blood.
Q4
During assessment of a client with heart failure the nurse notes an extra heart sound early in diastole that sounds
like a distant gallop. The sound is best heard with the bell at the apex with the client in the left lateral position.
Which sound is the nurse most likely hearing?
A. S4
B. Opening snap
C. Ejection click
D. S3
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: S3 occurs early in diastole during rapid ventricular filling and is associated with volume overload states such as heart
failure. S4 occurs late in diastole; opening snaps and ejection clicks are higher-pitched sounds related to valvular abnormalities.
Q5
A client's apical impulse is visible and palpable in the fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line and is
approximately 1 cm in diameter. How should the nurse interpret this finding?
A. Normal apical impulse location and size
B. Evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy
C. Displacement consistent with right ventricular enlargement
D. Abnormal finding requiring immediate ECG
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The normal apical impulse (point of maximal impulse) is located at the fifth intercostal space, midclavicular line, and
is typically 1-2 cm in diameter. Lateral displacement or enlargement suggests ventricular hypertrophy or dilation.
