Exam 1: NR304 / NR 304 (Latest Update 2025 /
2026) Health Assessment II | Weeks 1-3
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question. Questions are multiple-choice format.
Peripheral Vascular System (Questions 1-20)
1. A nurse is preparing to assess a patient's peripheral vascular system. Which statement best
describes the function of the arterial system?
a) It is a low-pressure system that relies on intraluminal valves.
b) It carries deoxygenated blood back to the heart.
c) It is a high-pressure system responsible for distributing oxygenated blood.
d) It depends on skeletal muscle contraction to propel blood.
Answer: c) It is a high-pressure system responsible for distributing oxygenated blood.
Rationale: The arterial system is a high-pressure system that carries oxygenated blood away from the
heart to the tissues. Venous return is facilitated by a low-pressure system, intraluminal valves, and
skeletal muscle contraction .
2. The nurse is assessing the major artery supplying the arm. Which artery is located in the upper arm
and is a primary site for assessing blood pressure and pulse in an infant?
a) Radial
b) Ulnar
c) Brachial
d) Subclavian
Answer: c) Brachial
Rationale: The brachial artery is the major artery of the upper arm. It is a common site for blood
pressure measurement and for palpating a pulse in infants and children .
3. A patient presents with pain in the left calf when walking that is relieved by rest. This description is
most consistent with:
a) A venous obstruction.
b) Claudication due to arterial insufficiency.
c) A musculoskeletal strain.
d) Acute venous insufficiency.
,Answer: b) Claudication due to arterial insufficiency.
Rationale: Intermittent claudication is a classic sign of peripheral artery disease (PAD). It is caused by
ischemia (lack of oxygen) to the muscles during exercise due to a partial blockage of an artery and is
relieved by rest .
4. When assessing for peripheral arterial disease, which pulse is most important to palpate in the
lower extremity?
a) Femoral pulse
b) Popliteal pulse
c) Dorsalis pedis pulse
d) Brachial pulse
Answer: c) Dorsalis pedis pulse
Rationale: The dorsalis pedis pulse is located on the top of the foot, lateral to the extensor tendon of
the great toe. Its presence or absence is a key indicator of arterial circulation to the foot .
5. The nurse understands that which mechanism is primarily responsible for returning venous blood to
the heart?
a) The high pressure generated by left ventricular contraction.
b) Negative thoracic pressure and the presence of intraluminal valves.
c) The strong, muscular walls of the veins.
d) The high volume of blood in the venous system.
Answer: b) Negative thoracic pressure and the presence of intraluminal valves.
Rationale: Venous return is a complex process involving several mechanisms: the pressure gradient,
skeletal muscle pump, respiratory pump (negative thoracic pressure), and one-way intraluminal valves
that ensure unidirectional flow toward the heart .
6. A patient's ankle-brachial index (ABI) is 0.85. How should the nurse interpret this finding?
a) Normal
b) Mild to moderate peripheral arterial disease
c) Severe peripheral arterial disease
d) Venous insufficiency
Answer: b) Mild to moderate peripheral arterial disease
Rationale: The Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) compares the blood pressure in the ankle to the blood
pressure in the arm. A normal ABI ranges from 1.0 to 1.4. An ABI of 0.85 indicates the presence of mild
to moderate PAD. An ABI of 0.9 or less is generally indicative of PAD .
7. A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected acute arterial insufficiency. Which finding would the
nurse expect?
a) Gradual onset of pain, cool skin, and pallor.
b) Sudden onset of pain, pallor, and pulselessness.
, c) Aching pain, edema, and brownish discoloration of the ankle.
d) Pain relieved by elevation and worsened by dependency.
Answer: b) Sudden onset of pain, pallor, and pulselessness.
Rationale: Acute arterial insufficiency is a medical emergency, often caused by an embolus or trauma. It
is characterized by the "6 Ps": Pain, Pallor, Pulselessness, Paresthesia, Poikilothermia (cold), and
Paralysis .
8. Which of the following is a characteristic finding in chronic venous insufficiency?
a) Dependent rubor and thin, shiny skin.
b) Intermittent claudication and weak pulses.
c) Brownish discoloration (hemosiderin deposition) and edema of the ankles.
d) Decreased hair distribution on the legs and thickened nails.
Answer: c) Brownish discoloration (hemosiderin deposition) and edema of the ankles.
Rationale: Chronic venous insufficiency results from incompetent valves, leading to venous stasis. This
causes edema and the breakdown of red blood cells, leading to hemosiderin deposits that turn the skin
a brownish color, typically around the ankles.
9. The nurse is performing a modified Allen test. What is the purpose of this test?
a) To assess for carpal tunnel syndrome.
b) To evaluate the patency of the ulnar artery.
c) To check for deep vein thrombosis.
d) To assess the function of the radial nerve.
Answer: b) To evaluate the patency of the ulnar artery.
Rationale: The modified Allen test is performed before drawing blood from the radial artery. By
occluding both the radial and ulnar arteries and then releasing the ulnar, the nurse assesses if the ulnar
artery can provide adequate blood flow to the hand .
10. A patient with a history of DVT presents with sudden onset of sharp, deep calf pain, warmth, and
swelling. The nurse suspects:
a) Chronic arterial insufficiency.
b) A ruptured Baker's cyst.
c) Acute venous insufficiency/Deep Vein Thrombophlebitis.
d) Lymphedema.
Answer: c) Acute venous insufficiency/Deep Vein Thrombophlebitis.
Rationale: The symptoms described—sudden onset, sharp pain, warmth, redness, and swelling—are
classic signs of acute Deep Vein Thrombophlebitis (DVT). The biggest risk factor is immobility .
11. During an assessment, the nurse notes nonpitting, brawny edema in a patient's left arm who is
post-mastectomy. This finding is most likely:
2026) Health Assessment II | Weeks 1-3
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question. Questions are multiple-choice format.
Peripheral Vascular System (Questions 1-20)
1. A nurse is preparing to assess a patient's peripheral vascular system. Which statement best
describes the function of the arterial system?
a) It is a low-pressure system that relies on intraluminal valves.
b) It carries deoxygenated blood back to the heart.
c) It is a high-pressure system responsible for distributing oxygenated blood.
d) It depends on skeletal muscle contraction to propel blood.
Answer: c) It is a high-pressure system responsible for distributing oxygenated blood.
Rationale: The arterial system is a high-pressure system that carries oxygenated blood away from the
heart to the tissues. Venous return is facilitated by a low-pressure system, intraluminal valves, and
skeletal muscle contraction .
2. The nurse is assessing the major artery supplying the arm. Which artery is located in the upper arm
and is a primary site for assessing blood pressure and pulse in an infant?
a) Radial
b) Ulnar
c) Brachial
d) Subclavian
Answer: c) Brachial
Rationale: The brachial artery is the major artery of the upper arm. It is a common site for blood
pressure measurement and for palpating a pulse in infants and children .
3. A patient presents with pain in the left calf when walking that is relieved by rest. This description is
most consistent with:
a) A venous obstruction.
b) Claudication due to arterial insufficiency.
c) A musculoskeletal strain.
d) Acute venous insufficiency.
,Answer: b) Claudication due to arterial insufficiency.
Rationale: Intermittent claudication is a classic sign of peripheral artery disease (PAD). It is caused by
ischemia (lack of oxygen) to the muscles during exercise due to a partial blockage of an artery and is
relieved by rest .
4. When assessing for peripheral arterial disease, which pulse is most important to palpate in the
lower extremity?
a) Femoral pulse
b) Popliteal pulse
c) Dorsalis pedis pulse
d) Brachial pulse
Answer: c) Dorsalis pedis pulse
Rationale: The dorsalis pedis pulse is located on the top of the foot, lateral to the extensor tendon of
the great toe. Its presence or absence is a key indicator of arterial circulation to the foot .
5. The nurse understands that which mechanism is primarily responsible for returning venous blood to
the heart?
a) The high pressure generated by left ventricular contraction.
b) Negative thoracic pressure and the presence of intraluminal valves.
c) The strong, muscular walls of the veins.
d) The high volume of blood in the venous system.
Answer: b) Negative thoracic pressure and the presence of intraluminal valves.
Rationale: Venous return is a complex process involving several mechanisms: the pressure gradient,
skeletal muscle pump, respiratory pump (negative thoracic pressure), and one-way intraluminal valves
that ensure unidirectional flow toward the heart .
6. A patient's ankle-brachial index (ABI) is 0.85. How should the nurse interpret this finding?
a) Normal
b) Mild to moderate peripheral arterial disease
c) Severe peripheral arterial disease
d) Venous insufficiency
Answer: b) Mild to moderate peripheral arterial disease
Rationale: The Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) compares the blood pressure in the ankle to the blood
pressure in the arm. A normal ABI ranges from 1.0 to 1.4. An ABI of 0.85 indicates the presence of mild
to moderate PAD. An ABI of 0.9 or less is generally indicative of PAD .
7. A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected acute arterial insufficiency. Which finding would the
nurse expect?
a) Gradual onset of pain, cool skin, and pallor.
b) Sudden onset of pain, pallor, and pulselessness.
, c) Aching pain, edema, and brownish discoloration of the ankle.
d) Pain relieved by elevation and worsened by dependency.
Answer: b) Sudden onset of pain, pallor, and pulselessness.
Rationale: Acute arterial insufficiency is a medical emergency, often caused by an embolus or trauma. It
is characterized by the "6 Ps": Pain, Pallor, Pulselessness, Paresthesia, Poikilothermia (cold), and
Paralysis .
8. Which of the following is a characteristic finding in chronic venous insufficiency?
a) Dependent rubor and thin, shiny skin.
b) Intermittent claudication and weak pulses.
c) Brownish discoloration (hemosiderin deposition) and edema of the ankles.
d) Decreased hair distribution on the legs and thickened nails.
Answer: c) Brownish discoloration (hemosiderin deposition) and edema of the ankles.
Rationale: Chronic venous insufficiency results from incompetent valves, leading to venous stasis. This
causes edema and the breakdown of red blood cells, leading to hemosiderin deposits that turn the skin
a brownish color, typically around the ankles.
9. The nurse is performing a modified Allen test. What is the purpose of this test?
a) To assess for carpal tunnel syndrome.
b) To evaluate the patency of the ulnar artery.
c) To check for deep vein thrombosis.
d) To assess the function of the radial nerve.
Answer: b) To evaluate the patency of the ulnar artery.
Rationale: The modified Allen test is performed before drawing blood from the radial artery. By
occluding both the radial and ulnar arteries and then releasing the ulnar, the nurse assesses if the ulnar
artery can provide adequate blood flow to the hand .
10. A patient with a history of DVT presents with sudden onset of sharp, deep calf pain, warmth, and
swelling. The nurse suspects:
a) Chronic arterial insufficiency.
b) A ruptured Baker's cyst.
c) Acute venous insufficiency/Deep Vein Thrombophlebitis.
d) Lymphedema.
Answer: c) Acute venous insufficiency/Deep Vein Thrombophlebitis.
Rationale: The symptoms described—sudden onset, sharp pain, warmth, redness, and swelling—are
classic signs of acute Deep Vein Thrombophlebitis (DVT). The biggest risk factor is immobility .
11. During an assessment, the nurse notes nonpitting, brawny edema in a patient's left arm who is
post-mastectomy. This finding is most likely:
