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NURS 3410 EXAM 1 2026 REAL
QUESTIONS WITH EXPERTLY VERIFIED
ANSWERS.
Cardiovascular Health History - Subjective (6)
Family
- history of heart disease. high cholesterol, heart attack, open
heart surgery, heart failure
(heart issues have a very positive correlation within families)
Health
- what other medical problems do they have? respiratory issues?
(heart and lungs are often affected by the other)
Social
- smoking, alcohol, recreational drug use, caffeine intake, stress
Diet
- fatty foods vs mediterranean diet
Exercise
- how much?
- recommended: 150 mins per week of moderate or 75 mins of
vigorous, strength training twice a week, less time sitting
Medications
Cardiovascular Symptoms - Subjective (10)
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- chest pain
- palpitations
- fatigue
- SOB/orthopnea
- leg pain/cramps
- edema
- cyanosis
- syncope (fainting)
- dizziness
Cardiovascular Physical Assessment: Preparation (3)
1. Position and Landmarks
- sitting upright (best for carotid arteries), supine with head and
chest slightly elevated (best for jugular veins and precordium)
2. Equipment
- stethoscope, pen light, ruler for JV
3. Privacy
Cardiovascular Anatomical Landmarks (4)
1. Base
- upper part of the heart
2. Apex
- bottom tip of the heart
3. Precordium
- anterior chest overlying the heart and great vessels
- the heart extends from the 2nd to the 5th intercostal space and
from the right border of the sternum to the left midclavicular line
4. Apical impulse aka PMI
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- located in the 4th to 5th intercostal space just medial to the left
midclavicular line
- by age 7, a child's PMI is i the same location as an adult
- lying on left side to assess
Assessment: Neck
Carotid Pulse (inspect, palpate, auscultate)
- Raise head of bed until jugular venous pulsations become
evident (typically around 45 degrees)
- Place bell of stethoscope over carotid artery at end of clavicle
and posterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle
- Have patient turn head slightly to the left
- If able, have patient hold breath to better hear
Is there a bruit?
(do not palpate or massage vigorously or both at the same time)
Inspection: Jugular Venous Pressure (JVP)
Position:
- Begin flat
- Use a pillow to alight head, avoid flexion or extension
- Turn head slightly to the left
- Direct light onto neck to highlight pulsations and shadows
Observe for engorgement of jugular veins
- Raise head of bed until jugular venous pulsations become
evident (around 45 degrees)
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Distended external jugular veins above 45 degrees elevation
indicate increased central venous pressure, pulses can be
seen but not felt in veins
Normal: no pulsations at 45 degrees
Assessment: Precordium
Inspection and Palpation
Heave or lift
- visible elevation of heart wall = heart failure
Apical Impulse (API)
- may need to lay on left side for you to feel
- indicates if the patient has an enlarged heart
- thrill: palpable vibration accompany heart murmurs or
malformations (should not see pulsations unless in a thin pt)
Auscultation
Cardiovascular Auscultation Landmarks (5)
1. Aortic
- right 2nd intercostal space
2. Pulmonic
- left 2nd intercostal space
3. Erb's Point
- (S1, S2) left third intercostal space
4. Tricuspid
- lower left sternal border, 4th intercostal
5. Mitral
- left 5th intercostal, medial to midclavicular line
Cardiovascular Auscultation (3)
NURS 3410 EXAM 1 2026 REAL
QUESTIONS WITH EXPERTLY VERIFIED
ANSWERS.
Cardiovascular Health History - Subjective (6)
Family
- history of heart disease. high cholesterol, heart attack, open
heart surgery, heart failure
(heart issues have a very positive correlation within families)
Health
- what other medical problems do they have? respiratory issues?
(heart and lungs are often affected by the other)
Social
- smoking, alcohol, recreational drug use, caffeine intake, stress
Diet
- fatty foods vs mediterranean diet
Exercise
- how much?
- recommended: 150 mins per week of moderate or 75 mins of
vigorous, strength training twice a week, less time sitting
Medications
Cardiovascular Symptoms - Subjective (10)
, Page | 2
- chest pain
- palpitations
- fatigue
- SOB/orthopnea
- leg pain/cramps
- edema
- cyanosis
- syncope (fainting)
- dizziness
Cardiovascular Physical Assessment: Preparation (3)
1. Position and Landmarks
- sitting upright (best for carotid arteries), supine with head and
chest slightly elevated (best for jugular veins and precordium)
2. Equipment
- stethoscope, pen light, ruler for JV
3. Privacy
Cardiovascular Anatomical Landmarks (4)
1. Base
- upper part of the heart
2. Apex
- bottom tip of the heart
3. Precordium
- anterior chest overlying the heart and great vessels
- the heart extends from the 2nd to the 5th intercostal space and
from the right border of the sternum to the left midclavicular line
4. Apical impulse aka PMI
, Page | 3
- located in the 4th to 5th intercostal space just medial to the left
midclavicular line
- by age 7, a child's PMI is i the same location as an adult
- lying on left side to assess
Assessment: Neck
Carotid Pulse (inspect, palpate, auscultate)
- Raise head of bed until jugular venous pulsations become
evident (typically around 45 degrees)
- Place bell of stethoscope over carotid artery at end of clavicle
and posterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle
- Have patient turn head slightly to the left
- If able, have patient hold breath to better hear
Is there a bruit?
(do not palpate or massage vigorously or both at the same time)
Inspection: Jugular Venous Pressure (JVP)
Position:
- Begin flat
- Use a pillow to alight head, avoid flexion or extension
- Turn head slightly to the left
- Direct light onto neck to highlight pulsations and shadows
Observe for engorgement of jugular veins
- Raise head of bed until jugular venous pulsations become
evident (around 45 degrees)
, Page | 4
Distended external jugular veins above 45 degrees elevation
indicate increased central venous pressure, pulses can be
seen but not felt in veins
Normal: no pulsations at 45 degrees
Assessment: Precordium
Inspection and Palpation
Heave or lift
- visible elevation of heart wall = heart failure
Apical Impulse (API)
- may need to lay on left side for you to feel
- indicates if the patient has an enlarged heart
- thrill: palpable vibration accompany heart murmurs or
malformations (should not see pulsations unless in a thin pt)
Auscultation
Cardiovascular Auscultation Landmarks (5)
1. Aortic
- right 2nd intercostal space
2. Pulmonic
- left 2nd intercostal space
3. Erb's Point
- (S1, S2) left third intercostal space
4. Tricuspid
- lower left sternal border, 4th intercostal
5. Mitral
- left 5th intercostal, medial to midclavicular line
Cardiovascular Auscultation (3)
