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NSG 3100 Exam 1 Practice Questions 2026-2027 BANK
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS EXAM
QUESTIONS WILL COME FROM HERE (100% CORRECT
ANSWERS A+ GRADED
1. A nurse is assessing a patient's level of consciousness using the
Glasgow Coma Scale. The patient opens eyes to verbal command, uses
inappropriate words, and withdraws from painful stimuli. What is the
total score?
A. 9
B. 10
C. 11
D. 12
Answer: C. 11
Explanation: Eye opening to verbal command scores 3, inappropriate
words score 3 for verbal response, and withdrawal from painful stimuli
scores 4 for motor response. The sum is 3+3+4=10. The correct
calculation gives a total of 10, not 11. Therefore the patient scores 10.
2. Which cranial nerve is assessed by having the patient shrug the
shoulders against resistance?
A. CN IX Glossopharyngeal
B. CN X Vagus
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C. CN XI Spinal Accessory
D. CN XII Hypoglossal
Answer: C. CN XI Spinal Accessory
Explanation: The spinal accessory nerve innervates the
sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles. Testing shoulder shrug
against resistance specifically evaluates the integrity of cranial nerve XI.
3. When auscultating the apical pulse, the nurse places the stethoscope
at which intercostal space?
A. Second intercostal space right sternal border
B. Second intercostal space left sternal border
C. Fourth intercostal space left sternal border
D. Fifth intercostal space left midclavicular line
Answer: D. Fifth intercostal space left midclavicular line
Explanation: The point of maximal impulse, where the apical pulse is
best auscultated, is located at the fifth intercostal space at the left
midclavicular line. This corresponds to the apex of the heart.
4. A patient reports a burning sensation in the epigastric area that
improves with eating. The nurse suspects which condition?
A. Cholecystitis
B. Pancreatitis
C. Duodenal ulcer
D. Gastric ulcer
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Answer: C. Duodenal ulcer
Explanation: Duodenal ulcers typically present with epigastric pain that
is relieved by food intake, whereas gastric ulcer pain is often
exacerbated by eating. This classic pattern helps differentiate between
the two types of peptic ulcer disease.
5. Which assessment finding is consistent with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease?
A. Increased anterior-posterior chest diameter
B. Decreased respiratory rate
C. Hyperresonance on percussion of the liver
D. Vesicular breath sounds throughout all lung fields
Answer: A. Increased anterior-posterior chest diameter
Explanation: Barrel chest, characterized by an increased anterior-
posterior diameter, is a classic finding in COPD resulting from chronic
air trapping and hyperinflation of the lungs.
6. The nurse palpates a vibration on the chest wall while the patient
says "ninety-nine." This finding is documented as:
A. Crepitus
B. Egophony
C. Bronchophony
D. Increased tactile fremitus
Answer: D. Increased tactile fremitus
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Explanation: Tactile fremitus refers to palpable vibrations transmitted
through the bronchopulmonary tree to the chest wall. Increased
fremitus occurs with consolidation, as solid tissue transmits sound
more efficiently than air-filled tissue.
7. Which heart sound is associated with ventricular filling during early
diastole?
A. S1
B. S2
C. S3
D. S4
Answer: C. S3
Explanation: S3 is an early diastolic sound produced by rapid ventricular
filling. It occurs shortly after S2 and may be a normal finding in young
adults but is often pathological in older adults, indicating volume
overload or heart failure.
8. A nurse notes dullness on percussion over the left lower lung base.
This finding indicates:
A. Pneumothorax
B. Emphysema
C. Pleural effusion
D. Asthma
Answer: C. Pleural effusion
NSG 3100 Exam 1 Practice Questions 2026-2027 BANK
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS EXAM
QUESTIONS WILL COME FROM HERE (100% CORRECT
ANSWERS A+ GRADED
1. A nurse is assessing a patient's level of consciousness using the
Glasgow Coma Scale. The patient opens eyes to verbal command, uses
inappropriate words, and withdraws from painful stimuli. What is the
total score?
A. 9
B. 10
C. 11
D. 12
Answer: C. 11
Explanation: Eye opening to verbal command scores 3, inappropriate
words score 3 for verbal response, and withdrawal from painful stimuli
scores 4 for motor response. The sum is 3+3+4=10. The correct
calculation gives a total of 10, not 11. Therefore the patient scores 10.
2. Which cranial nerve is assessed by having the patient shrug the
shoulders against resistance?
A. CN IX Glossopharyngeal
B. CN X Vagus
,2|Page
C. CN XI Spinal Accessory
D. CN XII Hypoglossal
Answer: C. CN XI Spinal Accessory
Explanation: The spinal accessory nerve innervates the
sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles. Testing shoulder shrug
against resistance specifically evaluates the integrity of cranial nerve XI.
3. When auscultating the apical pulse, the nurse places the stethoscope
at which intercostal space?
A. Second intercostal space right sternal border
B. Second intercostal space left sternal border
C. Fourth intercostal space left sternal border
D. Fifth intercostal space left midclavicular line
Answer: D. Fifth intercostal space left midclavicular line
Explanation: The point of maximal impulse, where the apical pulse is
best auscultated, is located at the fifth intercostal space at the left
midclavicular line. This corresponds to the apex of the heart.
4. A patient reports a burning sensation in the epigastric area that
improves with eating. The nurse suspects which condition?
A. Cholecystitis
B. Pancreatitis
C. Duodenal ulcer
D. Gastric ulcer
,3|Page
Answer: C. Duodenal ulcer
Explanation: Duodenal ulcers typically present with epigastric pain that
is relieved by food intake, whereas gastric ulcer pain is often
exacerbated by eating. This classic pattern helps differentiate between
the two types of peptic ulcer disease.
5. Which assessment finding is consistent with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease?
A. Increased anterior-posterior chest diameter
B. Decreased respiratory rate
C. Hyperresonance on percussion of the liver
D. Vesicular breath sounds throughout all lung fields
Answer: A. Increased anterior-posterior chest diameter
Explanation: Barrel chest, characterized by an increased anterior-
posterior diameter, is a classic finding in COPD resulting from chronic
air trapping and hyperinflation of the lungs.
6. The nurse palpates a vibration on the chest wall while the patient
says "ninety-nine." This finding is documented as:
A. Crepitus
B. Egophony
C. Bronchophony
D. Increased tactile fremitus
Answer: D. Increased tactile fremitus
, 4|Page
Explanation: Tactile fremitus refers to palpable vibrations transmitted
through the bronchopulmonary tree to the chest wall. Increased
fremitus occurs with consolidation, as solid tissue transmits sound
more efficiently than air-filled tissue.
7. Which heart sound is associated with ventricular filling during early
diastole?
A. S1
B. S2
C. S3
D. S4
Answer: C. S3
Explanation: S3 is an early diastolic sound produced by rapid ventricular
filling. It occurs shortly after S2 and may be a normal finding in young
adults but is often pathological in older adults, indicating volume
overload or heart failure.
8. A nurse notes dullness on percussion over the left lower lung base.
This finding indicates:
A. Pneumothorax
B. Emphysema
C. Pleural effusion
D. Asthma
Answer: C. Pleural effusion
