NSG 3160 Health Assessment Exam 3 Actual Exam Newest Complete Questions And Correct
Detailed Answers| Already Graded A+
Question 1
During the auscultation of a patient's carotid artery, the nurse hears a soft, blowing, swishing
sound. How should the nurse document this finding?
A) Thrill
B) Murmur
C) Bruit
D) Heave
E) Friction rub
Correct Answer: C) Bruit
Rationale: A bruit is an abnormal blowing or swishing sound heard during auscultation of
an artery (such as the carotid) or an organ. It indicates turbulent blood flow, often due to
narrowing or partial obstruction of the vessel. A murmur is a similar sound but is heard
specifically within the heart.
Question 2
Which of the following conditions is specifically defined as a disease involving the heart and
blood vessels?
A) Pulmonary edema
B) Arteriosclerosis
C) Cardiovascular disease
D) Atherosclerosis
E) Chronic venous insufficiency
Correct Answer: C) Cardiovascular disease
Rationale: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the general umbrella term for various diseases
that affect the heart (cardio) and the blood vessels (vascular), including coronary artery
disease, heart failure, and peripheral vascular disease.
Question 3
A nurse is teaching a community health class about cardiovascular health. Which of the
following should be identified as a primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease?
A) High HDL cholesterol
B) Hypertension
C) Hypotension
D) Low LDL cholesterol
E) Vegetarian diet
Correct Answer: B) Hypertension
Rationale: Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a major modifiable risk factor for CVD
because it increases the workload on the heart and damages the arterial walls. Other
primary risk factors include smoking, obesity, and high LDL (bad) cholesterol.
, 2
Question 4
Which of the following is an expected physiological change in the cardiovascular system of an
aging adult?
A) Increased cardiac output
B) Decreased peripheral resistance
C) Thickening and stiffening of the large arteries (Arteriosclerosis)
D) Decreased incidence of dysrhythmias
E) Increased EKG voltage
Correct Answer: C) Arteriosclerosis
Rationale: As adults age, the blood vessels become less elastic and stiffer, a process known as
arteriosclerosis. This often leads to an increase in systolic blood pressure. Cardiac output
usually decreases or remains stable during exercise, but does not increase with age.
Question 5
Hardening of the arteries due specifically to the buildup of fatty plaques is known as:
A) Arteriosclerosis
B) Atherosclerosis
C) Phlebitis
D) Varicosities
E) Lymphedema
Correct Answer: B) Atherosclerosis
Rationale: While arteriosclerosis is a general term for the hardening/stiffening of arteries,
atherosclerosis is the specific subtype caused by the accumulation of plaque (cholesterol
and fatty substances) on the inner lining of the artery walls.
Question 6
A nurse is performing a cardiac history on a patient. Which of the following is considered a
"subjective" assessment question?
A) "What is your heart rate?"
B) "Are you experiencing any chest pain?"
C) "Is your chest symmetric?"
D) "Do you have any visible pulsations?"
E) "What was your last blood pressure reading?"
Correct Answer: B) "Are you experiencing any chest pain?"
Rationale: Subjective data is what the patient says or feels. Chest pain, cough, fatigue, and
dyspnea (shortness of breath) are all subjective symptoms that the nurse should inquire
about during the history-taking portion of the assessment.
Question 7
When assessing a patient reporting chest pain, the nurse should use the "PQRST" mnemonic.
What does the "S" in PQRST typically refer to?
, 3
A) Symmetry of the chest
B) S1 and S2 heart sounds
C) Severity and Symptoms
D) Systolic pressure
E) Smoking history
Correct Answer: C) Severity and Symptoms
Rationale: PQRST stands for Provocation/Palliation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity
(scale of 1-10), and Timing. This allows the nurse to thoroughly document the
characteristics of the pain to help differentiate between musculoskeletal pain and a
myocardial infarction (MI).
Question 8
Which of the following is considered a "nonmodifiable" risk factor for Coronary Artery Disease
(CAD)?
A) Obesity
B) Family history
C) Smoking
D) Stress management
E) Physical inactivity
Correct Answer: B) Family history
Rationale: Nonmodifiable risk factors are those that the patient cannot change. These
include age, gender, ethnicity, family history, and genetics. Modifiable factors, like smoking
and weight, can be changed through intervention.
Question 9
During the objective assessment of the cardiovascular system, the nurse should prioritize which
techniques?
A) Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B) Percussion, Palpation, Olfaction
C) Inspection, Palpation, Auscultation
D) Auscultation and Percussion only
E) Palpation and Inspection only
Correct Answer: C) Inspection, Palpation, Auscultation
Rationale: Objective data for the heart is primarily gathered through inspection (checking
for heaves/pulsations), palpation (PMI, thrills), and auscultation (S1, S2, extra sounds).
Percussion is rarely used in modern cardiac assessment.
Question 10
The nurse is assessing the Jugular Venous Pulse (JVP). This measurement provides information
regarding:
A) Left ventricular pressure
, 4
B) Systemic arterial pressure
C) Right heart pressure
D) Pulmonary artery pressure
E) Capillary wedge pressure
Correct Answer: C) Right heart pressure
Rationale: The jugular veins reflect the activity and pressure of the right side of the heart.
Specifically, JVP indicates right atrial pressure and right ventricular end-diastolic
pressure.
Question 11
What is the normal measurement for Jugular Venous Pressure when measured from the sternal
angle?
A) 0 cm
B) 1 cm or less
C) 3 cm or less
D) 5 cm to 7 cm
E) 10 cm
Correct Answer: C) 3 cm or less
Rationale: A normal JVP is 3 cm or less above the sternal angle. A reading greater than 3
cm suggests fluid overload, heart failure, or superior vena cava obstruction.
Question 12
To accurately assess for Jugular Venous Distention (JVD), the patient should be positioned at
which angle?
A) Flat (0 degrees)
B) 15 degrees
C) 30-45 degrees
D) 90 degrees
E) Prone
Correct Answer: C) position at 30-45 degrees
Rationale: Positioning the patient at 30 to 45 degrees allows the nurse to see the pulsations
of the internal jugular vein. If the patient is flat, the veins will distend normally; if the
patient is upright, the veins may disappear.
Question 13
Which heart sound represents the closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves and signals the start
of systole?
A) S1
B) S2
C) S3
D) S4
Detailed Answers| Already Graded A+
Question 1
During the auscultation of a patient's carotid artery, the nurse hears a soft, blowing, swishing
sound. How should the nurse document this finding?
A) Thrill
B) Murmur
C) Bruit
D) Heave
E) Friction rub
Correct Answer: C) Bruit
Rationale: A bruit is an abnormal blowing or swishing sound heard during auscultation of
an artery (such as the carotid) or an organ. It indicates turbulent blood flow, often due to
narrowing or partial obstruction of the vessel. A murmur is a similar sound but is heard
specifically within the heart.
Question 2
Which of the following conditions is specifically defined as a disease involving the heart and
blood vessels?
A) Pulmonary edema
B) Arteriosclerosis
C) Cardiovascular disease
D) Atherosclerosis
E) Chronic venous insufficiency
Correct Answer: C) Cardiovascular disease
Rationale: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the general umbrella term for various diseases
that affect the heart (cardio) and the blood vessels (vascular), including coronary artery
disease, heart failure, and peripheral vascular disease.
Question 3
A nurse is teaching a community health class about cardiovascular health. Which of the
following should be identified as a primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease?
A) High HDL cholesterol
B) Hypertension
C) Hypotension
D) Low LDL cholesterol
E) Vegetarian diet
Correct Answer: B) Hypertension
Rationale: Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a major modifiable risk factor for CVD
because it increases the workload on the heart and damages the arterial walls. Other
primary risk factors include smoking, obesity, and high LDL (bad) cholesterol.
, 2
Question 4
Which of the following is an expected physiological change in the cardiovascular system of an
aging adult?
A) Increased cardiac output
B) Decreased peripheral resistance
C) Thickening and stiffening of the large arteries (Arteriosclerosis)
D) Decreased incidence of dysrhythmias
E) Increased EKG voltage
Correct Answer: C) Arteriosclerosis
Rationale: As adults age, the blood vessels become less elastic and stiffer, a process known as
arteriosclerosis. This often leads to an increase in systolic blood pressure. Cardiac output
usually decreases or remains stable during exercise, but does not increase with age.
Question 5
Hardening of the arteries due specifically to the buildup of fatty plaques is known as:
A) Arteriosclerosis
B) Atherosclerosis
C) Phlebitis
D) Varicosities
E) Lymphedema
Correct Answer: B) Atherosclerosis
Rationale: While arteriosclerosis is a general term for the hardening/stiffening of arteries,
atherosclerosis is the specific subtype caused by the accumulation of plaque (cholesterol
and fatty substances) on the inner lining of the artery walls.
Question 6
A nurse is performing a cardiac history on a patient. Which of the following is considered a
"subjective" assessment question?
A) "What is your heart rate?"
B) "Are you experiencing any chest pain?"
C) "Is your chest symmetric?"
D) "Do you have any visible pulsations?"
E) "What was your last blood pressure reading?"
Correct Answer: B) "Are you experiencing any chest pain?"
Rationale: Subjective data is what the patient says or feels. Chest pain, cough, fatigue, and
dyspnea (shortness of breath) are all subjective symptoms that the nurse should inquire
about during the history-taking portion of the assessment.
Question 7
When assessing a patient reporting chest pain, the nurse should use the "PQRST" mnemonic.
What does the "S" in PQRST typically refer to?
, 3
A) Symmetry of the chest
B) S1 and S2 heart sounds
C) Severity and Symptoms
D) Systolic pressure
E) Smoking history
Correct Answer: C) Severity and Symptoms
Rationale: PQRST stands for Provocation/Palliation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity
(scale of 1-10), and Timing. This allows the nurse to thoroughly document the
characteristics of the pain to help differentiate between musculoskeletal pain and a
myocardial infarction (MI).
Question 8
Which of the following is considered a "nonmodifiable" risk factor for Coronary Artery Disease
(CAD)?
A) Obesity
B) Family history
C) Smoking
D) Stress management
E) Physical inactivity
Correct Answer: B) Family history
Rationale: Nonmodifiable risk factors are those that the patient cannot change. These
include age, gender, ethnicity, family history, and genetics. Modifiable factors, like smoking
and weight, can be changed through intervention.
Question 9
During the objective assessment of the cardiovascular system, the nurse should prioritize which
techniques?
A) Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B) Percussion, Palpation, Olfaction
C) Inspection, Palpation, Auscultation
D) Auscultation and Percussion only
E) Palpation and Inspection only
Correct Answer: C) Inspection, Palpation, Auscultation
Rationale: Objective data for the heart is primarily gathered through inspection (checking
for heaves/pulsations), palpation (PMI, thrills), and auscultation (S1, S2, extra sounds).
Percussion is rarely used in modern cardiac assessment.
Question 10
The nurse is assessing the Jugular Venous Pulse (JVP). This measurement provides information
regarding:
A) Left ventricular pressure
, 4
B) Systemic arterial pressure
C) Right heart pressure
D) Pulmonary artery pressure
E) Capillary wedge pressure
Correct Answer: C) Right heart pressure
Rationale: The jugular veins reflect the activity and pressure of the right side of the heart.
Specifically, JVP indicates right atrial pressure and right ventricular end-diastolic
pressure.
Question 11
What is the normal measurement for Jugular Venous Pressure when measured from the sternal
angle?
A) 0 cm
B) 1 cm or less
C) 3 cm or less
D) 5 cm to 7 cm
E) 10 cm
Correct Answer: C) 3 cm or less
Rationale: A normal JVP is 3 cm or less above the sternal angle. A reading greater than 3
cm suggests fluid overload, heart failure, or superior vena cava obstruction.
Question 12
To accurately assess for Jugular Venous Distention (JVD), the patient should be positioned at
which angle?
A) Flat (0 degrees)
B) 15 degrees
C) 30-45 degrees
D) 90 degrees
E) Prone
Correct Answer: C) position at 30-45 degrees
Rationale: Positioning the patient at 30 to 45 degrees allows the nurse to see the pulsations
of the internal jugular vein. If the patient is flat, the veins will distend normally; if the
patient is upright, the veins may disappear.
Question 13
Which heart sound represents the closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves and signals the start
of systole?
A) S1
B) S2
C) S3
D) S4
