NURS120 Week 7 Quiz: Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Peripheral
Vascular Systems Introduction to Medical Surgical Nursing |
Questions & Answers | Grade A | 100% Correct - WCU
1. Where is the apical pulse or point of maximal impulse (PMI) best auscultated
in a healthy adult?
A. Fifth intercostal space at the left midclavicular line
B. Fourth intercostal space at the left sternal border
C. Second intercostal space at the right sternal border
D. Second intercostal space at the left sternal border
Answer: A
Rationale: The apical pulse is found at the 5th intercostal space (ICS), left midclavicular
line (MCL) in most healthy adults.
2. The closure of which valves contributes to the S1 heart sound (‘lub’)?
A. Aortic and Pulmonic valves
B. Mitral and Aortic valves
C. Mitral and Tricuspid valves
D. Tricuspid and Pulmonic valves
Answer: C
Rationale: S1 occurs when the atrioventricular (AV) valves, the mitral and tricuspid, close
at the beginning of systole.
,3. What is the primary cause of the S2 heart sound (‘dub’)?
A. Closure of the atrioventricular valves
B. Closure of the semilunar valves
C. Opening of the mitral valve
D. Blood rushing into the ventricles
Answer: B
Rationale: S2 marks the end of systole and is caused by the closure of the semilunar valves
(aortic and pulmonic).
4. A nurse is auscultating at the second intercostal space, right sternal border.
Which valve area is being assessed?
A. Pulmonic area
B. Aortic area
C. Tricuspid area
D. Erb’s point
Answer: B
Rationale: The aortic valve area is located at the 2nd ICS, right sternal border.
5. Which heart sound is considered a ‘ventricular gallop’ and can be normal in
children but often indicates fluid overload in older adults?
A. S1
B. S2
C. S4
D. S3
Answer: D
Rationale: S3 occurs early in diastole during rapid ventricular filling and is often called a
ventricular gallop.
, 6. What does a ‘thrill’ feel like during palpation of the precordium?
A. A sharp tapping sensation
B. A rhythmic bounding pulse
C. A forceful thrusting of the chest wall
D. A fine, rushing vibration
Answer: D
Rationale: A thrill is a palpable vibration that signifies turbulent blood flow, often
associated with loud murmurs.
7. When auscultating for a carotid bruit, what is the correct technique?
A. Use the bell and ask the patient to hold their breath
B. Use the diaphragm and ask the patient to breathe deeply
C. Use the diaphragm and ask the patient to hold their breath
D. Use the bell and ask the patient to cough
Answer: A
Rationale: A bruit is a low-pitched blowing sound best heard with the bell. Having the
patient hold their breath prevents tracheal breath sounds from masking the bruit.
8. A nurse observes a patient has a barrel-shaped chest. This is most commonly
associated with which condition?
A. Pneumonia
B. Congestive heart failure
C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Answer: D
Rationale: A barrel chest (AP-to-transverse ratio of 1:1) results from hyperinflation of the
lungs, common in COPD and emphysema.
Vascular Systems Introduction to Medical Surgical Nursing |
Questions & Answers | Grade A | 100% Correct - WCU
1. Where is the apical pulse or point of maximal impulse (PMI) best auscultated
in a healthy adult?
A. Fifth intercostal space at the left midclavicular line
B. Fourth intercostal space at the left sternal border
C. Second intercostal space at the right sternal border
D. Second intercostal space at the left sternal border
Answer: A
Rationale: The apical pulse is found at the 5th intercostal space (ICS), left midclavicular
line (MCL) in most healthy adults.
2. The closure of which valves contributes to the S1 heart sound (‘lub’)?
A. Aortic and Pulmonic valves
B. Mitral and Aortic valves
C. Mitral and Tricuspid valves
D. Tricuspid and Pulmonic valves
Answer: C
Rationale: S1 occurs when the atrioventricular (AV) valves, the mitral and tricuspid, close
at the beginning of systole.
,3. What is the primary cause of the S2 heart sound (‘dub’)?
A. Closure of the atrioventricular valves
B. Closure of the semilunar valves
C. Opening of the mitral valve
D. Blood rushing into the ventricles
Answer: B
Rationale: S2 marks the end of systole and is caused by the closure of the semilunar valves
(aortic and pulmonic).
4. A nurse is auscultating at the second intercostal space, right sternal border.
Which valve area is being assessed?
A. Pulmonic area
B. Aortic area
C. Tricuspid area
D. Erb’s point
Answer: B
Rationale: The aortic valve area is located at the 2nd ICS, right sternal border.
5. Which heart sound is considered a ‘ventricular gallop’ and can be normal in
children but often indicates fluid overload in older adults?
A. S1
B. S2
C. S4
D. S3
Answer: D
Rationale: S3 occurs early in diastole during rapid ventricular filling and is often called a
ventricular gallop.
, 6. What does a ‘thrill’ feel like during palpation of the precordium?
A. A sharp tapping sensation
B. A rhythmic bounding pulse
C. A forceful thrusting of the chest wall
D. A fine, rushing vibration
Answer: D
Rationale: A thrill is a palpable vibration that signifies turbulent blood flow, often
associated with loud murmurs.
7. When auscultating for a carotid bruit, what is the correct technique?
A. Use the bell and ask the patient to hold their breath
B. Use the diaphragm and ask the patient to breathe deeply
C. Use the diaphragm and ask the patient to hold their breath
D. Use the bell and ask the patient to cough
Answer: A
Rationale: A bruit is a low-pitched blowing sound best heard with the bell. Having the
patient hold their breath prevents tracheal breath sounds from masking the bruit.
8. A nurse observes a patient has a barrel-shaped chest. This is most commonly
associated with which condition?
A. Pneumonia
B. Congestive heart failure
C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Answer: D
Rationale: A barrel chest (AP-to-transverse ratio of 1:1) results from hyperinflation of the
lungs, common in COPD and emphysema.
