Advanced Assessment Exam 2 Study guide Module 4 Heart & Blood Vessels with answers Latest Update 2025-2026 Exam 120 Questions with 100% Verified Correct Answers Guaranteed A+
after hearing an adventitious sound while auscultating the precordium, why would you
ask a pt to sit up and lean forward? - CORRECT ANSWER: it makes some murmurs
more evident, esp aortic regurgitation
how do you asses interstitial fluid? - CORRECT ANSWER: skin turgor, mucous
membrane, tongue
how do you asses intravascular fluid? - CORRECT ANSWER: BP, HR, CFT/CRT
(cathode ray tube?), UO (urine output), LOC
how do you auscultate the heart sounds over the precordium? - CORRECT ANSWER: -
identify ausculatory areas (indicated by the 4 valve areas) -"Ape To Man" -listen first with diaphragm, then the bell -identify S1 and S2; assess separately -listen for extra heart sounds (S3, S4) -listen for murmurs -note rate/rhythm
how do you grade the force/amplitude while palpating the peripheral pulses? -
CORRECT ANSWER: -+4 bounding
-+3 increased 1 / 3
-+2 normal -+1 weak (d/t not enough volume in vascular space) -0 absent
how do you inspect the precordium? - CORRECT ANSWER: inspect for pulsations: may or may not see the apical pulse. the left vent rotates against the chest wall during systole
how do you palpate across the precordium? - CORRECT ANSWER: use the palmar
aspects of fingers searching for any other pulsations (usually none)
how do you palpate the apical pulse? - CORRECT ANSWER: locate the intercostal
space (ICS) between the 4th and 5th rib.
how do you test for turgor of skin? - CORRECT ANSWER: pinch pts skin; normally it returns back to original shape
how should you inspect a pts arms and legs? - CORRECT ANSWER: -note color of skin and nail beds -check capillary refill time -presence of lesions, edema, or clubbing -temperature, texture, and turgor of skin
how should you palpate a pts carotid arteries? - CORRECT ANSWER: AFTER
auscultating them, palpate each carotid artery one at a time avoiding excessive carotid sinus pressure
if a pt begins to aspirate, which lung will it most likely be occurring in? - CORRECT
ANSWER: right lung
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if a pt is in the supine position while you're auscultating the precordium and you hear an adventitious sound (ie S3, S4, murmur), how would you position the pt to further
analyze the sound? - CORRECT ANSWER: -roll pt to lateral left side and listen
OR -ask pt to sit up and lean forward
if a pt presents with a lift or heave pulsation while you're palpating across the precordium, what does it mean? - CORRECT ANSWER: sustained forceful thrusting of the ventricle. due to ventricular hypertrophy resulting from increased workload of the heart
if a pt presents with a thrill vibrating pulsation while you're palpating across the precordium, what does it mean? - CORRECT ANSWER: it indicates turbulent blood flow
if a pts turgor of the skin does not go back to its original shape, what does this indicate
to you about the pt? - CORRECT ANSWER: -pt is dehydrated
-pt is older (normal)
if you hear a heart murmur in a pt, what should you pay attention to? - CORRECT
ANSWER: if it is louder during systole or during diastole
if you hear an apical pulse better toward a pts side, what 2 things would this indicate to
you? - CORRECT ANSWER: pt is either a runner or has increased HTN
if you hear an irregular pulse while you're auscultating a pt, what should you check for?
- CORRECT ANSWER: pulse deficit
interstitial fluid - CORRECT ANSWER: -24% TBW
-fluid between/around cells (aka 3rd space)
- / 3