RN Exam Practice
Physiological AdaptationQuestion 1656 of 2368

The nurse auscultates an S3 heart sound in a client. Which condition does this finding suggest?

  1. Heart failure with fluid overload
  2. Mitral valve prolapse
  3. Inflammation of the pericardium
  4. Atherosclerotic narrowing of the carotid artery
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Correct answer: Heart failure with fluid overload

An S3 (ventricular gallop) occurs with fluid overload or heart failure. A click suggests mitral valve prolapse, a rub suggests pericarditis, and a bruit suggests atherosclerosis.

Source: Nursing Skills, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2023), Cardiovascular Assessment: Objective Assessment. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Physiological Adaptation"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026