Practice Question
Where would the nurse locate the point of maximal impulse?
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Left mid-clavicular line, 5th intercostal space
Rationale:
🟩 The PMI represents the location where the apex of the heart strikes the chest wall during systole.
🟩 In a healthy adult, the PMI is best palpated at the 5th intercostal space at the left mid-clavicular line, which corresponds to the apex of the left ventricle.
🟩 This landmark helps assess cardiac size and function; deviations may suggest cardiomegaly, ventricular hypertrophy, or displacement from lung pathology.
🟩 Accurate identification supports thorough cardiac assessment and early recognition of abnormal cardiac changes.
❌ Right sternal border, 2nd ICS → Aortic area
❌ Left sternal border, 3rd ICS → Erb’s point
❌ Right sternal border, repeated → Incorrect location for PMI
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This question is from EXAMPLIFY NUR 204 Fa 2025 EXAM 3 which contains 48 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: Examplify Exam(s)
- Domain: Medical-Surgical
- Answer Choices: 4