A 65-year-old patient has a murmur over the apex of the heart. What does the term apex represent?
A. Tip
B. Nearest the middle
C. Front
D. Back
Brenda -- you've asked several medical terminology questions this afternoon.
If you don't you know these answers, I suggest you either read your text materials or drop this class.
Use a dictionary if you don't understand some of the vocabulary.
Please note that Jiskha tutors HELP students -- but we are not an answer-supply forum.
Apex is the tip of the heart, try looking in your text book for a picture of the heart, usually there's a description of all the values...etc.
The term "apex" in reference to the heart represents the tip or the extreme end of the heart. When examining the heart, the apex is typically the point that is located at the lower left part of the chest, near the midclavicular line. It is often where the heartbeat can be felt most prominently.
To determine the answer to the question, you can infer that the apex of the heart is furthest from the back. Therefore, option D (Back) is not the correct answer.
Next, you should consider whether the apex is nearest to the middle or the front. The term "apex" refers to the extreme end or tip, so it is not referring to the middle of the heart. This rules out option B (Nearest the middle).
Now, you are left with two remaining options: A (Tip) and C (Front). While the apex may be described as the tip of the heart, it is also found at the front or anterior part of the heart as you palpate it through the anterior chest wall. Therefore, the correct answer is option C (Front).