NUR 265
EXAM 2
Medical-Surgical Nursing
Galen College of Nursing
Tested Qs & Verified Answers with Rationales
This Exam Features:
NUR 265 Exam 2 Medical-Surgical Nursing (Galen
College) including 50 Tested questions written
to mirror actual course exams. Covers core Med-
Surg concepts with clear, accurate, and student-
friendly explanations. Perfect for mastering high-priority topics
and boosting exam confidence.
,### 1. The nurse is caring for a client who appears to have developed
a pulmonary embolism (PE). Which of the following ABG results does
the nurse expect the client to initially have?
A. pH = 7.45; PaO₂ = 70 mm Hg; PaCO₂ = 38 mm Hg; HCO₃⁻ = 28 mEq/L;
SaO₂ = 86%.
B. pH = 7.35; PaO₂ = 63 mm Hg; PaCO₂ = 42 mm Hg; HCO₃⁻ = 26 mEq/L;
SaO₂ = 84%.
C. pH = 7.50; PaO₂ = 79 mm Hg; PaCO₂ = 32 mm Hg; HCO₃⁻ = 23 mEq/L;
SaO₂ = 88%.
D. pH = 7.31; PaO₂ = 73 mm Hg; PaCO₂ = 50 mm Hg; HCO₃⁻ = 22 mEq/L;
SaO₂ = 85%.
Correct Answer: C. pH = 7.50; PaO₂ = 79 mm Hg; PaCO₂ = 32 mm Hg;
HCO₃⁻ = 23 mEq/L; SaO₂ = 88%.
Rationale:
Pulmonary embolism typically causes hypoxemia and respiratory alkalosis
initially due to hyperventilation triggered by hypoxemia and stimulation of
respiratory centers. This results in a high pH (alkalemia) and low PaCO₂
(hypocapnia). PaO₂ may be mildly decreased, and SaO₂ is decreased due
to impaired gas exchange. Other options show either normal or acidotic
states which are less consistent with early PE.
---
### 2. The nurse working in an acute care setting is caring for assigned
clients. The nurse should recognize that at greatest risk for developing a
ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) mismatch is the client who
A. requires the use of opioid analgesics to control pain.
B. receives hemodialysis for chronic kidney disease (CKD).
C. has a pulmonary embolism (PE).
, D. uses a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine for sleep
apnea.
Correct Answer: C. has a pulmonary embolism (PE).
Rationale:
A PE causes obstruction in pulmonary arteries, leading to blood flow being
blocked to ventilated areas—resulting in a V/Q mismatch (ventilation
present but perfusion impaired). Opioids depress respiratory drive but are
less directly related to V/Q mismatch, and CPAP supports airway patency
without causing mismatch. Hemodialysis impacts kidneys, not
ventilation/perfusion directly.
---
### 3. The nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube. Which
assessment findings from the box below require the nurse to
immediately notify the primary health care provider (PHCP)?
1. Continuous bubbling in the suction control chamber.
2. Tracheal deviation.
3. Tidaling in the water seal chamber with breathing.
4. 100 mL of drainage within an hour.
5. Visibility of the eyelets of the chest tube.
6. Low water level in the water seal chamber.
A. 2,4,5
B. 1,3,5,6
C. 1,2,4,6
D. 2,3,6
Correct Answer: A. 2,4,5
Rationale:
EXAM 2
Medical-Surgical Nursing
Galen College of Nursing
Tested Qs & Verified Answers with Rationales
This Exam Features:
NUR 265 Exam 2 Medical-Surgical Nursing (Galen
College) including 50 Tested questions written
to mirror actual course exams. Covers core Med-
Surg concepts with clear, accurate, and student-
friendly explanations. Perfect for mastering high-priority topics
and boosting exam confidence.
,### 1. The nurse is caring for a client who appears to have developed
a pulmonary embolism (PE). Which of the following ABG results does
the nurse expect the client to initially have?
A. pH = 7.45; PaO₂ = 70 mm Hg; PaCO₂ = 38 mm Hg; HCO₃⁻ = 28 mEq/L;
SaO₂ = 86%.
B. pH = 7.35; PaO₂ = 63 mm Hg; PaCO₂ = 42 mm Hg; HCO₃⁻ = 26 mEq/L;
SaO₂ = 84%.
C. pH = 7.50; PaO₂ = 79 mm Hg; PaCO₂ = 32 mm Hg; HCO₃⁻ = 23 mEq/L;
SaO₂ = 88%.
D. pH = 7.31; PaO₂ = 73 mm Hg; PaCO₂ = 50 mm Hg; HCO₃⁻ = 22 mEq/L;
SaO₂ = 85%.
Correct Answer: C. pH = 7.50; PaO₂ = 79 mm Hg; PaCO₂ = 32 mm Hg;
HCO₃⁻ = 23 mEq/L; SaO₂ = 88%.
Rationale:
Pulmonary embolism typically causes hypoxemia and respiratory alkalosis
initially due to hyperventilation triggered by hypoxemia and stimulation of
respiratory centers. This results in a high pH (alkalemia) and low PaCO₂
(hypocapnia). PaO₂ may be mildly decreased, and SaO₂ is decreased due
to impaired gas exchange. Other options show either normal or acidotic
states which are less consistent with early PE.
---
### 2. The nurse working in an acute care setting is caring for assigned
clients. The nurse should recognize that at greatest risk for developing a
ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) mismatch is the client who
A. requires the use of opioid analgesics to control pain.
B. receives hemodialysis for chronic kidney disease (CKD).
C. has a pulmonary embolism (PE).
, D. uses a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine for sleep
apnea.
Correct Answer: C. has a pulmonary embolism (PE).
Rationale:
A PE causes obstruction in pulmonary arteries, leading to blood flow being
blocked to ventilated areas—resulting in a V/Q mismatch (ventilation
present but perfusion impaired). Opioids depress respiratory drive but are
less directly related to V/Q mismatch, and CPAP supports airway patency
without causing mismatch. Hemodialysis impacts kidneys, not
ventilation/perfusion directly.
---
### 3. The nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube. Which
assessment findings from the box below require the nurse to
immediately notify the primary health care provider (PHCP)?
1. Continuous bubbling in the suction control chamber.
2. Tracheal deviation.
3. Tidaling in the water seal chamber with breathing.
4. 100 mL of drainage within an hour.
5. Visibility of the eyelets of the chest tube.
6. Low water level in the water seal chamber.
A. 2,4,5
B. 1,3,5,6
C. 1,2,4,6
D. 2,3,6
Correct Answer: A. 2,4,5
Rationale:
