NUR 170: Medical-Surgical Nursing
Exam 2 Review
2026/2027 | 65 Questions with Correct Answers and Rationales
Institutional Course Assessment Practice Review
,Table of Contents
Introduction
Section I: Cardiovascular Nursing Management (Questions 1-22)
Hypertension (Questions 1-5)
Coronary Artery Disease (Questions 6-10)
Myocardial Infarction (Questions 11-14)
Heart Failure (Questions 15-19)
EKG Fundamentals (Questions 20-22)
Section II: Respiratory Nursing Management (Questions 23-42)
COPD (Questions 23-30)
Asthma (Questions 31-36)
Pneumonia (Questions 37-39)
Pulmonary Embolism (Questions 40-42)
Section III: Gastrointestinal Nursing Management (Questions 43-56)
Peptic Ulcer Disease (Questions 43-47)
GI Bleeding (Questions 48-51)
Liver Cirrhosis (Questions 52-55)
Pancreatitis (Question 56)
Section IV: Nursing Process, Medication Safety, Prioritization & Patient Education (Questions 57-65)
Nursing Process & Clinical Judgment (Questions 57-58)
Medication Administration & Safety (Questions 59-60)
Patient Education & Discharge Planning (Questions 61-62)
Prioritization & Delegation (Questions 63-64)
Legal/Ethical (Question 65)
References
,Introduction
This NUR 170 Exam 2 Review covers the major content areas tested on the second examination:
cardiovascular nursing management (~30-35%), respiratory nursing management (~25-30%),
gastrointestinal nursing management (~15-20%), and nursing process, medication safety, prioritization,
and patient education (~15-20%). The 65 practice questions are designed at the application and analysis
level consistent with NCLEX-RN test plan standards. Content is aligned with the NCLEX-RN
Physiological Integrity domain, specifically Reduction of Risk Potential (9-15%) and Physiological
Adaptation (11-17%). Clinical guidelines referenced include current AHA/ACC cardiovascular
guidelines, GOLD COPD guidelines, GINA asthma guidelines, and IDSA community-acquired
pneumonia recommendations. Each question includes a detailed rationale with clinical reasoning to
support exam preparation.
, Section I: Cardiovascular Nursing Management (Questions 1-22)
Hypertension (Questions 1-5)
Question 1
A nurse is reviewing the JNC guidelines for hypertension classification with a client. The client's blood
pressure reading is 128/82 mmHg. The nurse should classify this reading as which of the following?
A. Normal blood pressure
B. Elevated blood pressure
C. Stage 1 hypertension **[CORRECT ANSWER]**
D. Stage 2 hypertension
Rationale: Per the JNC 8 / ACC/AHA guidelines, Stage 1 hypertension is defined as systolic 130-139 mmHg or
diastolic 80-89 mmHg. This client meets both criteria (128 is elevated, but 82 meets Stage 1 diastolic). Option A is
incorrect because normal is <120/<80. Option B is incorrect because elevated is 120-129/<80. Option D is
incorrect because Stage 2 requires systolic >=140 or diastolic >=90.
Question 2
A client newly diagnosed with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor. Which statement
by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. I should call my provider if I develop a persistent dry cough.
B. I will avoid salt substitutes that contain potassium.
C. It is safe to continue taking this medication during pregnancy. **[CORRECT ANSWER]**
D. I should sit up slowly from a lying position to avoid dizziness.
Rationale: ACE inhibitors such as lisinopril are contraindicated in pregnancy due to risk of fetal renal
abnormalities and injury (FDA Pregnancy Category D). Options A, B, and D demonstrate correct understanding:
ACE-I commonly causes a dry cough (option A), potassium-sparing effect means avoiding salt substitutes (option
B), and orthostatic hypotension is a common side effect (option D).
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client taking metoprolol, a beta-blocker, for hypertension. Which assessment
finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Heart rate of 56 bpm **[CORRECT ANSWER]**
B. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg
Exam 2 Review
2026/2027 | 65 Questions with Correct Answers and Rationales
Institutional Course Assessment Practice Review
,Table of Contents
Introduction
Section I: Cardiovascular Nursing Management (Questions 1-22)
Hypertension (Questions 1-5)
Coronary Artery Disease (Questions 6-10)
Myocardial Infarction (Questions 11-14)
Heart Failure (Questions 15-19)
EKG Fundamentals (Questions 20-22)
Section II: Respiratory Nursing Management (Questions 23-42)
COPD (Questions 23-30)
Asthma (Questions 31-36)
Pneumonia (Questions 37-39)
Pulmonary Embolism (Questions 40-42)
Section III: Gastrointestinal Nursing Management (Questions 43-56)
Peptic Ulcer Disease (Questions 43-47)
GI Bleeding (Questions 48-51)
Liver Cirrhosis (Questions 52-55)
Pancreatitis (Question 56)
Section IV: Nursing Process, Medication Safety, Prioritization & Patient Education (Questions 57-65)
Nursing Process & Clinical Judgment (Questions 57-58)
Medication Administration & Safety (Questions 59-60)
Patient Education & Discharge Planning (Questions 61-62)
Prioritization & Delegation (Questions 63-64)
Legal/Ethical (Question 65)
References
,Introduction
This NUR 170 Exam 2 Review covers the major content areas tested on the second examination:
cardiovascular nursing management (~30-35%), respiratory nursing management (~25-30%),
gastrointestinal nursing management (~15-20%), and nursing process, medication safety, prioritization,
and patient education (~15-20%). The 65 practice questions are designed at the application and analysis
level consistent with NCLEX-RN test plan standards. Content is aligned with the NCLEX-RN
Physiological Integrity domain, specifically Reduction of Risk Potential (9-15%) and Physiological
Adaptation (11-17%). Clinical guidelines referenced include current AHA/ACC cardiovascular
guidelines, GOLD COPD guidelines, GINA asthma guidelines, and IDSA community-acquired
pneumonia recommendations. Each question includes a detailed rationale with clinical reasoning to
support exam preparation.
, Section I: Cardiovascular Nursing Management (Questions 1-22)
Hypertension (Questions 1-5)
Question 1
A nurse is reviewing the JNC guidelines for hypertension classification with a client. The client's blood
pressure reading is 128/82 mmHg. The nurse should classify this reading as which of the following?
A. Normal blood pressure
B. Elevated blood pressure
C. Stage 1 hypertension **[CORRECT ANSWER]**
D. Stage 2 hypertension
Rationale: Per the JNC 8 / ACC/AHA guidelines, Stage 1 hypertension is defined as systolic 130-139 mmHg or
diastolic 80-89 mmHg. This client meets both criteria (128 is elevated, but 82 meets Stage 1 diastolic). Option A is
incorrect because normal is <120/<80. Option B is incorrect because elevated is 120-129/<80. Option D is
incorrect because Stage 2 requires systolic >=140 or diastolic >=90.
Question 2
A client newly diagnosed with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor. Which statement
by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. I should call my provider if I develop a persistent dry cough.
B. I will avoid salt substitutes that contain potassium.
C. It is safe to continue taking this medication during pregnancy. **[CORRECT ANSWER]**
D. I should sit up slowly from a lying position to avoid dizziness.
Rationale: ACE inhibitors such as lisinopril are contraindicated in pregnancy due to risk of fetal renal
abnormalities and injury (FDA Pregnancy Category D). Options A, B, and D demonstrate correct understanding:
ACE-I commonly causes a dry cough (option A), potassium-sparing effect means avoiding salt substitutes (option
B), and orthostatic hypotension is a common side effect (option D).
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client taking metoprolol, a beta-blocker, for hypertension. Which assessment
finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Heart rate of 56 bpm **[CORRECT ANSWER]**
B. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg
