NUR 170 EXAM 3 CONCEPTS OF MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
*- Respiratory System Disorders and Nursing Management*
*- Cardiovascular System Diseases and Interventions*
*- Endocrine Disorders and Diabetes Management*
*- Gastrointestinal System Conditions*
*- Renal and Urinary System Disorders*
*- Neurological Conditions and Seizure Management*
*- Infectious Diseases and Immune Response*
*- Perioperative Nursing Care*
*- Pain Management and Palliative Care*
*- Ethics, Legal Compliance, and Professional Standards*
Introduction
This exam assessment is designed to evaluate comprehensive knowledge and clinical decision-making skills
essential for medical-surgical nursing practice. The test covers critical subject areas including respiratory,
cardiovascular, endocrine, gastrointestinal, renal, and neurological systems, along with perioperative care,
pain management, and professional ethics. Students will encounter multiple-choice questions and scenario-
based clinical situations that emphasize real-world application of nursing principles. The assessment
prioritizes critical thinking, prioritization skills, and evidence-based interventions that nurses must
demonstrate when caring for adult patients in medical-surgical settings. Success on this exam indicates
readiness for clinical practice and demonstrates mastery of core concepts required for safe, effective nursing
care.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
,Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient with COPD who is receiving oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. The patient's
oxygen saturation is 88%. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Increase oxygen to 4 L/min
B. Document the finding and continue monitoring
C. Assess the patient's respiratory status and lung sounds
D. Call the respiratory therapist immediately
🟢 C. Assess the patient's respiratory status and lung sounds
🔴 RATIONALE: Before changing oxygen therapy, the nurse must first assess the patient's complete respiratory
status including lung sounds, work of breathing, and mental status. COPD patients often have a baseline
saturation of 88-92%, and increasing oxygen without assessment could suppress their hypoxic drive.
Assessment guides appropriate intervention.
Question 2
Which finding in a patient with acute myocardial infarction requires immediate intervention?
A. Blood pressure 110/70 mmHg
B. Heart rate 92 beats/min
C. Oxygen saturation 89%
D. Pain level 3/10
🟢 C. Oxygen saturation 89%
,🔴 RATIONALE: Oxygen saturation below 90% indicates hypoxemia and requires immediate intervention in
MI patients to prevent further myocardial damage. The other findings are within acceptable ranges for an MI
patient. Hypoxemia compromises oxygen delivery to the heart muscle.
Question 3
A patient with type 1 diabetes presents with blood glucose of 48 mg/dL, diaphoresis, and trembling. What is the
priority nursing action?
A. Administer 50% dextrose IV
B. Give 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates
C. Check glucose again in 30 minutes
D. Administer insulin subcutaneously
🟢 B. Give 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates
🔴 RATIONALE: For conscious patients with hypoglycemia (blood glucose <70 mg/dL), the "Rule of 15"
applies: give 15g fast-acting carbs, recheck in 15 minutes. IV dextrose is for unconscious patients. insulin would
worsen hypoglycemia.
Question 4
Which assessment finding is most associated with lung disease?
A. Cough
B. Dyspnea
C. Chest pain
D. Sputum production
, 🟢 B. Dyspnea
🔴 RATIONALE: Dyspnea (difficulty breathing) is the most characteristic and concerning symptom of lung
disease, indicating impaired gas exchange or airway obstruction. While cough, chest pain, and sputum can
occur with lung disease, dyspnea is the primary indicator of respiratory compromise.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a patient 4 days postoperative who suddenly develops difficulty breathing and sharp chest
pain. The nurse has called RRT, raised HOB, and applied oxygen. What is the NEXT action?
A. Auscultate lung sounds and apply pulse oximeter
B. Initiate cardiac monitoring and prepare alteplase
C. Connect to continuous pulse oximeter and auscultate lungs
D. Apply antiembolism stockings and initiate cardiac monitoring
🟢 C. Connect to continuous pulse oximeter and auscultate lungs
🔴 RATIONALE: This patient likely has a pulmonary embolism (PE). After initial stabilization (RRT, oxygen,
HOB), the nurse must assess oxygenation continuously and evaluate lung sounds. Alteplase is prepared if PE is
confirmed, but assessment comes first. Antiembolism stockings are contraindicated with suspected PE.
Question 6
Which client is at greatest risk for developing type 2 diabetes?
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
*- Respiratory System Disorders and Nursing Management*
*- Cardiovascular System Diseases and Interventions*
*- Endocrine Disorders and Diabetes Management*
*- Gastrointestinal System Conditions*
*- Renal and Urinary System Disorders*
*- Neurological Conditions and Seizure Management*
*- Infectious Diseases and Immune Response*
*- Perioperative Nursing Care*
*- Pain Management and Palliative Care*
*- Ethics, Legal Compliance, and Professional Standards*
Introduction
This exam assessment is designed to evaluate comprehensive knowledge and clinical decision-making skills
essential for medical-surgical nursing practice. The test covers critical subject areas including respiratory,
cardiovascular, endocrine, gastrointestinal, renal, and neurological systems, along with perioperative care,
pain management, and professional ethics. Students will encounter multiple-choice questions and scenario-
based clinical situations that emphasize real-world application of nursing principles. The assessment
prioritizes critical thinking, prioritization skills, and evidence-based interventions that nurses must
demonstrate when caring for adult patients in medical-surgical settings. Success on this exam indicates
readiness for clinical practice and demonstrates mastery of core concepts required for safe, effective nursing
care.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
,Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient with COPD who is receiving oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. The patient's
oxygen saturation is 88%. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Increase oxygen to 4 L/min
B. Document the finding and continue monitoring
C. Assess the patient's respiratory status and lung sounds
D. Call the respiratory therapist immediately
🟢 C. Assess the patient's respiratory status and lung sounds
🔴 RATIONALE: Before changing oxygen therapy, the nurse must first assess the patient's complete respiratory
status including lung sounds, work of breathing, and mental status. COPD patients often have a baseline
saturation of 88-92%, and increasing oxygen without assessment could suppress their hypoxic drive.
Assessment guides appropriate intervention.
Question 2
Which finding in a patient with acute myocardial infarction requires immediate intervention?
A. Blood pressure 110/70 mmHg
B. Heart rate 92 beats/min
C. Oxygen saturation 89%
D. Pain level 3/10
🟢 C. Oxygen saturation 89%
,🔴 RATIONALE: Oxygen saturation below 90% indicates hypoxemia and requires immediate intervention in
MI patients to prevent further myocardial damage. The other findings are within acceptable ranges for an MI
patient. Hypoxemia compromises oxygen delivery to the heart muscle.
Question 3
A patient with type 1 diabetes presents with blood glucose of 48 mg/dL, diaphoresis, and trembling. What is the
priority nursing action?
A. Administer 50% dextrose IV
B. Give 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates
C. Check glucose again in 30 minutes
D. Administer insulin subcutaneously
🟢 B. Give 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates
🔴 RATIONALE: For conscious patients with hypoglycemia (blood glucose <70 mg/dL), the "Rule of 15"
applies: give 15g fast-acting carbs, recheck in 15 minutes. IV dextrose is for unconscious patients. insulin would
worsen hypoglycemia.
Question 4
Which assessment finding is most associated with lung disease?
A. Cough
B. Dyspnea
C. Chest pain
D. Sputum production
, 🟢 B. Dyspnea
🔴 RATIONALE: Dyspnea (difficulty breathing) is the most characteristic and concerning symptom of lung
disease, indicating impaired gas exchange or airway obstruction. While cough, chest pain, and sputum can
occur with lung disease, dyspnea is the primary indicator of respiratory compromise.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a patient 4 days postoperative who suddenly develops difficulty breathing and sharp chest
pain. The nurse has called RRT, raised HOB, and applied oxygen. What is the NEXT action?
A. Auscultate lung sounds and apply pulse oximeter
B. Initiate cardiac monitoring and prepare alteplase
C. Connect to continuous pulse oximeter and auscultate lungs
D. Apply antiembolism stockings and initiate cardiac monitoring
🟢 C. Connect to continuous pulse oximeter and auscultate lungs
🔴 RATIONALE: This patient likely has a pulmonary embolism (PE). After initial stabilization (RRT, oxygen,
HOB), the nurse must assess oxygenation continuously and evaluate lung sounds. Alteplase is prepared if PE is
confirmed, but assessment comes first. Antiembolism stockings are contraindicated with suspected PE.
Question 6
Which client is at greatest risk for developing type 2 diabetes?
