NUR242 Medical-Surgical Nursing Exam Questions
and Answers 2026|2027-Galen
Perioperative Nursing
Fluid & Electrolyte Balance
Acid-Base Balance
IV Therapy & Transfusion
Pain Management
Wound Care & Infection Control
Safety & Mobility
Perioperative Nursing
Preoperative fever
Patient scheduled for surgery has a temp of 101.5°F. Priority action?
Answer: Postpone surgery.
Latex allergy
Patient reports latex allergy before surgery. Nursing action?
Answer: Use latex-free supplies and notify OR staff.
NPO rationale
Why NPO after midnight before surgery?
Answer: Prevent aspiration during anesthesia.
Informed consent
Who is responsible for explaining surgery risks?
Answer: The surgeon.
Pre-op teaching
Best time for teaching deep breathing exercises?
Answer: Before surgery.
Fluid & Electrolyte Balance
Hypokalemia ECG
ECG change most associated with hypokalemia?
Answer: Flattened T waves.
Hypernatremia
Na⁺ 155 mEq/L. Priority intervention?
Answer: Administer hypotonic IV fluids.
Hypocalcemia
Positive Chvostek’s sign indicates?
Answer: Hypocalcemia.
, Hyperkalemia
Which medication lowers potassium quickly?
Answer: IV insulin with glucose.
Fluid overload
Patient with crackles, edema, weight gain. Diagnosis?
Answer: Fluid volume excess.
Acid-Base Balance
Respiratory acidosis
ABG: pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 55 mmHg. Diagnosis?
Answer: Respiratory acidosis.
Metabolic alkalosis
Prolonged vomiting leads to?
Answer: Metabolic alkalosis.
Respiratory alkalosis
Cause of respiratory alkalosis?
Answer: Hyperventilation.
Metabolic acidosis
Diabetic ketoacidosis results in?
Answer: Metabolic acidosis.
Compensation
Kidneys compensate for respiratory acidosis by?
Answer: Retaining bicarbonate.
IV Therapy & Transfusion
IV infiltration
Site swollen, cool, painful. Diagnosis?
Answer: Infiltration.
Phlebitis
Redness, warmth, tenderness at IV site. Diagnosis?
Answer: Phlebitis.
Transfusion reaction
Chills, fever, flank pain during transfusion. Diagnosis?
Answer: Acute hemolytic reaction.
Blood transfusion protocol
How long can one unit of blood hang?
Answer: 4 hours maximum.
IV potassium
Safety rule for IV potassium?
and Answers 2026|2027-Galen
Perioperative Nursing
Fluid & Electrolyte Balance
Acid-Base Balance
IV Therapy & Transfusion
Pain Management
Wound Care & Infection Control
Safety & Mobility
Perioperative Nursing
Preoperative fever
Patient scheduled for surgery has a temp of 101.5°F. Priority action?
Answer: Postpone surgery.
Latex allergy
Patient reports latex allergy before surgery. Nursing action?
Answer: Use latex-free supplies and notify OR staff.
NPO rationale
Why NPO after midnight before surgery?
Answer: Prevent aspiration during anesthesia.
Informed consent
Who is responsible for explaining surgery risks?
Answer: The surgeon.
Pre-op teaching
Best time for teaching deep breathing exercises?
Answer: Before surgery.
Fluid & Electrolyte Balance
Hypokalemia ECG
ECG change most associated with hypokalemia?
Answer: Flattened T waves.
Hypernatremia
Na⁺ 155 mEq/L. Priority intervention?
Answer: Administer hypotonic IV fluids.
Hypocalcemia
Positive Chvostek’s sign indicates?
Answer: Hypocalcemia.
, Hyperkalemia
Which medication lowers potassium quickly?
Answer: IV insulin with glucose.
Fluid overload
Patient with crackles, edema, weight gain. Diagnosis?
Answer: Fluid volume excess.
Acid-Base Balance
Respiratory acidosis
ABG: pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 55 mmHg. Diagnosis?
Answer: Respiratory acidosis.
Metabolic alkalosis
Prolonged vomiting leads to?
Answer: Metabolic alkalosis.
Respiratory alkalosis
Cause of respiratory alkalosis?
Answer: Hyperventilation.
Metabolic acidosis
Diabetic ketoacidosis results in?
Answer: Metabolic acidosis.
Compensation
Kidneys compensate for respiratory acidosis by?
Answer: Retaining bicarbonate.
IV Therapy & Transfusion
IV infiltration
Site swollen, cool, painful. Diagnosis?
Answer: Infiltration.
Phlebitis
Redness, warmth, tenderness at IV site. Diagnosis?
Answer: Phlebitis.
Transfusion reaction
Chills, fever, flank pain during transfusion. Diagnosis?
Answer: Acute hemolytic reaction.
Blood transfusion protocol
How long can one unit of blood hang?
Answer: 4 hours maximum.
IV potassium
Safety rule for IV potassium?
