MED-SURG EXAM 2 TEST BANK | GALEN COLLEGE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026/2027 EXAM
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
Med-Surg Exam 2 Test Bank |
Galen College Questions &
Answers 2026/2027
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
100 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document features 100 verified questions with correct answers and detailed rationales, primarily
focusing on medical-surgical nursing concepts. It serves as a valuable resource for students preparing for
exams, facilitating study and review, and aiding in certification preparation by providing clear explanations
of key principles and practices.
CONTENTS
01 Seizure Management Q1–Q10
02 Parkinson's Disease Q11–Q18
03 Neurological Assessment Q19–Q28
04 Multiple Sclerosis Q29–Q33
05 Respiratory Conditions Q34–Q41
06 Pneumonia Management Q42–Q44
07 Stroke Care Q45–Q48
08 Additional Questions Q49–Q100
Page 1
, E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 100
A 62-year-old male patient with a history of seizures is admitted for neurological evaluation. During his admission, he has a
generalized tonic-clonic seizure lasting 2 minutes. What is the nurse's priority action immediately following the seizure?
A) Insert a padded tongue depressor to prevent biting.
B) Secure the patient's limbs to the bed to prevent movement.
C) Place the patient in a recovery position to maintain airway patency.
D) Increase the head of the bed to facilitate breathing.
CORRECT ANSWER
C) Place the patient in a recovery position to maintain airway patency.
RATIONALE
Maintaining airway patency is critical immediately after a seizure, as patients may be at risk for aspiration or airway obstruction.
Placing the patient in a recovery position helps protect the airway while monitoring their level of consciousness and vital signs.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 100
A patient in the emergency department exhibits new-onset seizures and is prescribed phenytoin. The charge nurse must
ensure that phenytoin is administered correctly to prevent complications. What should the nurse prioritize during this
process?
A) Confirm that phenytoin is mixed with dextrose for administration
B) Educate the patient about potential side effects, including hypertension
C) Monitor the intravenous site for signs of infiltration to prevent tissue damage
D) Assess the patient’s vital signs for changes due to rapid onset of action
CORRECT ANSWER
C) Monitor the intravenous site for signs of infiltration to prevent tissue damage
RATIONALE
Phenytoin requires careful intravenous administration due to the risk of tissue vesication if infiltrated, making monitoring at the IV
site critical to prevent serious complications.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 100
As the charge nurse observes a patient in room 202 experiencing a tonic-clonic seizure lasting approximately 45 seconds,
she must prioritize actions to ensure the patient's safety. What is the first action the charge nurse should take?
Page 2
,A) Place a pillow under the patient's head.
B) Roll the patient onto their side.
C) Assess the patient's airway patency.
D) Call for the physician immediately.
CORRECT ANSWER
B) Roll the patient onto their side.
RATIONALE
Rolling the patient onto their side during a seizure helps maintain airway patency and reduces the risk of aspiration, which is critical
for patient safety in this emergency situation.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 100
After a patient experiences a generalized seizure, the nurse notes the patient exhibits postictal confusion and memory
loss concerning events prior to the seizure. Given these findings and the potential for misdiagnosis, what should the nurse
consider as the most likely explanation for this condition?
A) Status epilepticus
B) Complex epilepsy
C) Transient ischemic attack
D) Alcohol withdrawal seizure
CORRECT ANSWER
B) Complex epilepsy
RATIONALE
Postictal confusion and memory deficits are characteristic of complex epilepsy, which can mimic other conditions like dementia if
not properly identified. Accurate diagnosis is crucial to ensure appropriate management and treatment.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 100
A patient presents to the emergency department after experiencing a generalized tonic-clonic seizure lasting 3 minutes,
with a history of similar events occurring twice in the past month. Considering the potential diagnosis, what should the
on-call resident prioritize for further evaluation?
A) A lumbar puncture to rule out meningitis
B) A detailed patient history including medication adherence
Page 3
, C) An immediate EEG to assess brain activity
D) A CT scan to check for structural abnormalities
CORRECT ANSWER
C) An immediate EEG to assess brain activity
RATIONALE
An immediate EEG is critical for diagnosing epilepsy and determining seizure types; this allows for timely intervention while ruling
out other neurological issues that may not be apparent through imaging alone.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 100
A patient with a known diagnosis of epilepsy presents with a Phenytoin serum level of 8 mcg/mL, below the therapeutic
range of 10 to 20 mcg/mL. Given this result, the charge nurse must prioritize which of the following actions?
A) Increase the frequency of neurological assessments
B) Administer the scheduled Phenytoin dose
C) Initiate seizure precautions
D) Consult with the prescribing physician regarding the medication
CORRECT ANSWER
C) Initiate seizure precautions
RATIONALE
A low Phenytoin level increases the risk of seizure activity, necessitating the implementation of seizure precautions to ensure
patient safety until the medication can be adjusted appropriately.
Q7 QUESTION 7 OF 100
A patient in the emergency department presents with a prolonged seizure lasting over 30 minutes, raising the suspicion of
status epilepticus. The attending physician orders Lorazepam, and the on-call nurse must ensure which reversal agent is
readily available to counteract potential respiratory depression?
A) Naloxone
B) Flumazenil
C) Magnesium Sulfate
D) Protamine
CORRECT ANSWER
B) Flumazenil
Page 4
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
Med-Surg Exam 2 Test Bank |
Galen College Questions &
Answers 2026/2027
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
100 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document features 100 verified questions with correct answers and detailed rationales, primarily
focusing on medical-surgical nursing concepts. It serves as a valuable resource for students preparing for
exams, facilitating study and review, and aiding in certification preparation by providing clear explanations
of key principles and practices.
CONTENTS
01 Seizure Management Q1–Q10
02 Parkinson's Disease Q11–Q18
03 Neurological Assessment Q19–Q28
04 Multiple Sclerosis Q29–Q33
05 Respiratory Conditions Q34–Q41
06 Pneumonia Management Q42–Q44
07 Stroke Care Q45–Q48
08 Additional Questions Q49–Q100
Page 1
, E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 100
A 62-year-old male patient with a history of seizures is admitted for neurological evaluation. During his admission, he has a
generalized tonic-clonic seizure lasting 2 minutes. What is the nurse's priority action immediately following the seizure?
A) Insert a padded tongue depressor to prevent biting.
B) Secure the patient's limbs to the bed to prevent movement.
C) Place the patient in a recovery position to maintain airway patency.
D) Increase the head of the bed to facilitate breathing.
CORRECT ANSWER
C) Place the patient in a recovery position to maintain airway patency.
RATIONALE
Maintaining airway patency is critical immediately after a seizure, as patients may be at risk for aspiration or airway obstruction.
Placing the patient in a recovery position helps protect the airway while monitoring their level of consciousness and vital signs.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 100
A patient in the emergency department exhibits new-onset seizures and is prescribed phenytoin. The charge nurse must
ensure that phenytoin is administered correctly to prevent complications. What should the nurse prioritize during this
process?
A) Confirm that phenytoin is mixed with dextrose for administration
B) Educate the patient about potential side effects, including hypertension
C) Monitor the intravenous site for signs of infiltration to prevent tissue damage
D) Assess the patient’s vital signs for changes due to rapid onset of action
CORRECT ANSWER
C) Monitor the intravenous site for signs of infiltration to prevent tissue damage
RATIONALE
Phenytoin requires careful intravenous administration due to the risk of tissue vesication if infiltrated, making monitoring at the IV
site critical to prevent serious complications.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 100
As the charge nurse observes a patient in room 202 experiencing a tonic-clonic seizure lasting approximately 45 seconds,
she must prioritize actions to ensure the patient's safety. What is the first action the charge nurse should take?
Page 2
,A) Place a pillow under the patient's head.
B) Roll the patient onto their side.
C) Assess the patient's airway patency.
D) Call for the physician immediately.
CORRECT ANSWER
B) Roll the patient onto their side.
RATIONALE
Rolling the patient onto their side during a seizure helps maintain airway patency and reduces the risk of aspiration, which is critical
for patient safety in this emergency situation.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 100
After a patient experiences a generalized seizure, the nurse notes the patient exhibits postictal confusion and memory
loss concerning events prior to the seizure. Given these findings and the potential for misdiagnosis, what should the nurse
consider as the most likely explanation for this condition?
A) Status epilepticus
B) Complex epilepsy
C) Transient ischemic attack
D) Alcohol withdrawal seizure
CORRECT ANSWER
B) Complex epilepsy
RATIONALE
Postictal confusion and memory deficits are characteristic of complex epilepsy, which can mimic other conditions like dementia if
not properly identified. Accurate diagnosis is crucial to ensure appropriate management and treatment.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 100
A patient presents to the emergency department after experiencing a generalized tonic-clonic seizure lasting 3 minutes,
with a history of similar events occurring twice in the past month. Considering the potential diagnosis, what should the
on-call resident prioritize for further evaluation?
A) A lumbar puncture to rule out meningitis
B) A detailed patient history including medication adherence
Page 3
, C) An immediate EEG to assess brain activity
D) A CT scan to check for structural abnormalities
CORRECT ANSWER
C) An immediate EEG to assess brain activity
RATIONALE
An immediate EEG is critical for diagnosing epilepsy and determining seizure types; this allows for timely intervention while ruling
out other neurological issues that may not be apparent through imaging alone.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 100
A patient with a known diagnosis of epilepsy presents with a Phenytoin serum level of 8 mcg/mL, below the therapeutic
range of 10 to 20 mcg/mL. Given this result, the charge nurse must prioritize which of the following actions?
A) Increase the frequency of neurological assessments
B) Administer the scheduled Phenytoin dose
C) Initiate seizure precautions
D) Consult with the prescribing physician regarding the medication
CORRECT ANSWER
C) Initiate seizure precautions
RATIONALE
A low Phenytoin level increases the risk of seizure activity, necessitating the implementation of seizure precautions to ensure
patient safety until the medication can be adjusted appropriately.
Q7 QUESTION 7 OF 100
A patient in the emergency department presents with a prolonged seizure lasting over 30 minutes, raising the suspicion of
status epilepticus. The attending physician orders Lorazepam, and the on-call nurse must ensure which reversal agent is
readily available to counteract potential respiratory depression?
A) Naloxone
B) Flumazenil
C) Magnesium Sulfate
D) Protamine
CORRECT ANSWER
B) Flumazenil
Page 4
