Page |1
NUR 170 EXAM 3 MED SURG ACTUAL EXAM [ QUESTION 1- 200] AND
ANSWERS UPDATED 2026/2027| 100% VERIFIED|DETAILED RATIONALES
–PASS GUARANTEED A+ GRADED |INSTANT DOWNLOAD
Introduction:
**This NUR 170 Exam 3 Med Surg practice set is an original, exam-style study resource
designed to help nursing students strengthen clinical judgment, prioritization, assessment,
intervention, and evaluation skills commonly tested in medical-surgical nursing. It covers major
concepts involving adult health alterations, nursing assessment, recognition of complications,
safe medication administration, postoperative care, fluid and electrolyte balance, mobility,
infection prevention, and patient education. The questions emphasize application rather than
simple memorization, using realistic clinical scenarios that require the student to identify the
most appropriate nursing action. Each item includes one best answer followed by a detailed
rationale explaining the clinical reasoning behind the answer and why the alternatives are less
appropriate. This resource should be used for preparation alongside your course materials,
instructor guidance, and the official NUR 170 objectives. It is original practice material and is
not a reproduction of a confidential or proprietary university examination. Consistent practice
with these questions can improve recognition of priority findings, delegation decisions, safety
interventions, and evidence-based nursing care.**
Core Domains Covered:
1. Cardiovascular and Peripheral Vascular Disorders — Assessment, complications, nursing
interventions, hemodynamic stability, and patient education.
2. Respiratory Disorders — Oxygenation, airway management, respiratory assessment, acute
deterioration, and nursing priorities.
3. Neurologic Disorders — Neurologic assessment, stroke-related care, seizure precautions,
increased intracranial pressure, and safety.
4. Musculoskeletal Disorders — Fractures, casts, traction, mobility, postoperative orthopedic
care, and complications.
5. Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance — Recognition of abnormalities, laboratory
interpretation, monitoring, and appropriate interventions.
6. Infection, Inflammation, and Immune Responses — Infection prevention, assessment of
systemic complications, isolation principles, and nursing management.
7. Perioperative and Postoperative Nursing Care — Preoperative preparation, postoperative
assessment, complications, pain management, and discharge teaching.
,Page |2
8. Clinical Judgment, Prioritization, Delegation, and Patient Safety — ABCs, acute
deterioration, nursing process, delegation, communication, and prevention of adverse events.
QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A postoperative patient suddenly develops shortness of breath, tachycardia, chest discomfort, and
an oxygen saturation of 86% on room air. Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Encourage the patient to ambulate
B) Apply supplemental oxygen and rapidly assess respiratory status
C) Administer the prescribed oral analgesic
D) Place the patient in a supine position
Rationale: The patient demonstrates acute hypoxemia and possible pulmonary embolic
complications. Oxygenation and airway/breathing assessment take priority. Ambulation could
worsen the patient's condition, an oral analgesic does not address the immediate threat, and
supine positioning may impair ventilation.**
Question 2
A patient with heart failure reports increasing dyspnea and difficulty sleeping flat. Which
assessment finding requires the most immediate attention?
A) Mild ankle edema
B) Weight gain of one kilogram over one week
C) Crackles accompanied by severe respiratory distress
D) Fatigue after routine activity
_Rationale: Severe respiratory distress with crackles may indicate acute pulmonary congestion
and impaired oxygenation. This is more immediately life-threatening than mild edema, gradual
weight gain, or activity-related fatigue.**
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a patient who has just returned from cardiac catheterization through the
femoral artery. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A) Mild soreness at the insertion site
B) Small amount of bruising
C) Heart rate of 82 beats/minute
D) Rapidly enlarging hematoma at the insertion site
,Page |3
_Rationale: A rapidly enlarging hematoma can indicate significant bleeding following arterial
catheterization. The nurse should immediately assess the site and circulation and follow facility
protocol for hemorrhage management. Mild soreness and limited bruising can occur after the
procedure, while a heart rate of 82 is not concerning by itself.**
Question 4
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is receiving oxygen therapy. Which
nursing action is most appropriate?
A) Administer the highest possible oxygen concentration
B) Titrate oxygen according to the prescribed target and monitor respiratory status
C) Discontinue oxygen whenever the patient becomes sleepy
D) Encourage prolonged breath-holding exercises
_Rationale: Oxygen should be administered safely and titrated to the prescribed target while
monitoring respiratory status. Excessive oxygen can be inappropriate in some patients with
chronic respiratory disease. Oxygen should not be stopped simply because a patient becomes
sleepy, and breath-holding is not an appropriate routine intervention.**
Question 5
A patient with pneumonia has a respiratory rate of 32/minute, oxygen saturation of 84%, and
increasing confusion. What is the nurse's priority?
A) Obtain a dietary history
B) Encourage oral fluids
C) Address impaired oxygenation immediately and notify the appropriate provider or
rapid-response team
D) Provide routine discharge instructions
_Rationale: Severe hypoxemia accompanied by altered mental status represents potential
respiratory failure. Immediate oxygenation assessment and escalation of care are priorities.
Nutrition, hydration, and discharge teaching are secondary until the patient's acute condition is
stabilized.**
Question 6
A patient with asthma develops wheezing and increasing difficulty speaking. Which finding
indicates severe deterioration?
A) Mild expiratory wheezing
B) Productive cough
C) Respiratory rate of 20/minute
D) Markedly diminished or absent breath sounds
, Page |4
_Rationale: A sudden decrease or absence of wheezing in a patient who remains severely
symptomatic can indicate minimal airflow, which is an emergency. Mild wheezing may occur
with asthma, while the other findings do not by themselves indicate the same degree of airway
compromise.**
Question 7
A patient with a recent stroke has difficulty swallowing. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A) Give thin liquids quickly
B) Encourage the patient to drink through a straw
C) Keep the patient NPO until swallowing safety has been evaluated
D) Place food on the affected side of the mouth
_Rationale: Dysphagia after stroke creates a significant aspiration risk. Oral intake should be
withheld until swallowing ability has been evaluated. Thin liquids may be particularly difficult
for some patients with dysphagia, and food placement should follow individualized swallowing
recommendations.**
Question 8
A patient with increased intracranial pressure is being monitored. Which change is most
concerning?
A) Mild headache
B) Decreased appetite
C) Stable pupil size
D) New decline in level of consciousness
_Rationale: A declining level of consciousness can indicate worsening cerebral dysfunction and
increasing intracranial pressure. It requires prompt assessment and escalation. Stable findings
and mild nonspecific symptoms are less urgent.**
Question 9
A patient begins having a generalized seizure while in bed. What should the nurse do first?
A) Restrain the patient's arms
B) Insert an oral airway
C) Protect the patient from injury and maintain a safe environment
D) Give oral medication immediately
_Rationale: During a seizure, the priority is preventing injury and maintaining safety. The nurse
should not restrain the patient or place objects in the mouth. Oral medications should not be
given during active seizure activity because of aspiration risk.**
NUR 170 EXAM 3 MED SURG ACTUAL EXAM [ QUESTION 1- 200] AND
ANSWERS UPDATED 2026/2027| 100% VERIFIED|DETAILED RATIONALES
–PASS GUARANTEED A+ GRADED |INSTANT DOWNLOAD
Introduction:
**This NUR 170 Exam 3 Med Surg practice set is an original, exam-style study resource
designed to help nursing students strengthen clinical judgment, prioritization, assessment,
intervention, and evaluation skills commonly tested in medical-surgical nursing. It covers major
concepts involving adult health alterations, nursing assessment, recognition of complications,
safe medication administration, postoperative care, fluid and electrolyte balance, mobility,
infection prevention, and patient education. The questions emphasize application rather than
simple memorization, using realistic clinical scenarios that require the student to identify the
most appropriate nursing action. Each item includes one best answer followed by a detailed
rationale explaining the clinical reasoning behind the answer and why the alternatives are less
appropriate. This resource should be used for preparation alongside your course materials,
instructor guidance, and the official NUR 170 objectives. It is original practice material and is
not a reproduction of a confidential or proprietary university examination. Consistent practice
with these questions can improve recognition of priority findings, delegation decisions, safety
interventions, and evidence-based nursing care.**
Core Domains Covered:
1. Cardiovascular and Peripheral Vascular Disorders — Assessment, complications, nursing
interventions, hemodynamic stability, and patient education.
2. Respiratory Disorders — Oxygenation, airway management, respiratory assessment, acute
deterioration, and nursing priorities.
3. Neurologic Disorders — Neurologic assessment, stroke-related care, seizure precautions,
increased intracranial pressure, and safety.
4. Musculoskeletal Disorders — Fractures, casts, traction, mobility, postoperative orthopedic
care, and complications.
5. Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance — Recognition of abnormalities, laboratory
interpretation, monitoring, and appropriate interventions.
6. Infection, Inflammation, and Immune Responses — Infection prevention, assessment of
systemic complications, isolation principles, and nursing management.
7. Perioperative and Postoperative Nursing Care — Preoperative preparation, postoperative
assessment, complications, pain management, and discharge teaching.
,Page |2
8. Clinical Judgment, Prioritization, Delegation, and Patient Safety — ABCs, acute
deterioration, nursing process, delegation, communication, and prevention of adverse events.
QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A postoperative patient suddenly develops shortness of breath, tachycardia, chest discomfort, and
an oxygen saturation of 86% on room air. Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Encourage the patient to ambulate
B) Apply supplemental oxygen and rapidly assess respiratory status
C) Administer the prescribed oral analgesic
D) Place the patient in a supine position
Rationale: The patient demonstrates acute hypoxemia and possible pulmonary embolic
complications. Oxygenation and airway/breathing assessment take priority. Ambulation could
worsen the patient's condition, an oral analgesic does not address the immediate threat, and
supine positioning may impair ventilation.**
Question 2
A patient with heart failure reports increasing dyspnea and difficulty sleeping flat. Which
assessment finding requires the most immediate attention?
A) Mild ankle edema
B) Weight gain of one kilogram over one week
C) Crackles accompanied by severe respiratory distress
D) Fatigue after routine activity
_Rationale: Severe respiratory distress with crackles may indicate acute pulmonary congestion
and impaired oxygenation. This is more immediately life-threatening than mild edema, gradual
weight gain, or activity-related fatigue.**
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a patient who has just returned from cardiac catheterization through the
femoral artery. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A) Mild soreness at the insertion site
B) Small amount of bruising
C) Heart rate of 82 beats/minute
D) Rapidly enlarging hematoma at the insertion site
,Page |3
_Rationale: A rapidly enlarging hematoma can indicate significant bleeding following arterial
catheterization. The nurse should immediately assess the site and circulation and follow facility
protocol for hemorrhage management. Mild soreness and limited bruising can occur after the
procedure, while a heart rate of 82 is not concerning by itself.**
Question 4
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is receiving oxygen therapy. Which
nursing action is most appropriate?
A) Administer the highest possible oxygen concentration
B) Titrate oxygen according to the prescribed target and monitor respiratory status
C) Discontinue oxygen whenever the patient becomes sleepy
D) Encourage prolonged breath-holding exercises
_Rationale: Oxygen should be administered safely and titrated to the prescribed target while
monitoring respiratory status. Excessive oxygen can be inappropriate in some patients with
chronic respiratory disease. Oxygen should not be stopped simply because a patient becomes
sleepy, and breath-holding is not an appropriate routine intervention.**
Question 5
A patient with pneumonia has a respiratory rate of 32/minute, oxygen saturation of 84%, and
increasing confusion. What is the nurse's priority?
A) Obtain a dietary history
B) Encourage oral fluids
C) Address impaired oxygenation immediately and notify the appropriate provider or
rapid-response team
D) Provide routine discharge instructions
_Rationale: Severe hypoxemia accompanied by altered mental status represents potential
respiratory failure. Immediate oxygenation assessment and escalation of care are priorities.
Nutrition, hydration, and discharge teaching are secondary until the patient's acute condition is
stabilized.**
Question 6
A patient with asthma develops wheezing and increasing difficulty speaking. Which finding
indicates severe deterioration?
A) Mild expiratory wheezing
B) Productive cough
C) Respiratory rate of 20/minute
D) Markedly diminished or absent breath sounds
, Page |4
_Rationale: A sudden decrease or absence of wheezing in a patient who remains severely
symptomatic can indicate minimal airflow, which is an emergency. Mild wheezing may occur
with asthma, while the other findings do not by themselves indicate the same degree of airway
compromise.**
Question 7
A patient with a recent stroke has difficulty swallowing. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A) Give thin liquids quickly
B) Encourage the patient to drink through a straw
C) Keep the patient NPO until swallowing safety has been evaluated
D) Place food on the affected side of the mouth
_Rationale: Dysphagia after stroke creates a significant aspiration risk. Oral intake should be
withheld until swallowing ability has been evaluated. Thin liquids may be particularly difficult
for some patients with dysphagia, and food placement should follow individualized swallowing
recommendations.**
Question 8
A patient with increased intracranial pressure is being monitored. Which change is most
concerning?
A) Mild headache
B) Decreased appetite
C) Stable pupil size
D) New decline in level of consciousness
_Rationale: A declining level of consciousness can indicate worsening cerebral dysfunction and
increasing intracranial pressure. It requires prompt assessment and escalation. Stable findings
and mild nonspecific symptoms are less urgent.**
Question 9
A patient begins having a generalized seizure while in bed. What should the nurse do first?
A) Restrain the patient's arms
B) Insert an oral airway
C) Protect the patient from injury and maintain a safe environment
D) Give oral medication immediately
_Rationale: During a seizure, the priority is preventing injury and maintaining safety. The nurse
should not restrain the patient or place objects in the mouth. Oral medications should not be
given during active seizure activity because of aspiration risk.**
