NU 155 EXAM 4 Medical-Surgical Nursing I Galen College
Of Nursing | 2026 –2027 Edition Tested Questions With
Verified Answers & Expert Rationales
1. The nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with a Candida albicans (yeast) infection.
Which of the following findings does the nurse expect to observe?
A) Thin, grayish-white discharge with a fishy odor
B) Cottage cheese-like discharge
C) Thick, purulent yellow-green discharge
D) Frothy, yellow-green discharge
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Cottage cheese-like discharge
EXPERT RATIONALE: Candida albicans (vulvovaginal candidiasis) is characterized by a thick,
white, cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge, vulvar itching, and erythema. It is not associated with a foul
odor. Bacterial vaginosis produces a thin gray discharge with fishy odor, while trichomoniasis produces
frothy yellow-green discharge.
2. The nurse is reinforcing instruction with a client who has gonorrhea. Which of the following statements
by the client indicates a need for further instruction?
A) "I will take all of my antibiotics as prescribed."
B) "I can continue to have sex as long as I am taking antibiotics."
C) "My partner will also need to be treated."
D) "I will return for follow-up testing to ensure the infection is cleared."
CORRECT ANSWER: B) "I can continue to have sex as long as I am taking antibiotics."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Clients with gonorrhea should abstain from sexual activity until treatment is
completed and symptoms have resolved. Continuing sexual activity during treatment can lead to
reinfection and transmission to partners. Both partners must be treated, and follow-up testing (test of cure)
is recommended.
3. The nurse is contributing to a community education program about testicular self-examination (TSE).
Which of the following information should the nurse suggest including?
A) Perform TSE only if you have a family history of testicular cancer.
B) Gently roll each testicle between the thumb and fingers to check for lumps or swelling.
C) TSE should be performed only once per year.
D) Use only one hand to examine both testicles simultaneously.
, CORRECT ANSWER: B) Gently roll each testicle between the thumb and fingers to check for lumps
or swelling.
EXPERT RATIONALE: Testicular self-examination should be performed monthly after a warm
shower when the scrotal skin is relaxed. Each testicle should be examined individually by gently rolling it
between the thumb and fingers to detect any lumps, swelling, or changes in consistency. Early detection
of testicular cancer significantly improves outcomes.
4. The nurse is reinforcing teaching with a female client about breast self-examinations (BSE). Which of
the following should the nurse include as the best time to perform BSE?
A) During menstruation
B) 1 week after the menstrual cycle
C) Mid-cycle regardless of menstrual status
D) Any time is appropriate for BSE
CORRECT ANSWER: B) 1 week after the menstrual cycle
EXPERT RATIONALE: The best time to perform BSE is 1 week after menstruation ends when
breasts are least tender and swollen. Postmenopausal women should perform BSE on the same day each
month. Premenstrual breasts may be tender and lumpy, making it difficult to detect abnormalities.
5. The nurse is assisting the primary health care provider (PHCP) with a pelvic examination for a female
client. The nurse observes the genitalia to have cauliflower-like growths on the vulva. The nurse knows
this assessment data is related to which of the following sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?
A) Herpes simplex virus
B) Human papillomavirus (HPV)
C) Syphilis
D) Chlamydia
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Human papillomavirus (HPV)
EXPERT RATIONALE: Cauliflower-like growths (condylomata acuminata or genital warts) are
characteristic of HPV infection, particularly types 6 and 11. Herpes presents with painful vesicles.
Syphilis presents with a painless chancre. Chlamydia is often asymptomatic or causes mucopurulent
discharge.
6. The nurse is caring for a male client who has testicular torsion. Which of the following findings is
consistent with this diagnosis?
A) Presence of the cremasteric reflex
B) Absence of the cremasteric reflex
C) Painless scrotal swelling
, D) Bilateral testicular enlargement
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Absence of the cremasteric reflex
EXPERT RATIONALE: Testicular torsion is a urological emergency characterized by sudden onset of
severe scrotal pain, absent cremasteric reflex, and elevated testicle. The absence of the cremasteric reflex
(stroking the inner thigh normally causes testicular elevation) is a key diagnostic finding. Immediate
surgical intervention is required to salvage the testicle.
7. The nurse is caring for a male client who is suspected of having benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).
Which of the following symptoms does the nurse expect to observe?
A) Urinary incontinence without urgency
B) Urinary hesitancy
C) Polyuria and excessive thirst
D) Painless hematuria
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Urinary hesitancy
EXPERT RATIONALE: BPH causes enlargement of the prostate gland that compresses the urethra,
leading to obstructive symptoms including urinary hesitancy, weak stream, dribbling, frequency, nocturia,
and sensation of incomplete emptying. These symptoms result from urethral obstruction, not from
infection or diabetes.
8. The nurse is caring for a male client who had a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) 4 hours
ago and is reporting bladder spasms. Which of the following should the nurse assess first?
A) Patency of the urinary catheter
B) Amount of IV fluid infusing
C) Client's pain level using a numeric scale
D) Temperature of the irrigation solution
CORRECT ANSWER: A) Patency of the urinary catheter
EXPERT RATIONALE: After TURP, bladder spasms are often caused by blood clots obstructing the
catheter or the catheter balloon irritating the bladder neck. Assessing catheter patency is the priority. If the
catheter is obstructed, urine and irrigant cannot drain, causing bladder distension and spasms. The
catheter may need irrigation to restore patency.
9. The nurse is caring for a client who had a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and has
continuous bladder irrigation (CBI) in place. The amount of irrigation hanging at the beginning of the
shift was 3,000 mL. After 8 hours, the nurse calculates that 2,000 mL of irrigant has infused and empties
2,500 mL from the urinary drainage bag. The nurse should document the urine output at the end of 8
hours as:
Of Nursing | 2026 –2027 Edition Tested Questions With
Verified Answers & Expert Rationales
1. The nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with a Candida albicans (yeast) infection.
Which of the following findings does the nurse expect to observe?
A) Thin, grayish-white discharge with a fishy odor
B) Cottage cheese-like discharge
C) Thick, purulent yellow-green discharge
D) Frothy, yellow-green discharge
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Cottage cheese-like discharge
EXPERT RATIONALE: Candida albicans (vulvovaginal candidiasis) is characterized by a thick,
white, cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge, vulvar itching, and erythema. It is not associated with a foul
odor. Bacterial vaginosis produces a thin gray discharge with fishy odor, while trichomoniasis produces
frothy yellow-green discharge.
2. The nurse is reinforcing instruction with a client who has gonorrhea. Which of the following statements
by the client indicates a need for further instruction?
A) "I will take all of my antibiotics as prescribed."
B) "I can continue to have sex as long as I am taking antibiotics."
C) "My partner will also need to be treated."
D) "I will return for follow-up testing to ensure the infection is cleared."
CORRECT ANSWER: B) "I can continue to have sex as long as I am taking antibiotics."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Clients with gonorrhea should abstain from sexual activity until treatment is
completed and symptoms have resolved. Continuing sexual activity during treatment can lead to
reinfection and transmission to partners. Both partners must be treated, and follow-up testing (test of cure)
is recommended.
3. The nurse is contributing to a community education program about testicular self-examination (TSE).
Which of the following information should the nurse suggest including?
A) Perform TSE only if you have a family history of testicular cancer.
B) Gently roll each testicle between the thumb and fingers to check for lumps or swelling.
C) TSE should be performed only once per year.
D) Use only one hand to examine both testicles simultaneously.
, CORRECT ANSWER: B) Gently roll each testicle between the thumb and fingers to check for lumps
or swelling.
EXPERT RATIONALE: Testicular self-examination should be performed monthly after a warm
shower when the scrotal skin is relaxed. Each testicle should be examined individually by gently rolling it
between the thumb and fingers to detect any lumps, swelling, or changes in consistency. Early detection
of testicular cancer significantly improves outcomes.
4. The nurse is reinforcing teaching with a female client about breast self-examinations (BSE). Which of
the following should the nurse include as the best time to perform BSE?
A) During menstruation
B) 1 week after the menstrual cycle
C) Mid-cycle regardless of menstrual status
D) Any time is appropriate for BSE
CORRECT ANSWER: B) 1 week after the menstrual cycle
EXPERT RATIONALE: The best time to perform BSE is 1 week after menstruation ends when
breasts are least tender and swollen. Postmenopausal women should perform BSE on the same day each
month. Premenstrual breasts may be tender and lumpy, making it difficult to detect abnormalities.
5. The nurse is assisting the primary health care provider (PHCP) with a pelvic examination for a female
client. The nurse observes the genitalia to have cauliflower-like growths on the vulva. The nurse knows
this assessment data is related to which of the following sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?
A) Herpes simplex virus
B) Human papillomavirus (HPV)
C) Syphilis
D) Chlamydia
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Human papillomavirus (HPV)
EXPERT RATIONALE: Cauliflower-like growths (condylomata acuminata or genital warts) are
characteristic of HPV infection, particularly types 6 and 11. Herpes presents with painful vesicles.
Syphilis presents with a painless chancre. Chlamydia is often asymptomatic or causes mucopurulent
discharge.
6. The nurse is caring for a male client who has testicular torsion. Which of the following findings is
consistent with this diagnosis?
A) Presence of the cremasteric reflex
B) Absence of the cremasteric reflex
C) Painless scrotal swelling
, D) Bilateral testicular enlargement
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Absence of the cremasteric reflex
EXPERT RATIONALE: Testicular torsion is a urological emergency characterized by sudden onset of
severe scrotal pain, absent cremasteric reflex, and elevated testicle. The absence of the cremasteric reflex
(stroking the inner thigh normally causes testicular elevation) is a key diagnostic finding. Immediate
surgical intervention is required to salvage the testicle.
7. The nurse is caring for a male client who is suspected of having benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).
Which of the following symptoms does the nurse expect to observe?
A) Urinary incontinence without urgency
B) Urinary hesitancy
C) Polyuria and excessive thirst
D) Painless hematuria
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Urinary hesitancy
EXPERT RATIONALE: BPH causes enlargement of the prostate gland that compresses the urethra,
leading to obstructive symptoms including urinary hesitancy, weak stream, dribbling, frequency, nocturia,
and sensation of incomplete emptying. These symptoms result from urethral obstruction, not from
infection or diabetes.
8. The nurse is caring for a male client who had a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) 4 hours
ago and is reporting bladder spasms. Which of the following should the nurse assess first?
A) Patency of the urinary catheter
B) Amount of IV fluid infusing
C) Client's pain level using a numeric scale
D) Temperature of the irrigation solution
CORRECT ANSWER: A) Patency of the urinary catheter
EXPERT RATIONALE: After TURP, bladder spasms are often caused by blood clots obstructing the
catheter or the catheter balloon irritating the bladder neck. Assessing catheter patency is the priority. If the
catheter is obstructed, urine and irrigant cannot drain, causing bladder distension and spasms. The
catheter may need irrigation to restore patency.
9. The nurse is caring for a client who had a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and has
continuous bladder irrigation (CBI) in place. The amount of irrigation hanging at the beginning of the
shift was 3,000 mL. After 8 hours, the nurse calculates that 2,000 mL of irrigant has infused and empties
2,500 mL from the urinary drainage bag. The nurse should document the urine output at the end of 8
hours as:
