NU 155 Exam 3 Medical-Surgical
Nursing I (2026) PDF | Galen
College of Nursing Questions and
Correct Answers Guaranteed Pass
(GRADED A+)
1. Wound Dehiscence
A nurse notes an increase in drainage, separation of the incision line, and
appearance of underlying tissue. What is the appropriate action?
A) Cover the wound loosely with a sterile dry dressing.
B) Apply a sterile, normal-saline-soaked dressing to the wound.
C) Clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide and apply antibiotic
ointment.
D) Massage the edges of the wound to promote healing.
Answer: B. This presentation is consistent with wound dehiscence. It is
crucial to cover the area with a sterile, saline-soaked dressing to keep the
tissues moist and prevent contamination while minimizing trauma .
Topic: Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Prevention & Assessment
2. DVT Prevention
To minimize a postoperative client's risk of developing DVT, the nurse
should:
A) Keep the client on strict bed rest.
B) Assist the client to ambulate frequently as early as tolerated.
C) Apply heat to the lower extremities.
D) Elevate the head of the bed to 90 degrees.
,Answer: B. Early ambulation stimulates venous return and reduces venous
stasis, which is critical in preventing DVT formation. Bed rest and
immobilization increase the risk .
3. DVT Risk Factors - Need for Further Teaching
Which risk factor identified by a client indicates a need for further teaching
about DVT risk?
A) Oral contraceptive use.
B) Prolonged immobility.
C) Intake of foods high in calcium.
D) Smoking.
Answer: C. High calcium intake is not a recognized risk factor for DVT .
Topic: Pulmonary Embolism (PE) & Anticoagulation
4. Priority Action for Potential PE
A client with DVT reports sudden shortness of breath and chest pain. What
is the priority nursing action?
A) Reassure the client and re-evaluate in 15 minutes.
B) Place the client in a high-Fowler's position and administer oxygen.
C) Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
D) Administer a prescribed PRN pain medication.
Answer: C. Shortness of breath and chest pain in a patient with DVT may
indicate a pulmonary embolism (PE), a life-threatening complication
requiring immediate intervention .
5. Therapeutic Heparin
Which finding indicates a continuous IV heparin infusion is therapeutic for a
patient with a pulmonary embolus?
A) INR is less than 1.
B) INR is between 2 and 3.
C) PTT is the same as the control.
, D) PTT is 1.5 to 2.5 times the control.
Answer: D. The therapeutic range for heparin is an aPTT (or PTT) 1.5 to 2.5
times the control value .
Topic: COPD & Oxygen Therapy
6. COPD and CO₂ Retention
Which statement regarding oxygen administration for a patient with COPD
and CO₂ retention is correct?
A) High-flow oxygen should be given immediately.
B) Caution should be used because the breathing trigger is a
decreased arterial oxygen level.
C) Oxygen is contraindicated in COPD patients.
D) Oxygen should be given only if SpO₂ drops below 85%.
Answer: B. For patients with COPD and CO₂ retention, the respiratory drive
is often triggered by low oxygen levels (hypoxic drive). Giving too much
oxygen can decrease this drive and lead to respiratory arrest .
Topic: Anticoagulation Therapy & Patient Teaching
6. Warfarin (Coumadin) Teaching
The nurse is preparing to discharge a patient on warfarin (Coumadin).
Which teaching points should be included? (Select all that apply.)
A) "Be sure to have follow-up INR laboratory tests done."
B) "Report any bruising or bleeding to your provider."
C) "Consume lots of foods rich in vitamin K, such as green leafy
vegetables."
D) "Use a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth and an electric razor to
shave."
Answer: A, B, D. The patient should understand the need for regular
monitoring (weekly INR), the risk of bleeding, and the importance of
avoiding foods high in Vitamin K, as they can counteract the medication's
, effects. A soft toothbrush and electric razor minimize the risk of bleeding
from minor trauma .
Topic: Pulmonary Embolism (PE) & Activity
7. PE and Ambulation
The nurse is caring for a patient with a pulmonary embolus who says she
needs to use the bathroom. What is the best approach for the nursing
assistant to take?
A) Place the patient on a bedpan and stay with her until finished.
B) Ambulate her to the hall bathroom on room air.
C) Ask the provider for an indwelling catheter.
D) Tell her to try to wait until the shortness of breath subsides.
Answer: A. The patient is likely too short of breath to ambulate and should
remain on oxygen. Placing the patient on a bedpan is the safest option to
conserve energy and prevent falls while meeting her needs .
Topic: Eye Medication Administration
8. Topical Eye Medications
The nurse has reinforced discharge instructions for a client who will apply
topical eye medications at home. Which instruction should the nurse
include?
A) Pull the upper lid upwards and drop medication on the cornea.
B) Pull the lower lid down and drop medication into the conjunctival sac.
C) Place the drops on the outer eyelid margin.
D) Close eyes tightly for 5 minutes immediately after administration.
Answer: B. The conjunctival sac holds the eye drops and minimizes direct
contact with the cornea, which can be irritating. The lower lid should be
pulled down to create this space .
Topic: Post-Cardiac Catheterization Complications
Nursing I (2026) PDF | Galen
College of Nursing Questions and
Correct Answers Guaranteed Pass
(GRADED A+)
1. Wound Dehiscence
A nurse notes an increase in drainage, separation of the incision line, and
appearance of underlying tissue. What is the appropriate action?
A) Cover the wound loosely with a sterile dry dressing.
B) Apply a sterile, normal-saline-soaked dressing to the wound.
C) Clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide and apply antibiotic
ointment.
D) Massage the edges of the wound to promote healing.
Answer: B. This presentation is consistent with wound dehiscence. It is
crucial to cover the area with a sterile, saline-soaked dressing to keep the
tissues moist and prevent contamination while minimizing trauma .
Topic: Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Prevention & Assessment
2. DVT Prevention
To minimize a postoperative client's risk of developing DVT, the nurse
should:
A) Keep the client on strict bed rest.
B) Assist the client to ambulate frequently as early as tolerated.
C) Apply heat to the lower extremities.
D) Elevate the head of the bed to 90 degrees.
,Answer: B. Early ambulation stimulates venous return and reduces venous
stasis, which is critical in preventing DVT formation. Bed rest and
immobilization increase the risk .
3. DVT Risk Factors - Need for Further Teaching
Which risk factor identified by a client indicates a need for further teaching
about DVT risk?
A) Oral contraceptive use.
B) Prolonged immobility.
C) Intake of foods high in calcium.
D) Smoking.
Answer: C. High calcium intake is not a recognized risk factor for DVT .
Topic: Pulmonary Embolism (PE) & Anticoagulation
4. Priority Action for Potential PE
A client with DVT reports sudden shortness of breath and chest pain. What
is the priority nursing action?
A) Reassure the client and re-evaluate in 15 minutes.
B) Place the client in a high-Fowler's position and administer oxygen.
C) Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
D) Administer a prescribed PRN pain medication.
Answer: C. Shortness of breath and chest pain in a patient with DVT may
indicate a pulmonary embolism (PE), a life-threatening complication
requiring immediate intervention .
5. Therapeutic Heparin
Which finding indicates a continuous IV heparin infusion is therapeutic for a
patient with a pulmonary embolus?
A) INR is less than 1.
B) INR is between 2 and 3.
C) PTT is the same as the control.
, D) PTT is 1.5 to 2.5 times the control.
Answer: D. The therapeutic range for heparin is an aPTT (or PTT) 1.5 to 2.5
times the control value .
Topic: COPD & Oxygen Therapy
6. COPD and CO₂ Retention
Which statement regarding oxygen administration for a patient with COPD
and CO₂ retention is correct?
A) High-flow oxygen should be given immediately.
B) Caution should be used because the breathing trigger is a
decreased arterial oxygen level.
C) Oxygen is contraindicated in COPD patients.
D) Oxygen should be given only if SpO₂ drops below 85%.
Answer: B. For patients with COPD and CO₂ retention, the respiratory drive
is often triggered by low oxygen levels (hypoxic drive). Giving too much
oxygen can decrease this drive and lead to respiratory arrest .
Topic: Anticoagulation Therapy & Patient Teaching
6. Warfarin (Coumadin) Teaching
The nurse is preparing to discharge a patient on warfarin (Coumadin).
Which teaching points should be included? (Select all that apply.)
A) "Be sure to have follow-up INR laboratory tests done."
B) "Report any bruising or bleeding to your provider."
C) "Consume lots of foods rich in vitamin K, such as green leafy
vegetables."
D) "Use a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth and an electric razor to
shave."
Answer: A, B, D. The patient should understand the need for regular
monitoring (weekly INR), the risk of bleeding, and the importance of
avoiding foods high in Vitamin K, as they can counteract the medication's
, effects. A soft toothbrush and electric razor minimize the risk of bleeding
from minor trauma .
Topic: Pulmonary Embolism (PE) & Activity
7. PE and Ambulation
The nurse is caring for a patient with a pulmonary embolus who says she
needs to use the bathroom. What is the best approach for the nursing
assistant to take?
A) Place the patient on a bedpan and stay with her until finished.
B) Ambulate her to the hall bathroom on room air.
C) Ask the provider for an indwelling catheter.
D) Tell her to try to wait until the shortness of breath subsides.
Answer: A. The patient is likely too short of breath to ambulate and should
remain on oxygen. Placing the patient on a bedpan is the safest option to
conserve energy and prevent falls while meeting her needs .
Topic: Eye Medication Administration
8. Topical Eye Medications
The nurse has reinforced discharge instructions for a client who will apply
topical eye medications at home. Which instruction should the nurse
include?
A) Pull the upper lid upwards and drop medication on the cornea.
B) Pull the lower lid down and drop medication into the conjunctival sac.
C) Place the drops on the outer eyelid margin.
D) Close eyes tightly for 5 minutes immediately after administration.
Answer: B. The conjunctival sac holds the eye drops and minimizes direct
contact with the cornea, which can be irritating. The lower lid should be
pulled down to create this space .
Topic: Post-Cardiac Catheterization Complications
