1|Page N U 1 5 5 R E C E N T LY E X A M 3 — G R A D E D A + ---
,2|Page N U 1 5 5 R E C E N T LY E X A M 3 — G R A D E D A + ---
NU 155 Exam 3 Medical-Surgical Nursing I | Latest Update 2026 |
PDF Study Guide | Practice Questions & Answers | Recently Taken |
Success Witnessed
Exam Coverage Summary
This comprehensive examination covers essential medical-surgical nursing concepts including wound
care and assessment, pressure ulcer staging and prevention, oxygen delivery systems and respiratory
management, cardiovascular assessment and risk factors, patient mobility and positioning, ethical and
legal considerations in nursing practice, sensory perception and neurological assessment, infection
control and wound drainage identification, and therapeutic communication and patient education. The
exam emphasizes clinical judgment, prioritization, and evidence-based practice across all content areas.
Question 1
A nurse is collecting a culture from a patient's wound. Which action should the nurse avoid during this
procedure?
A. Using sterile technique
B. Collecting from the wound edges
C. Using pus or pooled exudates for the culture
D. Rotating the swab over the wound surface
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should avoid using pus or pooled exudates when collecting wound cultures because
these materials contain dead cells and bacteria that may not represent the true infecting organisms.
Instead, the nurse should rotate the swab over the clean wound surface to obtain viable tissue bacteria
for accurate culture results.
,3|Page N U 1 5 5 R E C E N T LY E X A M 3 — G R A D E D A + ---
Question 2
A nurse is assessing a wound and notes clear, yellow drainage. How should the nurse document this
finding?
A. Purulent
B. Sanguineous
C. Serous
D. Serosanguineous
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Serous drainage is clear, watery, and yellow-tinged fluid that is normally present in the
inflammatory phase of wound healing. Purulent drainage indicates infection with thick, yellow-green pus.
Sanguineous drainage contains blood, and serosanguineous contains both serum and blood.
Question 3
When using the RYB color code for wound care, which dressing or treatment is appropriate for a wound
that appears red?
A. Debridement
B. Cover with hydrocolloid dressing
C. Clean to remove nonviable tissue
D. Apply enzymatic debriding agent
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: According to the RYB color code system, red wounds indicate healthy granulation tissue that
requires protection and moisture. A hydrocolloid dressing provides a moist environment that promotes
epithelialization and protects the fragile new tissue from trauma and contamination.
Question 4
A patient with a sprained ankle asks for a heating pad. What should the nurse teach the patient?
, 4|Page N U 1 5 5 R E C E N T LY E X A M 3 — G R A D E D A + ---
A. Heat should be applied immediately after injury
B. Heat is most effective during the first 24 hours
C. Heat increases bleeding and swelling when applied within 24 hours of trauma
D. Heat promotes vasoconstriction and reduces inflammation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Heat application within the first 24 hours after trauma increases vasodilation, which can
worsen bleeding and swelling. Cold applications are recommended during the acute phase to promote
vasoconstriction and reduce inflammation. Heat is more appropriate after the acute phase for muscle
relaxation.
Question 5
The nurse is caring for a patient with a stage IV pressure ulcer. Which nursing diagnosis is most
appropriate?
A. Readiness for enhanced nutrition
B. Impaired physical mobility
C. Impaired skin integrity
D. Risk for infection
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Stage IV pressure ulcers involve full-thickness tissue loss with exposed bone, tendon, or
muscle. Impaired skin integrity is the most direct and appropriate nursing diagnosis as it addresses the
actual tissue damage present. While other diagnoses may be relevant, impaired skin integrity is the
primary problem requiring intervention.
Question 6
Which nursing observation would indicate that a patient is at risk for pressure ulcer formation?
A. The patient ate two-thirds of breakfast
B. The patient has a raised red rash on the right shin
,2|Page N U 1 5 5 R E C E N T LY E X A M 3 — G R A D E D A + ---
NU 155 Exam 3 Medical-Surgical Nursing I | Latest Update 2026 |
PDF Study Guide | Practice Questions & Answers | Recently Taken |
Success Witnessed
Exam Coverage Summary
This comprehensive examination covers essential medical-surgical nursing concepts including wound
care and assessment, pressure ulcer staging and prevention, oxygen delivery systems and respiratory
management, cardiovascular assessment and risk factors, patient mobility and positioning, ethical and
legal considerations in nursing practice, sensory perception and neurological assessment, infection
control and wound drainage identification, and therapeutic communication and patient education. The
exam emphasizes clinical judgment, prioritization, and evidence-based practice across all content areas.
Question 1
A nurse is collecting a culture from a patient's wound. Which action should the nurse avoid during this
procedure?
A. Using sterile technique
B. Collecting from the wound edges
C. Using pus or pooled exudates for the culture
D. Rotating the swab over the wound surface
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should avoid using pus or pooled exudates when collecting wound cultures because
these materials contain dead cells and bacteria that may not represent the true infecting organisms.
Instead, the nurse should rotate the swab over the clean wound surface to obtain viable tissue bacteria
for accurate culture results.
,3|Page N U 1 5 5 R E C E N T LY E X A M 3 — G R A D E D A + ---
Question 2
A nurse is assessing a wound and notes clear, yellow drainage. How should the nurse document this
finding?
A. Purulent
B. Sanguineous
C. Serous
D. Serosanguineous
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Serous drainage is clear, watery, and yellow-tinged fluid that is normally present in the
inflammatory phase of wound healing. Purulent drainage indicates infection with thick, yellow-green pus.
Sanguineous drainage contains blood, and serosanguineous contains both serum and blood.
Question 3
When using the RYB color code for wound care, which dressing or treatment is appropriate for a wound
that appears red?
A. Debridement
B. Cover with hydrocolloid dressing
C. Clean to remove nonviable tissue
D. Apply enzymatic debriding agent
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: According to the RYB color code system, red wounds indicate healthy granulation tissue that
requires protection and moisture. A hydrocolloid dressing provides a moist environment that promotes
epithelialization and protects the fragile new tissue from trauma and contamination.
Question 4
A patient with a sprained ankle asks for a heating pad. What should the nurse teach the patient?
, 4|Page N U 1 5 5 R E C E N T LY E X A M 3 — G R A D E D A + ---
A. Heat should be applied immediately after injury
B. Heat is most effective during the first 24 hours
C. Heat increases bleeding and swelling when applied within 24 hours of trauma
D. Heat promotes vasoconstriction and reduces inflammation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Heat application within the first 24 hours after trauma increases vasodilation, which can
worsen bleeding and swelling. Cold applications are recommended during the acute phase to promote
vasoconstriction and reduce inflammation. Heat is more appropriate after the acute phase for muscle
relaxation.
Question 5
The nurse is caring for a patient with a stage IV pressure ulcer. Which nursing diagnosis is most
appropriate?
A. Readiness for enhanced nutrition
B. Impaired physical mobility
C. Impaired skin integrity
D. Risk for infection
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Stage IV pressure ulcers involve full-thickness tissue loss with exposed bone, tendon, or
muscle. Impaired skin integrity is the most direct and appropriate nursing diagnosis as it addresses the
actual tissue damage present. While other diagnoses may be relevant, impaired skin integrity is the
primary problem requiring intervention.
Question 6
Which nursing observation would indicate that a patient is at risk for pressure ulcer formation?
A. The patient ate two-thirds of breakfast
B. The patient has a raised red rash on the right shin
