NUR 242 Med-Surg Nursing Exam 1 Comprehensive Ass… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 242 Med-Surg Nursing Exam 1 Comprehensive
Assessment 2026/2027 UPDATE Galen College
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
with Clear, Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations) / Study Guide
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Rationales
Grade: A+ Assured
ASSURED GRADE A+
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 1
,NUR 242 Med-Surg Nursing Exam 1 Comprehensive Ass… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient presents with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which electrocardiogram
(ECG) change is the nurse most likely to observe?
A. Tall, peaked T waves
B. Prolonged ST segment
C. Prominent U waves
D. Shortened PR interval
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) typically manifests on an ECG as tall, peaked T
waves, widened QRS complexes, and prolonged PR intervals. U waves are associated with
hypokalemia. This knowledge supports safe care and helps the nurse teach the client and family
clearly and simply. Clear teaching improves cooperation and reduces anxiety. This is important
because the nurse must choose the action that keeps the client safest while still meeting their basic
needs. Always think about safety first when answering these questions.
2. When interpreting arterial blood gas (ABG) results, the nurse notes: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52
mmHg, and HCO3 25 mEq/L. How should these results be classified?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Acidosis
Answer: D
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg indicates a respiratory
cause. Since the bicarbonate (HCO3) is within the normal range (22-26), it is uncompensated
respiratory acidosis. This knowledge supports safe care and helps the nurse teach the client and
family clearly and simply. Clear teaching improves cooperation and reduces anxiety. This knowledge
supports safe care and helps the nurse teach the client and family clearly and simply. Clear teaching
improves cooperation and reduces anxiety.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, NUR 242 Med-Surg Nursing Exam 1 Comprehensive Ass… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A patient exhibits a positive Chvostek’s sign. The nurse knows this finding is indicative of
which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypermagnesemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: C
Rationale: Chvostek’s sign (facial twitching when the facial nerve is tapped) and Trousseau’s sign
(carpal spasm with BP cuff inflation) are classic clinical signs of hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia.
Exam questions often test whether you can pick the most practical and safe choice for the client in real
situations. Focus on what the nurse can actually do right now. This is important because the nurse
must choose the action that keeps the client safest while still meeting their basic needs. Always think
about safety first when answering these questions.
4. Which assessment finding is a priority for a nurse monitoring a patient with a serum
sodium level of 120 mEq/L?
A. Seizures and altered mental status
B. Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
C. Dry mucous membranes
D. Increased thirst
Answer: A
Rationale: Severe hyponatremia (<125 mEq/L) causes cerebral edema, leading to neurological
emergencies such as seizures, coma, and respiratory arrest. This is the highest priority. Understanding
this helps the nurse notice early warning signs and act before the problem gets worse. Early action
often prevents bigger complications for the client. Knowing the reason behind the correct answer
makes it easier to rule out the wrong options quickly. Look for the choice that protects the client and
matches the priority need.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 242 Med-Surg Nursing Exam 1 Comprehensive
Assessment 2026/2027 UPDATE Galen College
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
with Clear, Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations) / Study Guide
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Rationales
Grade: A+ Assured
ASSURED GRADE A+
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 1
,NUR 242 Med-Surg Nursing Exam 1 Comprehensive Ass… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient presents with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which electrocardiogram
(ECG) change is the nurse most likely to observe?
A. Tall, peaked T waves
B. Prolonged ST segment
C. Prominent U waves
D. Shortened PR interval
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) typically manifests on an ECG as tall, peaked T
waves, widened QRS complexes, and prolonged PR intervals. U waves are associated with
hypokalemia. This knowledge supports safe care and helps the nurse teach the client and family
clearly and simply. Clear teaching improves cooperation and reduces anxiety. This is important
because the nurse must choose the action that keeps the client safest while still meeting their basic
needs. Always think about safety first when answering these questions.
2. When interpreting arterial blood gas (ABG) results, the nurse notes: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52
mmHg, and HCO3 25 mEq/L. How should these results be classified?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Acidosis
Answer: D
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg indicates a respiratory
cause. Since the bicarbonate (HCO3) is within the normal range (22-26), it is uncompensated
respiratory acidosis. This knowledge supports safe care and helps the nurse teach the client and
family clearly and simply. Clear teaching improves cooperation and reduces anxiety. This knowledge
supports safe care and helps the nurse teach the client and family clearly and simply. Clear teaching
improves cooperation and reduces anxiety.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, NUR 242 Med-Surg Nursing Exam 1 Comprehensive Ass… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A patient exhibits a positive Chvostek’s sign. The nurse knows this finding is indicative of
which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypermagnesemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: C
Rationale: Chvostek’s sign (facial twitching when the facial nerve is tapped) and Trousseau’s sign
(carpal spasm with BP cuff inflation) are classic clinical signs of hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia.
Exam questions often test whether you can pick the most practical and safe choice for the client in real
situations. Focus on what the nurse can actually do right now. This is important because the nurse
must choose the action that keeps the client safest while still meeting their basic needs. Always think
about safety first when answering these questions.
4. Which assessment finding is a priority for a nurse monitoring a patient with a serum
sodium level of 120 mEq/L?
A. Seizures and altered mental status
B. Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
C. Dry mucous membranes
D. Increased thirst
Answer: A
Rationale: Severe hyponatremia (<125 mEq/L) causes cerebral edema, leading to neurological
emergencies such as seizures, coma, and respiratory arrest. This is the highest priority. Understanding
this helps the nurse notice early warning signs and act before the problem gets worse. Early action
often prevents bigger complications for the client. Knowing the reason behind the correct answer
makes it easier to rule out the wrong options quickly. Look for the choice that protects the client and
matches the priority need.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
