NUR 265 Advanced Med-Surg Exam 3 Practice Quiz 20… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 265 Advanced Med-Surg Exam 3 Practice Quiz 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 265 Advanced Med-Surg Exam 3 Practice Quiz 20… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient in the compensatory stage of shock is being monitored. Which clinical finding
should the nurse expect as the body attempts to maintain cardiac output?
A. Decreased heart rate and increased urine output
B. Lethargy and moist crackles in the lungs
C. Hypotension and metabolic acidosis
D. Increased heart rate and narrowed pulse pressure
Answer: D
Rationale: During the compensatory stage of shock, the sympathetic nervous system is activated,
leading to an increased heart rate and peripheral vasoconstriction, which narrows the pulse pressure
even if the systolic blood pressure remains within normal limits. In practice, this guides the nurse to set
priorities and protect the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent
priorities. In practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and protect the client from harm. Safety,
nutrition, and clear communication are frequent priorities.
2. A client is admitted with deep partial-thickness burns to 40% of the body. Which
physiological change occurs during the emergent phase of burn injury?
A. Increased serum albumin levels
B. Increased renal perfusion due to hypervolemia
C. Decreased serum potassium levels
D. Increased capillary permeability leading to fluid shift
Answer: D
Rationale: The emergent phase (resuscitative phase) is characterized by massive capillary leaking,
causing fluid, electrolytes, and proteins to move from the intravascular space into the interstitial space,
leading to hypovolemia. Remembering this point will help you decide the best nursing action when
similar questions appear on the exam. Link the answer to the client’s current condition and risk level.
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 2
, NUR 265 Advanced Med-Surg Exam 3 Practice Quiz 20… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. The nurse is caring for a patient with a spinal cord injury at T4 who reports a sudden,
throbbing headache and has a blood pressure of 190/100 mmHg. What is the priority nursing
action?
A. Check the patient’s bladder for distension
B. Administer prescribed PRN antihypertensive medication
C. Place the patient in a flat, supine position
D. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
Answer: A
Rationale: The patient is exhibiting signs of Autonomic Dysreflexia. The priority is to identify and
remove the stimulus (most commonly a distended bladder or fecal impaction) while sitting the patient
upright to lower BP. 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. 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.
4. A patient with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is on mechanical ventilation
with High-Level PEEP. Which complication should the nurse monitor for most closely?
A. Hypervolemia
B. Improved oxygenation status
C. Pneumothorax due to barotrauma
D. Decreased intracranial pressure
Answer: C
Rationale: High Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) increases the risk of alveolar overdistension
and rupture, leading to barotrauma and potential pneumothorax. Remembering this point will help you
decide the best nursing action when similar questions appear on the exam. Link the answer to the
client’s current condition and risk level. 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.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 265 Advanced Med-Surg Exam 3 Practice Quiz 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 265 Advanced Med-Surg Exam 3 Practice Quiz 20… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient in the compensatory stage of shock is being monitored. Which clinical finding
should the nurse expect as the body attempts to maintain cardiac output?
A. Decreased heart rate and increased urine output
B. Lethargy and moist crackles in the lungs
C. Hypotension and metabolic acidosis
D. Increased heart rate and narrowed pulse pressure
Answer: D
Rationale: During the compensatory stage of shock, the sympathetic nervous system is activated,
leading to an increased heart rate and peripheral vasoconstriction, which narrows the pulse pressure
even if the systolic blood pressure remains within normal limits. In practice, this guides the nurse to set
priorities and protect the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent
priorities. In practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and protect the client from harm. Safety,
nutrition, and clear communication are frequent priorities.
2. A client is admitted with deep partial-thickness burns to 40% of the body. Which
physiological change occurs during the emergent phase of burn injury?
A. Increased serum albumin levels
B. Increased renal perfusion due to hypervolemia
C. Decreased serum potassium levels
D. Increased capillary permeability leading to fluid shift
Answer: D
Rationale: The emergent phase (resuscitative phase) is characterized by massive capillary leaking,
causing fluid, electrolytes, and proteins to move from the intravascular space into the interstitial space,
leading to hypovolemia. Remembering this point will help you decide the best nursing action when
similar questions appear on the exam. Link the answer to the client’s current condition and risk level.
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 2
, NUR 265 Advanced Med-Surg Exam 3 Practice Quiz 20… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. The nurse is caring for a patient with a spinal cord injury at T4 who reports a sudden,
throbbing headache and has a blood pressure of 190/100 mmHg. What is the priority nursing
action?
A. Check the patient’s bladder for distension
B. Administer prescribed PRN antihypertensive medication
C. Place the patient in a flat, supine position
D. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
Answer: A
Rationale: The patient is exhibiting signs of Autonomic Dysreflexia. The priority is to identify and
remove the stimulus (most commonly a distended bladder or fecal impaction) while sitting the patient
upright to lower BP. 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. 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.
4. A patient with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is on mechanical ventilation
with High-Level PEEP. Which complication should the nurse monitor for most closely?
A. Hypervolemia
B. Improved oxygenation status
C. Pneumothorax due to barotrauma
D. Decreased intracranial pressure
Answer: C
Rationale: High Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) increases the risk of alveolar overdistension
and rupture, leading to barotrauma and potential pneumothorax. Remembering this point will help you
decide the best nursing action when similar questions appear on the exam. Link the answer to the
client’s current condition and risk level. 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.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
