NUR 265 Exam 2 Medical-Surgical Nursing Comprehen… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 265 Exam 2 Medical-Surgical Nursing Comprehensive
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 Exam 2 Medical-Surgical Nursing Comprehen… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient is admitted with a suspected pulmonary embolism. Which diagnostic test is
considered the gold standard for confirming this diagnosis?
A. Chest X-ray
B. D-dimer assay
C. Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)
D. CT Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA)
Answer: D
Rationale: CT Pulmonary Angiography is the preferred gold standard for diagnosing PE due to its high
sensitivity and specificity. 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.
2. A nurse is monitoring a patient on a ventilator who suddenly develops restlessness and a
drop in oxygen saturation. The high-pressure alarm is sounding. What is the priority action?
A. Check for kinks in the tubing or the need for suctioning.
B. Silence the alarm and observe the patient.
C. Call the physician immediately.
D. Increase the FiO2 to 100%.
Answer: A
Rationale: A high-pressure alarm indicates resistance; the nurse should first check for obstructions
like kinks, secretions, or the patient biting the tube. In practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities
and protect the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent priorities.
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.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, NUR 265 Exam 2 Medical-Surgical Nursing Comprehen… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. Which clinical finding is most indicative of the transition from the compensatory stage to
the progressive stage of shock?
A. Increased heart rate
B. Slight cool feeling in the extremities
C. Respiratory rate of 20 breaths per minute
D. Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) decrease of 20 mmHg from baseline
Answer: D
Rationale: A drop in MAP of 20 mmHg or more indicates the progressive stage where compensatory
mechanisms are failing and organ perfusion is significantly compromised. Clear understanding of this
concept improves both test performance and everyday clinical judgment. Practice applying it to short
case scenarios to lock the idea in place. In practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and protect
the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent priorities.
4. A patient with septic shock has a low CVP, low MAP, and high heart rate. Which order
should the nurse implement first?
A. Administer 30 mL/kg of IV isotonic crystalloids.
B. Obtain blood cultures from two different sites.
C. Administer Norepinephrine infusion.
D. Start broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Answer: A
Rationale: Fluid resuscitation is the priority in shock management to restore volume before introducing
vasopressors. 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. 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 Exam 2 Medical-Surgical Nursing Comprehensive
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 Exam 2 Medical-Surgical Nursing Comprehen… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient is admitted with a suspected pulmonary embolism. Which diagnostic test is
considered the gold standard for confirming this diagnosis?
A. Chest X-ray
B. D-dimer assay
C. Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)
D. CT Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA)
Answer: D
Rationale: CT Pulmonary Angiography is the preferred gold standard for diagnosing PE due to its high
sensitivity and specificity. 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.
2. A nurse is monitoring a patient on a ventilator who suddenly develops restlessness and a
drop in oxygen saturation. The high-pressure alarm is sounding. What is the priority action?
A. Check for kinks in the tubing or the need for suctioning.
B. Silence the alarm and observe the patient.
C. Call the physician immediately.
D. Increase the FiO2 to 100%.
Answer: A
Rationale: A high-pressure alarm indicates resistance; the nurse should first check for obstructions
like kinks, secretions, or the patient biting the tube. In practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities
and protect the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent priorities.
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.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, NUR 265 Exam 2 Medical-Surgical Nursing Comprehen… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. Which clinical finding is most indicative of the transition from the compensatory stage to
the progressive stage of shock?
A. Increased heart rate
B. Slight cool feeling in the extremities
C. Respiratory rate of 20 breaths per minute
D. Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) decrease of 20 mmHg from baseline
Answer: D
Rationale: A drop in MAP of 20 mmHg or more indicates the progressive stage where compensatory
mechanisms are failing and organ perfusion is significantly compromised. Clear understanding of this
concept improves both test performance and everyday clinical judgment. Practice applying it to short
case scenarios to lock the idea in place. In practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and protect
the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent priorities.
4. A patient with septic shock has a low CVP, low MAP, and high heart rate. Which order
should the nurse implement first?
A. Administer 30 mL/kg of IV isotonic crystalloids.
B. Obtain blood cultures from two different sites.
C. Administer Norepinephrine infusion.
D. Start broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Answer: A
Rationale: Fluid resuscitation is the priority in shock management to restore volume before introducing
vasopressors. 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. 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
