GALEN COLLEGE NUR 170 EXAM 4
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
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Core Domains
• Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
• Gastrointestinal System Disorders
• Renal and Urinary System Disorders
• Cardiovascular System Disorders
• Respiratory System Disorders
• Endocrine System Disorders
• Hematological and Oncological Disorders
• Perioperative and Critical Care Nursing
• Pharmacology Integration
• Professional Nursing Standards and Ethics
Introduction
This comprehensive examination for Concepts of Medical-Surgical Nursing
(NUR 170) at Galen College is designed to evaluate advanced clinical knowledge
and critical thinking skills essential for the care of adult patients with complex
health conditions. The assessment encompasses foundational pathophysiology,
pharmacological interventions, evidence-based nursing care, and clinical
decision-making across major body systems. Each question reflects real-world
,scenarios encountered in acute care settings, challenging the learner to
prioritize interventions, interpret diagnostic data, and apply professional
standards of practice. Mastery of these concepts is crucial for safe, competent
nursing practice and optimal patient outcomes in medical-surgical
environments.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
The nurse is admitting an older adult with decompensated congestive heart
failure (CHF). The nursing assessment reveals adventitious lung sounds,
dyspnea, and orthopnea. Which physician order should the nurse question?
A. Intravenous (IV) 500 mL of 0.9% NaCl at 125 mL/hr
B. Furosemide 40 mg IV push
C. Oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula
D. Daily weights
A
RATIONALE: The patient's symptoms (adventitious lung sounds,
dyspnea, orthopnea) indicate pulmonary edema and fluid overload due to
heart failure. Administering 0.9% NaCl (normal saline), an isotonic solution,
would increase intravascular volume, worsening the heart failure and
pulmonary congestion.
Question 2
The nurse is assessing a patient before hanging an IV solution of 0.9% NaCl
with KCl in it. Which assessment finding should cause the nurse to hold the
IV solution and contact the provider?
A. Urine output 8 mL/hr
B. Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
,C. Heart rate 88 beats/min
D. Respiratory rate 18 breaths/min
A
RATIONALE: Potassium (KCl) is primarily excreted by the kidneys. A
urine output of 8 mL/hr indicates severe oliguria and acute kidney injury.
Administering potassium to a patient with impaired renal function can lead
to life-threatening hyperkalemia.
Question 3
A patient has recent bilateral above-the-knee amputations and has developed
C. difficile diarrhea. Which assessments should the nurse use to detect fluid
volume deficit in this patient? (Select all that apply)
A. Observe for flatness of neck veins when supine
B. Measure rate and character of pulse
C. Test for skin turgor
D. Assess for peripheral edema
A, B, C
RATIONALE: Flat neck veins indicate decreased intravascular volume and
low central venous pressure. Hypovolemia triggers tachycardia with a weak,
thready pulse. Dehydration reduces skin elasticity, and poor skin turgor is a
sign of fluid deficit. Peripheral edema indicates fluid overload, not deficit.
Question 4
The patient is receiving tube feedings due to jaw surgery. What change in
assessment findings should prompt the nurse to request an order for serum
sodium concentration?
A. Decreased level of consciousness
B. Increased appetite
C. Improved wound healing
D. Stable vital signs
, A
RATIONALE: Tube feedings can cause fluid and electrolyte imbalances,
including hypernatremia or hyponatremia. Both conditions can cause
neurological symptoms. A sudden decrease in level of consciousness is a
critical sign of severe sodium imbalance.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a patient prescribed peripheral intravenous therapy.
Which task will the nurse assign to the nursing assistant (NA)?
A. Recording intake and output
B. Starting the IV infusion
C. Assessing the IV site for infiltration
D. Adjusting the IV flow rate
A
RATIONALE: Recording intake and output is a task that can be delegated
to nursing assistants. Starting IV infusions, assessing IV sites, and adjusting
flow rates are nursing responsibilities that require clinical judgment and
assessment skills.
Question 6
What percentage of the human body is composed of water?
A. 30%
B. 40%
C. 60%
D. 80%
C
RATIONALE: The human body is approximately 60% water, though this
percentage can vary based on age, gender, and body composition. Women and
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
• Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
• Gastrointestinal System Disorders
• Renal and Urinary System Disorders
• Cardiovascular System Disorders
• Respiratory System Disorders
• Endocrine System Disorders
• Hematological and Oncological Disorders
• Perioperative and Critical Care Nursing
• Pharmacology Integration
• Professional Nursing Standards and Ethics
Introduction
This comprehensive examination for Concepts of Medical-Surgical Nursing
(NUR 170) at Galen College is designed to evaluate advanced clinical knowledge
and critical thinking skills essential for the care of adult patients with complex
health conditions. The assessment encompasses foundational pathophysiology,
pharmacological interventions, evidence-based nursing care, and clinical
decision-making across major body systems. Each question reflects real-world
,scenarios encountered in acute care settings, challenging the learner to
prioritize interventions, interpret diagnostic data, and apply professional
standards of practice. Mastery of these concepts is crucial for safe, competent
nursing practice and optimal patient outcomes in medical-surgical
environments.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
The nurse is admitting an older adult with decompensated congestive heart
failure (CHF). The nursing assessment reveals adventitious lung sounds,
dyspnea, and orthopnea. Which physician order should the nurse question?
A. Intravenous (IV) 500 mL of 0.9% NaCl at 125 mL/hr
B. Furosemide 40 mg IV push
C. Oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula
D. Daily weights
A
RATIONALE: The patient's symptoms (adventitious lung sounds,
dyspnea, orthopnea) indicate pulmonary edema and fluid overload due to
heart failure. Administering 0.9% NaCl (normal saline), an isotonic solution,
would increase intravascular volume, worsening the heart failure and
pulmonary congestion.
Question 2
The nurse is assessing a patient before hanging an IV solution of 0.9% NaCl
with KCl in it. Which assessment finding should cause the nurse to hold the
IV solution and contact the provider?
A. Urine output 8 mL/hr
B. Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
,C. Heart rate 88 beats/min
D. Respiratory rate 18 breaths/min
A
RATIONALE: Potassium (KCl) is primarily excreted by the kidneys. A
urine output of 8 mL/hr indicates severe oliguria and acute kidney injury.
Administering potassium to a patient with impaired renal function can lead
to life-threatening hyperkalemia.
Question 3
A patient has recent bilateral above-the-knee amputations and has developed
C. difficile diarrhea. Which assessments should the nurse use to detect fluid
volume deficit in this patient? (Select all that apply)
A. Observe for flatness of neck veins when supine
B. Measure rate and character of pulse
C. Test for skin turgor
D. Assess for peripheral edema
A, B, C
RATIONALE: Flat neck veins indicate decreased intravascular volume and
low central venous pressure. Hypovolemia triggers tachycardia with a weak,
thready pulse. Dehydration reduces skin elasticity, and poor skin turgor is a
sign of fluid deficit. Peripheral edema indicates fluid overload, not deficit.
Question 4
The patient is receiving tube feedings due to jaw surgery. What change in
assessment findings should prompt the nurse to request an order for serum
sodium concentration?
A. Decreased level of consciousness
B. Increased appetite
C. Improved wound healing
D. Stable vital signs
, A
RATIONALE: Tube feedings can cause fluid and electrolyte imbalances,
including hypernatremia or hyponatremia. Both conditions can cause
neurological symptoms. A sudden decrease in level of consciousness is a
critical sign of severe sodium imbalance.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a patient prescribed peripheral intravenous therapy.
Which task will the nurse assign to the nursing assistant (NA)?
A. Recording intake and output
B. Starting the IV infusion
C. Assessing the IV site for infiltration
D. Adjusting the IV flow rate
A
RATIONALE: Recording intake and output is a task that can be delegated
to nursing assistants. Starting IV infusions, assessing IV sites, and adjusting
flow rates are nursing responsibilities that require clinical judgment and
assessment skills.
Question 6
What percentage of the human body is composed of water?
A. 30%
B. 40%
C. 60%
D. 80%
C
RATIONALE: The human body is approximately 60% water, though this
percentage can vary based on age, gender, and body composition. Women and
