NU 185
MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING II
Medical-Surgical Nursing II Review 5
UPDATE
50 Multiple-Choice Questions
Complete Answers with Detailed Rationales
Aligned with Medical-Surgical Nursing Standards
Galen College | NU 185 | Medical-Surgical Nursing II
Cardiac • Respiratory • Endocrine • GI • Renal • Neurological • Perioperative
For academic study and exam review • Verify with current course materials
,NU 185 | Review 5 | 2026/2027 UPDATE
How to Use This Review
This comprehensive exam review contains high-yield multiple-choice questions covering the core clinical topics of NU 185
Medical-Surgical Nursing II. Each item is followed by the correct answer and an expanded rationale that explains the
underlying pathophysiology or nursing priority, why the correct option is preferred, and why the distractors are incorrect.
Topics span cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, gastrointestinal, renal, neurological, and perioperative care. Study tip:
Attempt each question before reading the answer. Then carefully review the detailed rationale and relate the concepts to
clinical practice.
Topic Index (Selected High-Yield Areas)
• Heart failure (left vs right), ACS, arrhythmias, hypertension management
• COPD, asthma, pneumonia, respiratory failure, ABG interpretation
• Diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders, adrenal crises and emergencies
• GI bleeding, pancreatitis, liver disease, bowel obstruction priorities
• Acute kidney injury, CKD, fluid & electrolyte imbalances
• Stroke, increased ICP, seizures, neurological assessment
• Perioperative care, post-op complications, pain management
• Infection, sepsis, shock states, and priority nursing interventions
Page 2
, NU 185 | Review 5 | 2026/2027 UPDATE
Question 1
A patient with a T4 spinal cord injury reports a pounding headache and nasal congestion. The nurse notes a BP of
190/100 mmHg and bradycardia. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer prescribed antihypertensive medication.
B. Check the patient’s bladder for distension or a kinked catheter.
C. Place the patient in a supine position immediately.
D. Perform a digital rectal exam to check for fecal impaction.
Answer: B
Rationale
The symptoms describe autonomic dysreflexia, a medical emergency. The priority is to identify and remove the noxious
stimulus, most commonly a full bladder or bowel impaction. Understanding this concept is essential for safe clinical
decision-making. Incorrect choices often reflect common misconceptions about pathophysiology or prioritization. Always link
assessment data to the primary disease process and anticipated complications.
Question 2
A client is in the oliguric phase of acute kidney injury (AKI). Which laboratory finding should the nurse anticipate?
A. Hyperphosphatemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale
In the oliguric phase of AKI, the kidneys cannot excrete phosphorus, leading to hyperphosphatemia. This is often
accompanied by hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis. Understanding this concept is essential for safe clinical
decision-making. Incorrect choices often reflect common misconceptions about pathophysiology or prioritization. Always link
assessment data to the primary disease process and anticipated complications.
Page 3
MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING II
Medical-Surgical Nursing II Review 5
UPDATE
50 Multiple-Choice Questions
Complete Answers with Detailed Rationales
Aligned with Medical-Surgical Nursing Standards
Galen College | NU 185 | Medical-Surgical Nursing II
Cardiac • Respiratory • Endocrine • GI • Renal • Neurological • Perioperative
For academic study and exam review • Verify with current course materials
,NU 185 | Review 5 | 2026/2027 UPDATE
How to Use This Review
This comprehensive exam review contains high-yield multiple-choice questions covering the core clinical topics of NU 185
Medical-Surgical Nursing II. Each item is followed by the correct answer and an expanded rationale that explains the
underlying pathophysiology or nursing priority, why the correct option is preferred, and why the distractors are incorrect.
Topics span cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, gastrointestinal, renal, neurological, and perioperative care. Study tip:
Attempt each question before reading the answer. Then carefully review the detailed rationale and relate the concepts to
clinical practice.
Topic Index (Selected High-Yield Areas)
• Heart failure (left vs right), ACS, arrhythmias, hypertension management
• COPD, asthma, pneumonia, respiratory failure, ABG interpretation
• Diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders, adrenal crises and emergencies
• GI bleeding, pancreatitis, liver disease, bowel obstruction priorities
• Acute kidney injury, CKD, fluid & electrolyte imbalances
• Stroke, increased ICP, seizures, neurological assessment
• Perioperative care, post-op complications, pain management
• Infection, sepsis, shock states, and priority nursing interventions
Page 2
, NU 185 | Review 5 | 2026/2027 UPDATE
Question 1
A patient with a T4 spinal cord injury reports a pounding headache and nasal congestion. The nurse notes a BP of
190/100 mmHg and bradycardia. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer prescribed antihypertensive medication.
B. Check the patient’s bladder for distension or a kinked catheter.
C. Place the patient in a supine position immediately.
D. Perform a digital rectal exam to check for fecal impaction.
Answer: B
Rationale
The symptoms describe autonomic dysreflexia, a medical emergency. The priority is to identify and remove the noxious
stimulus, most commonly a full bladder or bowel impaction. Understanding this concept is essential for safe clinical
decision-making. Incorrect choices often reflect common misconceptions about pathophysiology or prioritization. Always link
assessment data to the primary disease process and anticipated complications.
Question 2
A client is in the oliguric phase of acute kidney injury (AKI). Which laboratory finding should the nurse anticipate?
A. Hyperphosphatemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale
In the oliguric phase of AKI, the kidneys cannot excrete phosphorus, leading to hyperphosphatemia. This is often
accompanied by hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis. Understanding this concept is essential for safe clinical
decision-making. Incorrect choices often reflect common misconceptions about pathophysiology or prioritization. Always link
assessment data to the primary disease process and anticipated complications.
Page 3
