NU 185
MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING II
Exam 3 Comprehensive Review
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 | Exam 3 Review | 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 | Exam 3 Review | 2026/2027 UPDATE
Question 1
A patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is being treated with mechanical ventilation. The nurse notes
the patient’s peak inspiratory pressure is rising. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Check the ventilator tubing for kinks or condensation
B. Suction the patient to clear potential secretions
C. Increase the PEEP setting on the ventilator
D. Administer a neuromuscular blocking agent
Answer: A
Rationale
High-pressure alarms are often caused by increased resistance; the first and least invasive action is to check for mechanical
obstructions like kinks in the tubing. 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 patient in the oliguric phase of acute kidney injury (AKI) has a potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L. Which cardiac monitor
finding is the nurse most likely to observe?
A. Prominent U waves
B. Tall, peaked T waves
C. ST-segment depression
D. Prolonged QT interval
Answer: B
Rationale
Hyperkalemia, common in AKI, causes characteristic EKG changes including tall, peaked T waves, widened QRS complexes,
and eventually ventricular fibrillation if untreated. 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
Exam 3 Comprehensive Review
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 | Exam 3 Review | 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 | Exam 3 Review | 2026/2027 UPDATE
Question 1
A patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is being treated with mechanical ventilation. The nurse notes
the patient’s peak inspiratory pressure is rising. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Check the ventilator tubing for kinks or condensation
B. Suction the patient to clear potential secretions
C. Increase the PEEP setting on the ventilator
D. Administer a neuromuscular blocking agent
Answer: A
Rationale
High-pressure alarms are often caused by increased resistance; the first and least invasive action is to check for mechanical
obstructions like kinks in the tubing. 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 patient in the oliguric phase of acute kidney injury (AKI) has a potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L. Which cardiac monitor
finding is the nurse most likely to observe?
A. Prominent U waves
B. Tall, peaked T waves
C. ST-segment depression
D. Prolonged QT interval
Answer: B
Rationale
Hyperkalemia, common in AKI, causes characteristic EKG changes including tall, peaked T waves, widened QRS complexes,
and eventually ventricular fibrillation if untreated. 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
