NU 185
MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING II
Medical-Surgical Nursing II Review 12
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 12 | 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 12 | 2026/2027 UPDATE
Question 1
A patient with Atrial Fibrillation is prescribed Warfarin. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor to evaluate the
effectiveness of this medication?
A. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Platelet Count
D. Prothrombin Time (PT) only
Answer: B
Rationale
INR is the standard measurement for monitoring the effectiveness of Warfarin therapy, typically targeting a range of 2.0 to 3.0
for AFib. 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 nurse is caring for a patient with Right-Sided Heart Failure. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of this
condition?
A. Jugular Venous Distension (JVD)
B. Orthopnea
C. Crackles in the lungs
D. Dyspnea on exertion
Answer: A
Rationale
Right-sided heart failure leads to systemic venous congestion, manifesting as JVD, peripheral edema, and hepatomegaly.
Lung crackles and orthopnea are signs of Left- sided failure. 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 12
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 12 | 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 12 | 2026/2027 UPDATE
Question 1
A patient with Atrial Fibrillation is prescribed Warfarin. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor to evaluate the
effectiveness of this medication?
A. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Platelet Count
D. Prothrombin Time (PT) only
Answer: B
Rationale
INR is the standard measurement for monitoring the effectiveness of Warfarin therapy, typically targeting a range of 2.0 to 3.0
for AFib. 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 nurse is caring for a patient with Right-Sided Heart Failure. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of this
condition?
A. Jugular Venous Distension (JVD)
B. Orthopnea
C. Crackles in the lungs
D. Dyspnea on exertion
Answer: A
Rationale
Right-sided heart failure leads to systemic venous congestion, manifesting as JVD, peripheral edema, and hepatomegaly.
Lung crackles and orthopnea are signs of Left- sided failure. 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
