NU 185
MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING II
Medical-Surgical Nursing II Review 15
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 15 | 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 15 | 2026/2027 UPDATE
Question 1
A patient with a history of heart failure is prescribed Digoxin. Which laboratory result would most significantly increase
the risk for Digoxin toxicity?
A. Serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L
B. Serum sodium of 138 mEq/L
C. Serum calcium of 9.5 mg/dL
D. Serum magnesium of 2.0 mEq/L
Answer: A
Rationale
Hypokalemia (low potassium) sensitizes the myocardium to digoxin, significantly increasing the risk of toxicity even if digoxin
levels are within the therapeutic range. 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
Which assessment finding in a patient with left-sided heart failure requires immediate intervention?
A. Peripheral edema in the lower extremities
B. Jugular venous distension (JVD)
C. Frothy, pink-tinged sputum
D. Right upper quadrant tenderness
Answer: C
Rationale
Pink, frothy sputum is a classic sign of acute pulmonary edema, a life- threatening complication of left-sided heart failure
where fluid backs up into the lungs. 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 15
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 15 | 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 15 | 2026/2027 UPDATE
Question 1
A patient with a history of heart failure is prescribed Digoxin. Which laboratory result would most significantly increase
the risk for Digoxin toxicity?
A. Serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L
B. Serum sodium of 138 mEq/L
C. Serum calcium of 9.5 mg/dL
D. Serum magnesium of 2.0 mEq/L
Answer: A
Rationale
Hypokalemia (low potassium) sensitizes the myocardium to digoxin, significantly increasing the risk of toxicity even if digoxin
levels are within the therapeutic range. 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
Which assessment finding in a patient with left-sided heart failure requires immediate intervention?
A. Peripheral edema in the lower extremities
B. Jugular venous distension (JVD)
C. Frothy, pink-tinged sputum
D. Right upper quadrant tenderness
Answer: C
Rationale
Pink, frothy sputum is a classic sign of acute pulmonary edema, a life- threatening complication of left-sided heart failure
where fluid backs up into the lungs. 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
