NU 185
MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING II
Medical-Surgical Nursing II Review 17
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 17 | 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 17 | 2026/2027 UPDATE
Question 1
A patient with a history of heart failure presents with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L and peaked T waves on the EKG.
Which medication should the nurse expect to administer first to stabilize the cardiac membrane?
A. Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate (Kayexalate)
B. Furosemide (Lasix)
C. Regular Insulin and D50
D. Calcium Gluconate
Answer: D
Rationale
Calcium gluconate does not lower potassium but is administered first in severe hyperkalemia to stabilize the myocardial cell
membrane and prevent life-threatening dysrhythmias. 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 hemodynamic finding is most characteristic of a patient in the early stages of Septic Shock?
A. Increased Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)
B. Decreased Cardiac Output (CO)
C. Increased Central Venous Pressure (CVP)
D. Decreased Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)
Answer: D
Rationale
Early or ‘warm’ septic shock is characterized by massive vasodilation, which leads to a decrease in SVR despite a high or
normal cardiac output. 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 17
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 17 | 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 17 | 2026/2027 UPDATE
Question 1
A patient with a history of heart failure presents with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L and peaked T waves on the EKG.
Which medication should the nurse expect to administer first to stabilize the cardiac membrane?
A. Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate (Kayexalate)
B. Furosemide (Lasix)
C. Regular Insulin and D50
D. Calcium Gluconate
Answer: D
Rationale
Calcium gluconate does not lower potassium but is administered first in severe hyperkalemia to stabilize the myocardial cell
membrane and prevent life-threatening dysrhythmias. 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 hemodynamic finding is most characteristic of a patient in the early stages of Septic Shock?
A. Increased Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)
B. Decreased Cardiac Output (CO)
C. Increased Central Venous Pressure (CVP)
D. Decreased Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)
Answer: D
Rationale
Early or ‘warm’ septic shock is characterized by massive vasodilation, which leads to a decrease in SVR despite a high or
normal cardiac output. 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
