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 receiving mechanical ventilation with High-Frequency
Oscillatory Ventilation (HFOV). Which finding most accurately indicates the effectiveness of this intervention?
A. An increase in PaO2 while using lower Peak Inspiratory Pressures
B. A decrease in the patient’s spontaneous respiratory rate
C. Clear breath sounds bilaterally upon auscultation
D. Normalization of the heart rate and blood pressure
Answer: A
Rationale
The primary goal of HFOV in ARDS is to improve oxygenation (PaO2) while protecting the lungs from barotrauma by using low
tidal volumes and lower peak pressures. 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
When managing a patient in the hyperdynamic phase of septic shock, which hemodynamic finding should the nurse
anticipate?
A. Increased Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)
B. Decreased Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)
C. Increased Central Venous Pressure (CVP)
D. Decreased Cardiac Output (CO)
Answer: B
Rationale
In the early (hyperdynamic) phase of septic shock, massive vasodilation leads to a significant decrease in SVR, while CO
often remains high to compensate. 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 receiving mechanical ventilation with High-Frequency
Oscillatory Ventilation (HFOV). Which finding most accurately indicates the effectiveness of this intervention?
A. An increase in PaO2 while using lower Peak Inspiratory Pressures
B. A decrease in the patient’s spontaneous respiratory rate
C. Clear breath sounds bilaterally upon auscultation
D. Normalization of the heart rate and blood pressure
Answer: A
Rationale
The primary goal of HFOV in ARDS is to improve oxygenation (PaO2) while protecting the lungs from barotrauma by using low
tidal volumes and lower peak pressures. 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
When managing a patient in the hyperdynamic phase of septic shock, which hemodynamic finding should the nurse
anticipate?
A. Increased Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)
B. Decreased Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)
C. Increased Central Venous Pressure (CVP)
D. Decreased Cardiac Output (CO)
Answer: B
Rationale
In the early (hyperdynamic) phase of septic shock, massive vasodilation leads to a significant decrease in SVR, while CO
often remains high to compensate. 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
