NUR 265
Exam 1 Comprehensive Review
(Medical-Surgical Nursing)
Exam Review • High-Yield Practice
UPDATE
Actual Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Clinical Rationales
Practice Questions with Rationales
Galen College of Nursing
NUR 265
✓ 100% Verified Answers
✓ Complete Rationales Included
Exam (elaborations)
Instant PDF Download • Ready for Study
,NUR 265 Exam 1 Comprehensive Review (Medical-Surgical Nursing) 2026/2027 UPDATE –
GALEN
1. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are pH 7.28, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 24
mEq/L. Which clinical condition most likely caused these results?
A. Excessive use of antacids
B. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
C. Acute respiratory failure due to COPD
D. Severe anxiety and hyperventilation
Answer: C
Rationale: The ABG shows respiratory acidosis (low pH, high CO2, normal HCO3).
Respiratory acidosis is caused by alveolar hypoventilation, which is common in chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
2. A patient with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L is admitted. Which cardiac change is
the nurse most likely to observe on the EKG monitor?
A. Prominent U waves
B. ST-segment depression
C. Tall, peaked T waves
D. Shortened PR interval
, Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) typically causes tall, peaked T waves,
widened QRS complexes, and potentially cardiac arrest.
3. When assessing a patient with hypocalcemia, the nurse observes a carpal spasm when the
blood pressure cuff is inflated. This is known as:
A. Babinski’s sign
B. Chvostek’s sign
C. Trousseau’s sign
D. Homans’ sign
Answer: C
Rationale: Trousseau’s sign is a carpal spasm induced by inflating a blood pressure cuff
above systolic pressure, indicating hypocalcemia-related neuromuscular irritability.
4. A patient is diagnosed with metabolic alkalosis. Which compensatory mechanism would
the nurse expect to see?
A. Increased renal excretion of bicarbonate
B. Increased respiratory rate and depth
C. Decreased respiratory rate and depth
D. Increased renal retention of hydrogen ions
Answer: C
Exam 1 Comprehensive Review
(Medical-Surgical Nursing)
Exam Review • High-Yield Practice
UPDATE
Actual Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Clinical Rationales
Practice Questions with Rationales
Galen College of Nursing
NUR 265
✓ 100% Verified Answers
✓ Complete Rationales Included
Exam (elaborations)
Instant PDF Download • Ready for Study
,NUR 265 Exam 1 Comprehensive Review (Medical-Surgical Nursing) 2026/2027 UPDATE –
GALEN
1. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are pH 7.28, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 24
mEq/L. Which clinical condition most likely caused these results?
A. Excessive use of antacids
B. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
C. Acute respiratory failure due to COPD
D. Severe anxiety and hyperventilation
Answer: C
Rationale: The ABG shows respiratory acidosis (low pH, high CO2, normal HCO3).
Respiratory acidosis is caused by alveolar hypoventilation, which is common in chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
2. A patient with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L is admitted. Which cardiac change is
the nurse most likely to observe on the EKG monitor?
A. Prominent U waves
B. ST-segment depression
C. Tall, peaked T waves
D. Shortened PR interval
, Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) typically causes tall, peaked T waves,
widened QRS complexes, and potentially cardiac arrest.
3. When assessing a patient with hypocalcemia, the nurse observes a carpal spasm when the
blood pressure cuff is inflated. This is known as:
A. Babinski’s sign
B. Chvostek’s sign
C. Trousseau’s sign
D. Homans’ sign
Answer: C
Rationale: Trousseau’s sign is a carpal spasm induced by inflating a blood pressure cuff
above systolic pressure, indicating hypocalcemia-related neuromuscular irritability.
4. A patient is diagnosed with metabolic alkalosis. Which compensatory mechanism would
the nurse expect to see?
A. Increased renal excretion of bicarbonate
B. Increased respiratory rate and depth
C. Decreased respiratory rate and depth
D. Increased renal retention of hydrogen ions
Answer: C
