NU 185
Exam 1 Medical-Surgical Nursing II
Exam 1 • Practice Questions & Rationales
UPDATE
Actual Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Clinical Rationales
Practice Questions with Rationales
Galen College of Nursing
NU 185
✓ 100% Verified Answers
✓ Complete Rationales Included
Exam (elaborations)
Instant PDF Download • Ready for Study
,NU 185 Exam 1 Medical-Surgical Nursing II 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. How should the nurse interpret these findings?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg indicates a
respiratory cause. Since the HCO3 is normal, it is uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
2. A client is admitted with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which EKG change is the
nurse most likely to observe?
A. Prominent U waves
B. Prolonged QT interval
C. Tall peaked T waves
D. ST-segment depression
Answer: C
, Rationale: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0) causes characteristic EKG changes including tall
peaked T waves, widened QRS, and prolonged PR intervals.
3. The nurse is caring for a patient post-operatively who develops sudden shortness of breath
and chest pain. Which complication should the nurse suspect first?
A. Atelectasis
B. Pneumonia
C. Pulmonary Embolism
D. Myocardial Infarction
Answer: C
Rationale: Sudden onset of dyspnea and chest pain in a post-operative patient is a classic
sign of pulmonary embolism, often resulting from a dislodged DVT.
4. Which intravenous fluid is considered hypotonic and would be used to treat intracellular
dehydration?
A. 5% Dextrose in 0.9% Sodium Chloride
B. 0.9% Sodium Chloride
C. Lactated Ringer’s
D. 0.45% Sodium Chloride
Answer: D
Exam 1 Medical-Surgical Nursing II
Exam 1 • Practice Questions & Rationales
UPDATE
Actual Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Clinical Rationales
Practice Questions with Rationales
Galen College of Nursing
NU 185
✓ 100% Verified Answers
✓ Complete Rationales Included
Exam (elaborations)
Instant PDF Download • Ready for Study
,NU 185 Exam 1 Medical-Surgical Nursing II 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. How should the nurse interpret these findings?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg indicates a
respiratory cause. Since the HCO3 is normal, it is uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
2. A client is admitted with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which EKG change is the
nurse most likely to observe?
A. Prominent U waves
B. Prolonged QT interval
C. Tall peaked T waves
D. ST-segment depression
Answer: C
, Rationale: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0) causes characteristic EKG changes including tall
peaked T waves, widened QRS, and prolonged PR intervals.
3. The nurse is caring for a patient post-operatively who develops sudden shortness of breath
and chest pain. Which complication should the nurse suspect first?
A. Atelectasis
B. Pneumonia
C. Pulmonary Embolism
D. Myocardial Infarction
Answer: C
Rationale: Sudden onset of dyspnea and chest pain in a post-operative patient is a classic
sign of pulmonary embolism, often resulting from a dislodged DVT.
4. Which intravenous fluid is considered hypotonic and would be used to treat intracellular
dehydration?
A. 5% Dextrose in 0.9% Sodium Chloride
B. 0.9% Sodium Chloride
C. Lactated Ringer’s
D. 0.45% Sodium Chloride
Answer: D
