NU 185
Exam 4 Medical-Surgical Nursing II Comprehensive
Quiz
Exam 4 • 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 4 Medical-Surgical Nursing II Comprehensive Quiz 2026/2027 UPDATE – Galen
1. A patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is being mechanically ventilated.
The nurse notices the high-pressure alarm is sounding. Which action should the nurse take
first?
A. Assess the patient’s breath sounds and oxygen saturation
B. Suction the patient’s airway
C. Check for kinks in the ventilator tubing
D. Call the respiratory therapist to adjust settings
Answer: A
Rationale: While checking for kinks and suctioning are appropriate, the priority is always
to assess the patient first to determine the cause of the alarm and ensure patient safety.
2. A patient is admitted with a diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome. Which laboratory result is
the nurse most likely to observe?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Hypocalcemia
, Answer: A
Rationale: Cushing’s syndrome involves excessive cortisol, which leads to sodium
retention (hypernatremia) and potassium depletion (hypokalemia).
3. A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L. Which
medication should the nurse anticipate administering first to stabilize the cardiac membrane?
A. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
B. Calcium gluconate
C. Regular insulin and D50
D. Furosemide
Answer: B
Rationale: Calcium gluconate is used in hyperkalemia to stabilize the cardiac muscle cell
membrane and prevent life-threatening arrhythmias, although it does not lower the
potassium level itself.
4. Which clinical manifestation is considered a classic sign of ‘Beck’s Triad’ in cardiac
tamponade?
A. Hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular respirations
B. Muffled heart sounds, jugular venous distention, and hypotension
C. Tachycardia, tachypnea, and clear lung sounds
D. Bounding pulses, widened pulse pressure, and fever
Exam 4 Medical-Surgical Nursing II Comprehensive
Quiz
Exam 4 • 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 4 Medical-Surgical Nursing II Comprehensive Quiz 2026/2027 UPDATE – Galen
1. A patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is being mechanically ventilated.
The nurse notices the high-pressure alarm is sounding. Which action should the nurse take
first?
A. Assess the patient’s breath sounds and oxygen saturation
B. Suction the patient’s airway
C. Check for kinks in the ventilator tubing
D. Call the respiratory therapist to adjust settings
Answer: A
Rationale: While checking for kinks and suctioning are appropriate, the priority is always
to assess the patient first to determine the cause of the alarm and ensure patient safety.
2. A patient is admitted with a diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome. Which laboratory result is
the nurse most likely to observe?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Hypocalcemia
, Answer: A
Rationale: Cushing’s syndrome involves excessive cortisol, which leads to sodium
retention (hypernatremia) and potassium depletion (hypokalemia).
3. A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L. Which
medication should the nurse anticipate administering first to stabilize the cardiac membrane?
A. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
B. Calcium gluconate
C. Regular insulin and D50
D. Furosemide
Answer: B
Rationale: Calcium gluconate is used in hyperkalemia to stabilize the cardiac muscle cell
membrane and prevent life-threatening arrhythmias, although it does not lower the
potassium level itself.
4. Which clinical manifestation is considered a classic sign of ‘Beck’s Triad’ in cardiac
tamponade?
A. Hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular respirations
B. Muffled heart sounds, jugular venous distention, and hypotension
C. Tachycardia, tachypnea, and clear lung sounds
D. Bounding pulses, widened pulse pressure, and fever
