NU 185
Final Exam
Medical-Surgical Nursing II Study Guide
Final Exam • Comprehensive Study Guide
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 Final Exam: Medical-Surgical Nursing II Study Guide 2026/2027 UPDATE – Galen
1. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes presents with Kussmaul respirations, a blood glucose of 550
mg/dL, and arterial pH of 7.25. Which is the priority intervention?
A. Administer subcutaneous glargine insulin
B. Start a potassium infusion at 20 mEq/hr
C. Initiate IV 0.9% normal saline bolus
D. Administer sodium bicarbonate IV push
Answer: C
Rationale: Fluid resuscitation is the immediate priority in DKA to restore circulatory
volume and perfusion before addressing hyperglycemia with insulin.
2. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark of Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic
Hormone (SIADH)?
A. Hypotension and tachycardia
B. Urine specific gravity 1.002
C. Polyuria and extreme thirst
D. Serum sodium 118 mEq/L
Answer: D
, Rationale: SIADH results in water retention and dilutional hyponatremia. Low serum
sodium is the primary finding, while low specific gravity and polyuria are characteristic of
Diabetes Insipidus.
3. A patient with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has a potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L. Which
medication should the nurse expect to administer first to protect the heart?
A. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate)
B. Calcium gluconate IV
C. Regular insulin and D50W
D. Furosemide (Lasix)
Answer: B
Rationale: Calcium gluconate does not lower potassium but stabilizes the myocardial cell
membrane to prevent lethal dysrhythmias in severe hyperkalemia.
4. A patient post-thyroidectomy develops tetany and a positive Chvostek’s sign. Which
electrolyte imbalance is likely?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: A
Final Exam
Medical-Surgical Nursing II Study Guide
Final Exam • Comprehensive Study Guide
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 Final Exam: Medical-Surgical Nursing II Study Guide 2026/2027 UPDATE – Galen
1. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes presents with Kussmaul respirations, a blood glucose of 550
mg/dL, and arterial pH of 7.25. Which is the priority intervention?
A. Administer subcutaneous glargine insulin
B. Start a potassium infusion at 20 mEq/hr
C. Initiate IV 0.9% normal saline bolus
D. Administer sodium bicarbonate IV push
Answer: C
Rationale: Fluid resuscitation is the immediate priority in DKA to restore circulatory
volume and perfusion before addressing hyperglycemia with insulin.
2. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark of Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic
Hormone (SIADH)?
A. Hypotension and tachycardia
B. Urine specific gravity 1.002
C. Polyuria and extreme thirst
D. Serum sodium 118 mEq/L
Answer: D
, Rationale: SIADH results in water retention and dilutional hyponatremia. Low serum
sodium is the primary finding, while low specific gravity and polyuria are characteristic of
Diabetes Insipidus.
3. A patient with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has a potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L. Which
medication should the nurse expect to administer first to protect the heart?
A. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate)
B. Calcium gluconate IV
C. Regular insulin and D50W
D. Furosemide (Lasix)
Answer: B
Rationale: Calcium gluconate does not lower potassium but stabilizes the myocardial cell
membrane to prevent lethal dysrhythmias in severe hyperkalemia.
4. A patient post-thyroidectomy develops tetany and a positive Chvostek’s sign. Which
electrolyte imbalance is likely?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: A
