NU 185
Medical-Surgical Nursing II - Exam
1 Comprehensive Quiz
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 Medical-Surgical Nursing II - Exam 1 Comprehensive Quiz 2026/2027 UPDATED –
Galen
1. A patient in the ICU develops sudden shortness of breath and chest pain. The ABG results
show: pH 7.50, PaCO2 30 mmHg, HCO3 24 mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance is the patient
experiencing?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: D
Rationale: The pH is high (alkalosis) and the PaCO2 is low (respiratory), indicating
respiratory alkalosis, likely due to hyperventilation from pain or anxiety.
2. When assessing a patient with a suspected tension pneumothorax, which clinical finding
should the nurse prioritize?
A. Tracheal deviation to the unaffected side
B. Increased tactile fremitus
C. Dullness to percussion on the affected side
D. Bradypnea
, Answer: A
Rationale: Tracheal deviation is a late and critical sign of tension pneumothorax, indicating
significant mediastinal shift and potential cardiovascular collapse.
3. A patient is admitted with a diagnosis of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). The
nurse understands that the hallmark characteristic of ARDS is:
A. Hypoxemia that responds well to high-flow oxygen
B. Refractory hypoxemia
C. Increased lung compliance
D. Pulmonary edema due to left-sided heart failure
Answer: B
Rationale: Refractory hypoxemia is the inability to improve arterial oxygenation despite
increasing concentrations of inspired oxygen, a key feature of ARDS.
4. Which mechanical ventilator setting is specifically designed to keep the alveoli open at the
end of expiration to improve gas exchange?
A. Tidal Volume (Vt)
B. Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP)
C. Fraction of Inspired Oxygen (FiO2)
D. Inspiratory Rate
Answer: B
Medical-Surgical Nursing II - Exam
1 Comprehensive Quiz
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 Medical-Surgical Nursing II - Exam 1 Comprehensive Quiz 2026/2027 UPDATED –
Galen
1. A patient in the ICU develops sudden shortness of breath and chest pain. The ABG results
show: pH 7.50, PaCO2 30 mmHg, HCO3 24 mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance is the patient
experiencing?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: D
Rationale: The pH is high (alkalosis) and the PaCO2 is low (respiratory), indicating
respiratory alkalosis, likely due to hyperventilation from pain or anxiety.
2. When assessing a patient with a suspected tension pneumothorax, which clinical finding
should the nurse prioritize?
A. Tracheal deviation to the unaffected side
B. Increased tactile fremitus
C. Dullness to percussion on the affected side
D. Bradypnea
, Answer: A
Rationale: Tracheal deviation is a late and critical sign of tension pneumothorax, indicating
significant mediastinal shift and potential cardiovascular collapse.
3. A patient is admitted with a diagnosis of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). The
nurse understands that the hallmark characteristic of ARDS is:
A. Hypoxemia that responds well to high-flow oxygen
B. Refractory hypoxemia
C. Increased lung compliance
D. Pulmonary edema due to left-sided heart failure
Answer: B
Rationale: Refractory hypoxemia is the inability to improve arterial oxygenation despite
increasing concentrations of inspired oxygen, a key feature of ARDS.
4. Which mechanical ventilator setting is specifically designed to keep the alveoli open at the
end of expiration to improve gas exchange?
A. Tidal Volume (Vt)
B. Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP)
C. Fraction of Inspired Oxygen (FiO2)
D. Inspiratory Rate
Answer: B
