NU 185
Medical-Surgical Nursing II Comprehensive Exam
Prep
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 Medical-Surgical Nursing II Comprehensive Exam Prep 2026/2027 UPDATE- Galen
1. A patient with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) has a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score that has
shifted from 10 to 8. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Prepare for immediate endotracheal intubation.
B. Continue to monitor neurological status every 15 minutes.
C. Increase the IV fluid rate to maintain cerebral perfusion pressure.
D. Notify the family that the patient’s condition is deteriorating.
Answer: A
Rationale: A GCS score of 8 or less indicates a severe brain injury and the inability to
maintain a patent airway; therefore, intubation is the priority to ensure ventilation and
protection of the airway.
2. Which clinical finding is most characteristic of a patient experiencing Autonomic
Dysreflexia?
A. Tachycardia and hypotension
B. Flaccid paralysis below the level of injury
C. Severe headache and profuse sweating above the level of injury
D. Pale, cool skin above the level of injury
, Answer: C
Rationale: Autonomic dysreflexia is a medical emergency in spinal cord injury patients (T6
or above) characterized by sudden severe hypertension, bradycardia, a pounding
headache, and flushing/sweating above the lesion.
3. A patient in the ICU is suspected of having Diabetes Insipidus (DI) following neurosurgery.
Which laboratory finding supports this diagnosis?
A. Urine specific gravity of 1.035
B. Serum sodium level of 128 mEq/L
C. Urine osmolality less than 100 mOsm/kg
D. Decreased serum osmolality
Answer: C
Rationale: Diabetes Insipidus is characterized by a deficiency of ADH, leading to the
excretion of large amounts of dilute urine. This results in a low urine osmolality and low
urine specific gravity, alongside high serum sodium and osmolality.
4. A patient with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) presents with a potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L
and ECG changes including peaked T-waves. Which medication should the nurse administer
first to protect the heart?
A. Calcium Gluconate
B. Regular Insulin and D50W
Medical-Surgical Nursing II Comprehensive Exam
Prep
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 Medical-Surgical Nursing II Comprehensive Exam Prep 2026/2027 UPDATE- Galen
1. A patient with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) has a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score that has
shifted from 10 to 8. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Prepare for immediate endotracheal intubation.
B. Continue to monitor neurological status every 15 minutes.
C. Increase the IV fluid rate to maintain cerebral perfusion pressure.
D. Notify the family that the patient’s condition is deteriorating.
Answer: A
Rationale: A GCS score of 8 or less indicates a severe brain injury and the inability to
maintain a patent airway; therefore, intubation is the priority to ensure ventilation and
protection of the airway.
2. Which clinical finding is most characteristic of a patient experiencing Autonomic
Dysreflexia?
A. Tachycardia and hypotension
B. Flaccid paralysis below the level of injury
C. Severe headache and profuse sweating above the level of injury
D. Pale, cool skin above the level of injury
, Answer: C
Rationale: Autonomic dysreflexia is a medical emergency in spinal cord injury patients (T6
or above) characterized by sudden severe hypertension, bradycardia, a pounding
headache, and flushing/sweating above the lesion.
3. A patient in the ICU is suspected of having Diabetes Insipidus (DI) following neurosurgery.
Which laboratory finding supports this diagnosis?
A. Urine specific gravity of 1.035
B. Serum sodium level of 128 mEq/L
C. Urine osmolality less than 100 mOsm/kg
D. Decreased serum osmolality
Answer: C
Rationale: Diabetes Insipidus is characterized by a deficiency of ADH, leading to the
excretion of large amounts of dilute urine. This results in a low urine osmolality and low
urine specific gravity, alongside high serum sodium and osmolality.
4. A patient with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) presents with a potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L
and ECG changes including peaked T-waves. Which medication should the nurse administer
first to protect the heart?
A. Calcium Gluconate
B. Regular Insulin and D50W
