NU 185
Medical-Surgical Nursing II Exam
2 Comprehensive Study Guide
Exam 2 • 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 2 Comprehensive Study Guide 2026/2027 UPDATE –
Galen
1. A patient presents with a brain injury and has a blood pressure of 180/60 mmHg, a heart
rate of 48 bpm, and irregular respirations. Which condition does this triad indicate?
A. Septic Shock
B. Increased Intracranial Pressure (Cushing’s Triad)
C. Autonomic Dysreflexia
D. Cardiac Tamponade
Answer: B
Rationale: Cushing’s Triad (widened pulse pressure, bradycardia, and irregular
respirations) is a late sign of increased intracranial pressure and impending brain
herniation.
2. A client is in the ICU for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Which clinical finding
is most characteristic of this condition?
A. Refractory hypoxemia regardless of the oxygen concentration
B. Hypoxemia that improves with high-flow oxygen
C. Decreased pulmonary artery wedge pressure
D. Increased lung compliance
, Answer: A
Rationale: Refractory hypoxemia, where the partial pressure of arterial oxygen remains
low despite high concentrations of inspired oxygen, is the hallmark of ARDS.
3. The nurse is caring for a patient who just had a thyroidectomy. The patient reports tingling
in the fingers and around the mouth. Which medication should the nurse have ready?
A. Potassium Chloride
B. Sodium Bicarbonate
C. Calcium Gluconate
D. Magnesium Sulfate
Answer: C
Rationale: Tingling (paresthesia) after a thyroidectomy suggests accidental removal of the
parathyroid glands and resulting hypocalcemia; Calcium Gluconate is the emergency
treatment.
4. Which assessment finding in a patient with a chest tube requires immediate intervention
by the nurse?
A. Fluctuation of the water level with respirations (tidaling)
B. Intermittent bubbling in the water seal chamber during coughing
C. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber
D. 50 mL of serosanguinous drainage in the first hour
Medical-Surgical Nursing II Exam
2 Comprehensive Study Guide
Exam 2 • 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 2 Comprehensive Study Guide 2026/2027 UPDATE –
Galen
1. A patient presents with a brain injury and has a blood pressure of 180/60 mmHg, a heart
rate of 48 bpm, and irregular respirations. Which condition does this triad indicate?
A. Septic Shock
B. Increased Intracranial Pressure (Cushing’s Triad)
C. Autonomic Dysreflexia
D. Cardiac Tamponade
Answer: B
Rationale: Cushing’s Triad (widened pulse pressure, bradycardia, and irregular
respirations) is a late sign of increased intracranial pressure and impending brain
herniation.
2. A client is in the ICU for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Which clinical finding
is most characteristic of this condition?
A. Refractory hypoxemia regardless of the oxygen concentration
B. Hypoxemia that improves with high-flow oxygen
C. Decreased pulmonary artery wedge pressure
D. Increased lung compliance
, Answer: A
Rationale: Refractory hypoxemia, where the partial pressure of arterial oxygen remains
low despite high concentrations of inspired oxygen, is the hallmark of ARDS.
3. The nurse is caring for a patient who just had a thyroidectomy. The patient reports tingling
in the fingers and around the mouth. Which medication should the nurse have ready?
A. Potassium Chloride
B. Sodium Bicarbonate
C. Calcium Gluconate
D. Magnesium Sulfate
Answer: C
Rationale: Tingling (paresthesia) after a thyroidectomy suggests accidental removal of the
parathyroid glands and resulting hypocalcemia; Calcium Gluconate is the emergency
treatment.
4. Which assessment finding in a patient with a chest tube requires immediate intervention
by the nurse?
A. Fluctuation of the water level with respirations (tidaling)
B. Intermittent bubbling in the water seal chamber during coughing
C. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber
D. 50 mL of serosanguinous drainage in the first hour
