NU 185
Medical-Surgical Nursing II Exam 2 Prep
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 Prep 2026/2027 UPDATE- Galen
1. A nurse is caring for a patient receiving a blood transfusion who suddenly complains of low
back pain and develops a fever. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Stop the infusion and hang normal saline with new tubing
B. Administer diphenhydramine as ordered
C. Slow the infusion rate and notify the physician
D. Document the symptoms and continue monitoring
Answer: A
Rationale: Low back pain and fever are classic signs of a hemolytic transfusion reaction.
The immediate priority is to stop the transfusion to prevent further exposure to
incompatible blood and maintain IV access with new tubing and normal saline.
2. A patient with a CD4+ T-cell count of 180 cells/mm3 and a diagnosis of Pneumocystis
jirovecii pneumonia is admitted. How should the nurse categorize this stage of HIV infection?
A. Stage 1 (Acute Infection)
B. Stage 2 (Latency)
C. Stage 3 (AIDS)
D. Stage 4 (Unknown)
, Answer: C
Rationale: According to the CDC, an individual is diagnosed with AIDS (Stage 3) when their
CD4+ count drops below 200 cells/mm3 or if they develop an AIDS-defining opportunistic
infection, such as PCP.
3. A patient diagnosed with Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) is most likely to
exhibit which of the following laboratory results?
A. Decreased D-dimer and increased platelets
B. Increased Platelets and decreased INR
C. Shortened PTT and increased Hemoglobin
D. Prolonged PT/PTT and decreased Fibrinogen
Answer: D
Rationale: DIC is characterized by the depletion of clotting factors and platelets. Therefore,
PT/PTT are prolonged, while fibrinogen and platelets are decreased as they are consumed
by widespread micro-clotting.
4. When teaching a patient with iron-deficiency anemia about liquid oral iron supplements,
which instruction is most important?
A. Drink the medication through a straw
B. Take the medication with a full glass of milk
C. Avoid Vitamin C while taking the supplement
Medical-Surgical Nursing II Exam 2 Prep
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 Prep 2026/2027 UPDATE- Galen
1. A nurse is caring for a patient receiving a blood transfusion who suddenly complains of low
back pain and develops a fever. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Stop the infusion and hang normal saline with new tubing
B. Administer diphenhydramine as ordered
C. Slow the infusion rate and notify the physician
D. Document the symptoms and continue monitoring
Answer: A
Rationale: Low back pain and fever are classic signs of a hemolytic transfusion reaction.
The immediate priority is to stop the transfusion to prevent further exposure to
incompatible blood and maintain IV access with new tubing and normal saline.
2. A patient with a CD4+ T-cell count of 180 cells/mm3 and a diagnosis of Pneumocystis
jirovecii pneumonia is admitted. How should the nurse categorize this stage of HIV infection?
A. Stage 1 (Acute Infection)
B. Stage 2 (Latency)
C. Stage 3 (AIDS)
D. Stage 4 (Unknown)
, Answer: C
Rationale: According to the CDC, an individual is diagnosed with AIDS (Stage 3) when their
CD4+ count drops below 200 cells/mm3 or if they develop an AIDS-defining opportunistic
infection, such as PCP.
3. A patient diagnosed with Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) is most likely to
exhibit which of the following laboratory results?
A. Decreased D-dimer and increased platelets
B. Increased Platelets and decreased INR
C. Shortened PTT and increased Hemoglobin
D. Prolonged PT/PTT and decreased Fibrinogen
Answer: D
Rationale: DIC is characterized by the depletion of clotting factors and platelets. Therefore,
PT/PTT are prolonged, while fibrinogen and platelets are decreased as they are consumed
by widespread micro-clotting.
4. When teaching a patient with iron-deficiency anemia about liquid oral iron supplements,
which instruction is most important?
A. Drink the medication through a straw
B. Take the medication with a full glass of milk
C. Avoid Vitamin C while taking the supplement