NU 185
Medical-Surgical Nursing II Final Exam
Preparation
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 Medical-Surgical Nursing II Final Exam Preparation 2026/2027 UPDATE – Galen
1. A patient in the ICU is being monitored with a pulmonary artery catheter. The nurse notes
a Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure (PCWP) of 22 mmHg. Which clinical manifestation
should the nurse anticipate?
A. Jugular venous distension and peripheral edema
B. Crackles upon auscultation and shortness of breath
C. Decreased urine output and hypotension
D. Clear breath sounds and hypervolemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal PCWP ranges from 4-12 mmHg. A level of 22 mmHg indicates elevated
left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, leading to pulmonary congestion and crackles.
2. A patient with a history of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) presents with a Serum Potassium
of 6.8 mEq/L and peaked T-waves on the EKG. Which medication should the nurse prioritize
for immediate administration to protect the myocardium?
A. Calcium Gluconate
B. Regular Insulin and Dextrose 50%
C. Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate (Kayexalate)
D. Furosemide (Lasix)
, Answer: A
Rationale: While insulin and Kayexalate help lower potassium, Calcium Gluconate is
prioritized first to stabilize the myocardial cell membrane and prevent lethal arrhythmias.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient who suffered a traumatic brain injury. The nurse observes a
BP of 180/60, a heart rate of 48 bpm, and irregular respirations. What does this ‘Cushing’s
Triad’ indicate?
A. Autonomic dysreflexia from a spinal cord injury
B. Hypovolemic shock following trauma
C. Impending brain herniation due to increased intracranial pressure
D. Stabilization of neurological status
Answer: C
Rationale: Cushing’s Triad (widened pulse pressure, bradycardia, and irregular
respirations) is a late sign of significantly increased intracranial pressure and impending
herniation.
4. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of a patient in the ‘Diuretic Phase’ of Acute
Kidney Injury (AKI)?
A. Metabolic acidosis and hyperkalemia
B. Hypovolemia and potential hypokalemia
C. Urine output of 400 mL/day and weight gain
Medical-Surgical Nursing II Final Exam
Preparation
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 Medical-Surgical Nursing II Final Exam Preparation 2026/2027 UPDATE – Galen
1. A patient in the ICU is being monitored with a pulmonary artery catheter. The nurse notes
a Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure (PCWP) of 22 mmHg. Which clinical manifestation
should the nurse anticipate?
A. Jugular venous distension and peripheral edema
B. Crackles upon auscultation and shortness of breath
C. Decreased urine output and hypotension
D. Clear breath sounds and hypervolemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal PCWP ranges from 4-12 mmHg. A level of 22 mmHg indicates elevated
left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, leading to pulmonary congestion and crackles.
2. A patient with a history of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) presents with a Serum Potassium
of 6.8 mEq/L and peaked T-waves on the EKG. Which medication should the nurse prioritize
for immediate administration to protect the myocardium?
A. Calcium Gluconate
B. Regular Insulin and Dextrose 50%
C. Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate (Kayexalate)
D. Furosemide (Lasix)
, Answer: A
Rationale: While insulin and Kayexalate help lower potassium, Calcium Gluconate is
prioritized first to stabilize the myocardial cell membrane and prevent lethal arrhythmias.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient who suffered a traumatic brain injury. The nurse observes a
BP of 180/60, a heart rate of 48 bpm, and irregular respirations. What does this ‘Cushing’s
Triad’ indicate?
A. Autonomic dysreflexia from a spinal cord injury
B. Hypovolemic shock following trauma
C. Impending brain herniation due to increased intracranial pressure
D. Stabilization of neurological status
Answer: C
Rationale: Cushing’s Triad (widened pulse pressure, bradycardia, and irregular
respirations) is a late sign of significantly increased intracranial pressure and impending
herniation.
4. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of a patient in the ‘Diuretic Phase’ of Acute
Kidney Injury (AKI)?
A. Metabolic acidosis and hyperkalemia
B. Hypovolemia and potential hypokalemia
C. Urine output of 400 mL/day and weight gain
