NUR 170
Medical-Surgical Nursing Exam
2 Advanced Study Guide
Exam 2 • Practice Questions & Rationales
UPDATE
Actual Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Clinical Rationales
Practice Questions with Rationales
Galen College of Nursing
NUR 170
✓ 100% Verified Answers
✓ Complete Rationales Included
Exam (elaborations)
Instant PDF Download • Ready for Study
,NUR 170 Medical-Surgical Nursing | Exam 2 Advanced Study Guide 2026/2027 UPDATED –
Galen
1. A patient with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is admitted with
increased dyspnea. The arterial blood gas (ABG) results show: pH 7.30, PaCO2 58 mmHg, and
HCO3 30 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these results?
A. Respiratory acidosis, fully compensated
B. Metabolic acidosis, uncompensated
C. Respiratory acidosis, partially compensated
D. Metabolic alkalosis, partially compensated
Answer: C
Rationale: The pH is acidic (below 7.35), the PaCO2 is high (above 45) indicating a
respiratory cause, and the HCO3 is elevated (above 26) showing the kidneys are attempting
to compensate, but since the pH is not back to normal, it is partially compensated.
2. During the preoperative assessment, a patient mentions a severe allergy to avocados and
bananas. Which action by the nurse is most critical?
A. Notify the dietary department to avoid these foods
B. Alert the surgical team to a potential latex allergy
C. Document the food allergy in the electronic health record
, D. Ask the patient if they have ever had a reaction to contrast dye
Answer: B
Rationale: Cross-sensitivity exists between certain foods (avocados, bananas, chestnuts,
kiwis) and latex. Patients with these food allergies are at a higher risk for latex
hypersensitivity during surgery.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient who underwent a thyroidectomy 6 hours ago. The patient
reports numbness and tingling in the fingers and around the mouth. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A. Check the patient’s potassium level
B. Encourage the patient to use an incentive spirometer
C. Administer a prescribed sedative for anxiety
D. Assess for Chvostek’s and Trousseau’s signs
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypocalcemia is a risk after thyroid surgery due to potential accidental removal
or damage to the parathyroid glands. Numbness and tingling (paresthesia) are early signs
of hypocalcemia, which can be further assessed via Chvostek’s or Trousseau’s signs.
4. Which intravenous solution is considered hypotonic and should be administered with
caution to avoid cerebral edema?
A. 0.9% Normal Saline
Medical-Surgical Nursing Exam
2 Advanced Study Guide
Exam 2 • Practice Questions & Rationales
UPDATE
Actual Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Clinical Rationales
Practice Questions with Rationales
Galen College of Nursing
NUR 170
✓ 100% Verified Answers
✓ Complete Rationales Included
Exam (elaborations)
Instant PDF Download • Ready for Study
,NUR 170 Medical-Surgical Nursing | Exam 2 Advanced Study Guide 2026/2027 UPDATED –
Galen
1. A patient with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is admitted with
increased dyspnea. The arterial blood gas (ABG) results show: pH 7.30, PaCO2 58 mmHg, and
HCO3 30 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these results?
A. Respiratory acidosis, fully compensated
B. Metabolic acidosis, uncompensated
C. Respiratory acidosis, partially compensated
D. Metabolic alkalosis, partially compensated
Answer: C
Rationale: The pH is acidic (below 7.35), the PaCO2 is high (above 45) indicating a
respiratory cause, and the HCO3 is elevated (above 26) showing the kidneys are attempting
to compensate, but since the pH is not back to normal, it is partially compensated.
2. During the preoperative assessment, a patient mentions a severe allergy to avocados and
bananas. Which action by the nurse is most critical?
A. Notify the dietary department to avoid these foods
B. Alert the surgical team to a potential latex allergy
C. Document the food allergy in the electronic health record
, D. Ask the patient if they have ever had a reaction to contrast dye
Answer: B
Rationale: Cross-sensitivity exists between certain foods (avocados, bananas, chestnuts,
kiwis) and latex. Patients with these food allergies are at a higher risk for latex
hypersensitivity during surgery.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient who underwent a thyroidectomy 6 hours ago. The patient
reports numbness and tingling in the fingers and around the mouth. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A. Check the patient’s potassium level
B. Encourage the patient to use an incentive spirometer
C. Administer a prescribed sedative for anxiety
D. Assess for Chvostek’s and Trousseau’s signs
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypocalcemia is a risk after thyroid surgery due to potential accidental removal
or damage to the parathyroid glands. Numbness and tingling (paresthesia) are early signs
of hypocalcemia, which can be further assessed via Chvostek’s or Trousseau’s signs.
4. Which intravenous solution is considered hypotonic and should be administered with
caution to avoid cerebral edema?
A. 0.9% Normal Saline
