NU 155 MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING I
- EXAM 2 COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 100%
GUARANTEE PASS | GALEN COLLEGE
OF NURSING
1. A patient is scheduled for surgery. The nurse notices the surgical consent form is signed,
but the patient states, ‘I’m still not sure why they have to remove my whole gallbladder.’
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Explain the procedure to the patient in detail.
B. Proceed with preoperative checklist as the form is already signed.
C. Notify the surgeon that the patient has further questions.
D. Reassure the patient that the surgeon is highly skilled.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The nurse’s role in informed consent is to witness the signature.
If the patient expresses a lack of understanding regarding the procedure, the nurse must
notify the surgeon to provide further explanation before proceeding.
,2. During a procedure, the circulating nurse notes the patient is developing tachycardia, jaw
muscle rigidity, and a rapidly rising body temperature. Which medication should be prepared
immediately?
A. Dantrolene sodium
B. Epinephrine
C. Atropine sulfate
D. Naloxone
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Tachycardia, muscle rigidity, and hyperthermia are signs of
Malignant Hyperthermia, a life-threatening anesthetic complication. Dantrolene is the
skeletal muscle relaxant used to treat it.
3. A post-operative patient reports sudden sharp chest pain and dyspnea. The nurse notes a
respiratory rate of 28 breaths/min and oxygen saturation of 88%. What is the priority nursing
intervention?
A. Administer the prescribed PRN morphine.
B. Apply supplemental oxygen and elevate the head of the bed.
C. Obtain a 12-lead ECG immediately.
D. Encourage the use of the incentive spirometer.
Answer: B
, Conceptual Explanation: Sudden chest pain and dyspnea suggest a pulmonary embolism.
Applying oxygen and positioning the patient to facilitate lung expansion are the immediate
priorities to stabilize oxygenation.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is a patient most at risk for when receiving multiple units of
packed red blood cells rapidly?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Citrate is used as a preservative in blood products. It binds to
calcium, which can lead to hypocalcemia (citrate toxicity) during rapid large-volume
transfusions.
5. A patient’s ABG results are: pH 7.31, PaCO2 52 mmHg, HCO3 26 mEq/L. Which condition
does the nurse suspect?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
- EXAM 2 COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 100%
GUARANTEE PASS | GALEN COLLEGE
OF NURSING
1. A patient is scheduled for surgery. The nurse notices the surgical consent form is signed,
but the patient states, ‘I’m still not sure why they have to remove my whole gallbladder.’
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Explain the procedure to the patient in detail.
B. Proceed with preoperative checklist as the form is already signed.
C. Notify the surgeon that the patient has further questions.
D. Reassure the patient that the surgeon is highly skilled.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The nurse’s role in informed consent is to witness the signature.
If the patient expresses a lack of understanding regarding the procedure, the nurse must
notify the surgeon to provide further explanation before proceeding.
,2. During a procedure, the circulating nurse notes the patient is developing tachycardia, jaw
muscle rigidity, and a rapidly rising body temperature. Which medication should be prepared
immediately?
A. Dantrolene sodium
B. Epinephrine
C. Atropine sulfate
D. Naloxone
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Tachycardia, muscle rigidity, and hyperthermia are signs of
Malignant Hyperthermia, a life-threatening anesthetic complication. Dantrolene is the
skeletal muscle relaxant used to treat it.
3. A post-operative patient reports sudden sharp chest pain and dyspnea. The nurse notes a
respiratory rate of 28 breaths/min and oxygen saturation of 88%. What is the priority nursing
intervention?
A. Administer the prescribed PRN morphine.
B. Apply supplemental oxygen and elevate the head of the bed.
C. Obtain a 12-lead ECG immediately.
D. Encourage the use of the incentive spirometer.
Answer: B
, Conceptual Explanation: Sudden chest pain and dyspnea suggest a pulmonary embolism.
Applying oxygen and positioning the patient to facilitate lung expansion are the immediate
priorities to stabilize oxygenation.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is a patient most at risk for when receiving multiple units of
packed red blood cells rapidly?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Citrate is used as a preservative in blood products. It binds to
calcium, which can lead to hypocalcemia (citrate toxicity) during rapid large-volume
transfusions.
5. A patient’s ABG results are: pH 7.31, PaCO2 52 mmHg, HCO3 26 mEq/L. Which condition
does the nurse suspect?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
