NU 155 MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING I
EXAM PREP (GALEN COLLEGE)
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 100%
GUARANTEE PASS | GALEN COLLEGE
OF NURSING
1. A patient with a serum potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L is being monitored. Which ECG change
should the nurse expect to see?
A. Tall, peaked T waves
B. Widened QRS complex
C. Presence of U waves
D. Shortened PR interval
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia (potassium < 3.5 mEq/L) is characterized by the
presence of U waves, ST-segment depression, and flattened T waves. Tall peaked T waves
and widened QRS complexes are signs of hyperkalemia.
2. During a surgical procedure, the anesthesiologist notices the patient’s heart rate is 130
bpm and the end-tidal CO2 is rising rapidly. Which medication should be readily available?
A. Epinephrine
,B. Naloxone
C. Atropine sulfate
D. Dantrolene sodium
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Tachycardia and increased end-tidal CO2 are early signs of
Malignant Hyperthermia, a life-threatening complication of general anesthesia. Dantrolene
is the specific skeletal muscle relaxant used to treat it.
3. A patient’s ABG results are: pH 7.31, PaCO2 50 mmHg, and HCO3 24 mEq/L. How should
the nurse interpret these results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis, Uncompensated
D. Metabolic Alkalosis, Partially Compensated
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is low (<7.35), indicating acidosis. The PaCO2 is high
(>45), indicating a respiratory cause. The HCO3 is normal, meaning no compensation has
occurred yet.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause a positive Chvostek’s sign?
A. Hypernatremia
, B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypophosphatemia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability. Chvostek’s
sign (facial twitching when the facial nerve is tapped) and Trousseau’s sign (carpal spasm
with BP cuff inflation) are classic indicators.
5. A nurse is teaching a patient about the Somogyi effect. Which statement by the patient
indicates understanding?
A. I should increase my insulin dose before bed.
B. I should skip dinner to keep my morning sugar low.
C. My blood sugar is high in the morning because I don’t have enough insulin.
D. I need to eat a bedtime snack to prevent a drop in blood sugar overnight.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The Somogyi effect is rebound hyperglycemia in the morning
following hypoglycemia during the night. Treatment includes a bedtime snack or reducing
the evening insulin dose.
EXAM PREP (GALEN COLLEGE)
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 100%
GUARANTEE PASS | GALEN COLLEGE
OF NURSING
1. A patient with a serum potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L is being monitored. Which ECG change
should the nurse expect to see?
A. Tall, peaked T waves
B. Widened QRS complex
C. Presence of U waves
D. Shortened PR interval
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia (potassium < 3.5 mEq/L) is characterized by the
presence of U waves, ST-segment depression, and flattened T waves. Tall peaked T waves
and widened QRS complexes are signs of hyperkalemia.
2. During a surgical procedure, the anesthesiologist notices the patient’s heart rate is 130
bpm and the end-tidal CO2 is rising rapidly. Which medication should be readily available?
A. Epinephrine
,B. Naloxone
C. Atropine sulfate
D. Dantrolene sodium
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Tachycardia and increased end-tidal CO2 are early signs of
Malignant Hyperthermia, a life-threatening complication of general anesthesia. Dantrolene
is the specific skeletal muscle relaxant used to treat it.
3. A patient’s ABG results are: pH 7.31, PaCO2 50 mmHg, and HCO3 24 mEq/L. How should
the nurse interpret these results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis, Uncompensated
D. Metabolic Alkalosis, Partially Compensated
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is low (<7.35), indicating acidosis. The PaCO2 is high
(>45), indicating a respiratory cause. The HCO3 is normal, meaning no compensation has
occurred yet.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause a positive Chvostek’s sign?
A. Hypernatremia
, B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypophosphatemia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability. Chvostek’s
sign (facial twitching when the facial nerve is tapped) and Trousseau’s sign (carpal spasm
with BP cuff inflation) are classic indicators.
5. A nurse is teaching a patient about the Somogyi effect. Which statement by the patient
indicates understanding?
A. I should increase my insulin dose before bed.
B. I should skip dinner to keep my morning sugar low.
C. My blood sugar is high in the morning because I don’t have enough insulin.
D. I need to eat a bedtime snack to prevent a drop in blood sugar overnight.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The Somogyi effect is rebound hyperglycemia in the morning
following hypoglycemia during the night. Treatment includes a bedtime snack or reducing
the evening insulin dose.
