NU 155 FINAL EXAM: ADVANCED
MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 100%
GUARANTEE PASS | GALEN COLLEGE
OF NURSING
1. A patient is admitted with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which ECG change should
the nurse prioritize for immediate intervention?
A. Prominent U waves
B. Prolonged QT interval
C. Tall, peaked T waves
D. ST-segment depression
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0) causes tall, peaked T waves. If
untreated, it can lead to ventricular fibrillation or cardiac arrest. U waves are associated
with hypokalemia.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient with a pH of 7.31, PaCO2 of 52 mmHg, and HCO3 of 24
mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these arterial blood gas (ABG) results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
,B. Metabolic Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg
indicates a respiratory cause. Since the HCO3 is normal, this is uncompensated respiratory
acidosis.
3. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark sign of a patient experiencing Autonomic
Dysreflexia?
A. Tachycardia and hypotension
B. Extreme thirst and polyuria
C. Flaccid paralysis below the level of injury
D. Sudden significant hypertension and bradycardia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Autonomic dysreflexia occurs in patients with spinal cord
injuries at T6 or above, characterized by severe hypertension, bradycardia, and pounding
headache.
, 4. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes is found unconscious with a blood glucose of 42 mg/dL.
What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer 50% Dextrose (D50) IV push
B. Administer 15g of simple carbohydrates orally
C. Check the patient’s A1C level
D. Wait 15 minutes and re-check the blood glucose
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: For an unconscious patient with severe hypoglycemia, IV
Dextrose 50% is the fastest way to increase blood glucose. Oral intake is contraindicated
due to aspiration risk.
5. When assessing a patient with left-sided heart failure, which finding should the nurse
expect?
A. Jugular venous distention (JVD)
B. Crackles in the lungs
C. Peripheral edema
D. Hepatomegaly
Answer: B
MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 100%
GUARANTEE PASS | GALEN COLLEGE
OF NURSING
1. A patient is admitted with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which ECG change should
the nurse prioritize for immediate intervention?
A. Prominent U waves
B. Prolonged QT interval
C. Tall, peaked T waves
D. ST-segment depression
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0) causes tall, peaked T waves. If
untreated, it can lead to ventricular fibrillation or cardiac arrest. U waves are associated
with hypokalemia.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient with a pH of 7.31, PaCO2 of 52 mmHg, and HCO3 of 24
mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these arterial blood gas (ABG) results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
,B. Metabolic Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg
indicates a respiratory cause. Since the HCO3 is normal, this is uncompensated respiratory
acidosis.
3. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark sign of a patient experiencing Autonomic
Dysreflexia?
A. Tachycardia and hypotension
B. Extreme thirst and polyuria
C. Flaccid paralysis below the level of injury
D. Sudden significant hypertension and bradycardia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Autonomic dysreflexia occurs in patients with spinal cord
injuries at T6 or above, characterized by severe hypertension, bradycardia, and pounding
headache.
, 4. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes is found unconscious with a blood glucose of 42 mg/dL.
What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer 50% Dextrose (D50) IV push
B. Administer 15g of simple carbohydrates orally
C. Check the patient’s A1C level
D. Wait 15 minutes and re-check the blood glucose
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: For an unconscious patient with severe hypoglycemia, IV
Dextrose 50% is the fastest way to increase blood glucose. Oral intake is contraindicated
due to aspiration risk.
5. When assessing a patient with left-sided heart failure, which finding should the nurse
expect?
A. Jugular venous distention (JVD)
B. Crackles in the lungs
C. Peripheral edema
D. Hepatomegaly
Answer: B
