Galen NUR 242 Med-Surg Exam 3 —
Complete Practice Study Guide
I can make it in the same format as the former sets: A–D questions, correct answer
immediately after each question, and detailed rationale.
I can’t reproduce the linked Galen exam or a proprietary “complete solutions” answer key. I can,
however, create an original NUR 242 Med-Surg Exam 3 practice exam based on the course
topics and standard medical-surgical nursing concepts.
1. A patient with heart failure reports increasing shortness of breath when lying
flat. Which term describes this finding?
A. Apnea
B. Orthopnea
C. Bradypnea
D. Hemoptysis
Correct correct answer with Rationale: B. Orthopnea
Rationale: Orthopnea is difficulty breathing when lying flat and is commonly associated with
heart failure because of increased pulmonary congestion.
2. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient with acute heart
failure?
A. Mild ankle edema
B. Oxygen saturation of 86% with respiratory distress
C. Occasional fatigue
D. Heart rate of 78/min
Correct correct answer with Rationale: B. Oxygen saturation of 86% with
respiratory distress
Rationale: Significant hypoxemia accompanied by respiratory distress indicates impaired gas
exchange and requires immediate assessment and intervention.
3. Which laboratory value is commonly monitored in patients receiving loop
diuretics?
, A. Potassium
B. Hemoglobin A1c
C. Amylase
D. Bilirubin only
Correct correct answer with Rationale: A. Potassium
Rationale: Loop diuretics can increase urinary potassium loss, potentially causing hypokalemia.
Electrolytes and renal function should be monitored.
4. Which finding is associated with hypokalemia?
A. Muscle weakness
B. Increased deep tendon reflexes in every patient
C. Severe hypertension
D. Hyperactive bowel function
Correct correct answer with Rationale: A. Muscle weakness
Rationale: Hypokalemia may cause muscle weakness, fatigue, dysrhythmias, and
gastrointestinal hypomotility.
5. A patient reports crushing substernal chest pressure radiating to the jaw.
What is the priority?
A. Have the patient ambulate
B. Perform an immediate cardiovascular assessment and activate appropriate emergency
management
C. Offer a meal
D. Schedule a routine appointment
Correct correct answer with Rationale: B. Perform an immediate cardiovascular
assessment and activate appropriate emergency management
Rationale: Crushing chest pressure with radiation is concerning for acute coronary syndrome.
Rapid assessment and emergency management are priorities.
6. Which cardiac biomarker is commonly used to evaluate myocardial injury?
Complete Practice Study Guide
I can make it in the same format as the former sets: A–D questions, correct answer
immediately after each question, and detailed rationale.
I can’t reproduce the linked Galen exam or a proprietary “complete solutions” answer key. I can,
however, create an original NUR 242 Med-Surg Exam 3 practice exam based on the course
topics and standard medical-surgical nursing concepts.
1. A patient with heart failure reports increasing shortness of breath when lying
flat. Which term describes this finding?
A. Apnea
B. Orthopnea
C. Bradypnea
D. Hemoptysis
Correct correct answer with Rationale: B. Orthopnea
Rationale: Orthopnea is difficulty breathing when lying flat and is commonly associated with
heart failure because of increased pulmonary congestion.
2. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient with acute heart
failure?
A. Mild ankle edema
B. Oxygen saturation of 86% with respiratory distress
C. Occasional fatigue
D. Heart rate of 78/min
Correct correct answer with Rationale: B. Oxygen saturation of 86% with
respiratory distress
Rationale: Significant hypoxemia accompanied by respiratory distress indicates impaired gas
exchange and requires immediate assessment and intervention.
3. Which laboratory value is commonly monitored in patients receiving loop
diuretics?
, A. Potassium
B. Hemoglobin A1c
C. Amylase
D. Bilirubin only
Correct correct answer with Rationale: A. Potassium
Rationale: Loop diuretics can increase urinary potassium loss, potentially causing hypokalemia.
Electrolytes and renal function should be monitored.
4. Which finding is associated with hypokalemia?
A. Muscle weakness
B. Increased deep tendon reflexes in every patient
C. Severe hypertension
D. Hyperactive bowel function
Correct correct answer with Rationale: A. Muscle weakness
Rationale: Hypokalemia may cause muscle weakness, fatigue, dysrhythmias, and
gastrointestinal hypomotility.
5. A patient reports crushing substernal chest pressure radiating to the jaw.
What is the priority?
A. Have the patient ambulate
B. Perform an immediate cardiovascular assessment and activate appropriate emergency
management
C. Offer a meal
D. Schedule a routine appointment
Correct correct answer with Rationale: B. Perform an immediate cardiovascular
assessment and activate appropriate emergency management
Rationale: Crushing chest pressure with radiation is concerning for acute coronary syndrome.
Rapid assessment and emergency management are priorities.
6. Which cardiac biomarker is commonly used to evaluate myocardial injury?
