NUR 170 Exam 1: Concepts of
Medical-Surgical Nursing (2026/27)
– Verified Questions, Answers &
Detailed Rationales - Galen
Ace your first major nursing exam with this comprehensive, high-yield study resource
specifically tailored for the Galen College of Nursing NUR 170 Exam 1 (2026/2027). This
document features actual exam-style practice questions, verified correct answers, and deep-
dive rationales to ensure you master clinical judgment and pass with an A+!
What is Included:
• Perioperative Nursing Care: Core concepts covering preoperative safety, signed
consents, NPO guidelines, intraoperative phases, and priority postoperative
respiratory assessments.
• Pain Management & Comfort: Detailed breakdown of acute vs. chronic pain,
somatic vs. visceral pain, populations at risk for undertreated pain, and the utilization
of the PQRST assessment tool.
• Fluid, Electrolytes & Acid-Base Imbalances: Mastery of normal ABG values,
respiratory acidosis calculations, and specific nursing interventions for
hypermagnesemia and hypercalcemia.
• Hematologic Systems: Critical review of folic acid deficiency and sickle cell anemia
treatment, including prevention and management of a sickle cell crisis.
• IV Therapy Complications: Key signs, symptoms, and immediate interventions for
phlebitis, infiltration, and extravasation.
Why Choose This Document?
• 100% Verified Answers & Rationales: Every question is paired with a clear, step-
by-step rationalization to build your critical thinking and test-taking strategies.
• Up-to-Date for 2026: Fully aligned with the latest Galen NUR 170 curriculum and
exam formatting.
• Perfect for Last-Minute Review: Highlights key priority nursing actions and "most
immediate intervention" questions commonly tested on the exam.
1. The nurse is caring for a client with several broken ribs. The client is most likely to
experience what type of acid-base imbalance?
Answer: Respiratory acidosis due to inadequate ventilation
1
, Rationale: Broken ribs cause severe pain upon inspiration, leading to splinting (shallow, guarded
breathing) and hypoventilation. This inadequate ventilation prevents the lungs from effectively
exhaling carbon dioxide (CO2). As CO2 builds up in the blood, it combines with water to form
carbonic acid, thereby lowering the blood pH and causing respiratory acidosis.
2. What are the S/S of Phlebitis? and what would you do to treat it?
Answer: Red inflamed hard painful vein. To treat it, you would remove the IV, avoid
bending the arm, and use a warm compress.
Rationale: Phlebitis is the inflammation of the inner lining (tunica intima) of a vein, often caused
by mechanical irritation from the catheter or chemical irritation from medications. Signs and
symptoms (S/S) include erythema, warmth, pain, and a palpable cord-like vein. Management
requires immediate discontinuation of the IV to stop the irritation, and the application of a warm
compress to promote circulation and reduce local inflammation.
3. What are the S/S of infiltration? and what would you do to treat it?
Answer: This is where the IV fluid goes out the vein, the S/S will be edema, taut skin,
burning, cool to touch. To treat it, you would stop and remove IV, elevate arm and use
a hot or cold compress.
Rationale: Infiltration occurs when a non-vesicant IV fluid inadvertently leaks into the surrounding
subcutaneous tissue due to catheter displacement or vein rupture. Because the infusing fluid is
typically at room temperature or cooler than body temperature, the site becomes cool, pale, and
swollen (edema). Treatment involves stopping the infusion immediately to prevent further fluid
accumulation, elevating the extremity to promote fluid reabsorption via lymphatic drainage, and
applying a compress (warm or cold, depending on the specific fluid type) to ease discomfort.
4. What are the S/S of Extravasation? and what would you do to treat it?
Answer: Sloughing, blistering. To treat, stop the infusion, and disconnect, aspirate
drug.
Rationale: Extravasation is the accidental leakage of a vesicant solution or medication (such as
chemotherapy or vasopressors) into the surrounding tissue, causing severe local tissue damage.
Unlike standard infiltration, vesicants trigger blistering, severe pain, necrosis, and tissue
sloughing. Immediate action is required: stop the infusion instantly and do not remove the cannula
right away; instead, disconnect the tubing and aspirate any residual drug from the catheter to
minimize tissue exposure before removal and administration of specific antidotes if available.
5. What maneuver should be used when removing a PICC line?
Answer: Valsalva
2
Medical-Surgical Nursing (2026/27)
– Verified Questions, Answers &
Detailed Rationales - Galen
Ace your first major nursing exam with this comprehensive, high-yield study resource
specifically tailored for the Galen College of Nursing NUR 170 Exam 1 (2026/2027). This
document features actual exam-style practice questions, verified correct answers, and deep-
dive rationales to ensure you master clinical judgment and pass with an A+!
What is Included:
• Perioperative Nursing Care: Core concepts covering preoperative safety, signed
consents, NPO guidelines, intraoperative phases, and priority postoperative
respiratory assessments.
• Pain Management & Comfort: Detailed breakdown of acute vs. chronic pain,
somatic vs. visceral pain, populations at risk for undertreated pain, and the utilization
of the PQRST assessment tool.
• Fluid, Electrolytes & Acid-Base Imbalances: Mastery of normal ABG values,
respiratory acidosis calculations, and specific nursing interventions for
hypermagnesemia and hypercalcemia.
• Hematologic Systems: Critical review of folic acid deficiency and sickle cell anemia
treatment, including prevention and management of a sickle cell crisis.
• IV Therapy Complications: Key signs, symptoms, and immediate interventions for
phlebitis, infiltration, and extravasation.
Why Choose This Document?
• 100% Verified Answers & Rationales: Every question is paired with a clear, step-
by-step rationalization to build your critical thinking and test-taking strategies.
• Up-to-Date for 2026: Fully aligned with the latest Galen NUR 170 curriculum and
exam formatting.
• Perfect for Last-Minute Review: Highlights key priority nursing actions and "most
immediate intervention" questions commonly tested on the exam.
1. The nurse is caring for a client with several broken ribs. The client is most likely to
experience what type of acid-base imbalance?
Answer: Respiratory acidosis due to inadequate ventilation
1
, Rationale: Broken ribs cause severe pain upon inspiration, leading to splinting (shallow, guarded
breathing) and hypoventilation. This inadequate ventilation prevents the lungs from effectively
exhaling carbon dioxide (CO2). As CO2 builds up in the blood, it combines with water to form
carbonic acid, thereby lowering the blood pH and causing respiratory acidosis.
2. What are the S/S of Phlebitis? and what would you do to treat it?
Answer: Red inflamed hard painful vein. To treat it, you would remove the IV, avoid
bending the arm, and use a warm compress.
Rationale: Phlebitis is the inflammation of the inner lining (tunica intima) of a vein, often caused
by mechanical irritation from the catheter or chemical irritation from medications. Signs and
symptoms (S/S) include erythema, warmth, pain, and a palpable cord-like vein. Management
requires immediate discontinuation of the IV to stop the irritation, and the application of a warm
compress to promote circulation and reduce local inflammation.
3. What are the S/S of infiltration? and what would you do to treat it?
Answer: This is where the IV fluid goes out the vein, the S/S will be edema, taut skin,
burning, cool to touch. To treat it, you would stop and remove IV, elevate arm and use
a hot or cold compress.
Rationale: Infiltration occurs when a non-vesicant IV fluid inadvertently leaks into the surrounding
subcutaneous tissue due to catheter displacement or vein rupture. Because the infusing fluid is
typically at room temperature or cooler than body temperature, the site becomes cool, pale, and
swollen (edema). Treatment involves stopping the infusion immediately to prevent further fluid
accumulation, elevating the extremity to promote fluid reabsorption via lymphatic drainage, and
applying a compress (warm or cold, depending on the specific fluid type) to ease discomfort.
4. What are the S/S of Extravasation? and what would you do to treat it?
Answer: Sloughing, blistering. To treat, stop the infusion, and disconnect, aspirate
drug.
Rationale: Extravasation is the accidental leakage of a vesicant solution or medication (such as
chemotherapy or vasopressors) into the surrounding tissue, causing severe local tissue damage.
Unlike standard infiltration, vesicants trigger blistering, severe pain, necrosis, and tissue
sloughing. Immediate action is required: stop the infusion instantly and do not remove the cannula
right away; instead, disconnect the tubing and aspirate any residual drug from the catheter to
minimize tissue exposure before removal and administration of specific antidotes if available.
5. What maneuver should be used when removing a PICC line?
Answer: Valsalva
2
