NUR 265
Exam 1 Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing (2026)
Exam 1 • Practice Questions & Rationales
UPDATE
Actual Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Clinical Rationales
Practice Questions with Rationales
Galen College of Nursing
NUR 265
✓ 100% Verified Answers
✓ Complete Rationales Included
Exam (elaborations)
Instant PDF Download • Ready for Study
,NUR 265 Exam 1: Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing (2026) UPDATE – Galen
1. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.31, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 26
mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance is the patient experiencing?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Metabolic Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Acidosis
Answer: D
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. The elevated PaCO2 (>45) indicates a
respiratory cause, while the normal HCO3 suggests no compensation yet.
2. Using the Rule of Nines, calculate the total body surface area (TBSA) burned for an adult
with burns to the entire right arm and the entire anterior trunk.
A. 18%
B. 27%
C. 36%
D. 45%
Answer: B
, Rationale: The entire right arm is 9% and the anterior trunk is 18%. 9 + 18 = 27%.
3. A patient in the compensatory stage of hypovolemic shock would most likely exhibit which
clinical manifestation?
A. Bradycardia and hypertension
B. Anuria and metabolic alkalosis
C. Lethargy and cold, clammy skin
D. Tachycardia and narrow pulse pressure
Answer: D
Rationale: In the compensatory stage, the SNS triggers tachycardia and vasoconstriction
(narrowing pulse pressure) to maintain cardiac output and BP.
4. Which EKG change is most characteristic of a patient with a serum potassium level of 6.8
mEq/L?
A. Prominent U waves
B. Tall, peaked T waves
C. ST-segment depression
D. Prolonged QT interval
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia typically causes tall, peaked T waves initially, followed by QRS
widening and loss of P waves as levels rise.
Exam 1 Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing (2026)
Exam 1 • Practice Questions & Rationales
UPDATE
Actual Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Clinical Rationales
Practice Questions with Rationales
Galen College of Nursing
NUR 265
✓ 100% Verified Answers
✓ Complete Rationales Included
Exam (elaborations)
Instant PDF Download • Ready for Study
,NUR 265 Exam 1: Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing (2026) UPDATE – Galen
1. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.31, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 26
mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance is the patient experiencing?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Metabolic Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Acidosis
Answer: D
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. The elevated PaCO2 (>45) indicates a
respiratory cause, while the normal HCO3 suggests no compensation yet.
2. Using the Rule of Nines, calculate the total body surface area (TBSA) burned for an adult
with burns to the entire right arm and the entire anterior trunk.
A. 18%
B. 27%
C. 36%
D. 45%
Answer: B
, Rationale: The entire right arm is 9% and the anterior trunk is 18%. 9 + 18 = 27%.
3. A patient in the compensatory stage of hypovolemic shock would most likely exhibit which
clinical manifestation?
A. Bradycardia and hypertension
B. Anuria and metabolic alkalosis
C. Lethargy and cold, clammy skin
D. Tachycardia and narrow pulse pressure
Answer: D
Rationale: In the compensatory stage, the SNS triggers tachycardia and vasoconstriction
(narrowing pulse pressure) to maintain cardiac output and BP.
4. Which EKG change is most characteristic of a patient with a serum potassium level of 6.8
mEq/L?
A. Prominent U waves
B. Tall, peaked T waves
C. ST-segment depression
D. Prolonged QT interval
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia typically causes tall, peaked T waves initially, followed by QRS
widening and loss of P waves as levels rise.
