NUR 265
Exam 1 Advanced
Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice
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 Practice 2026 UPDATE – Galen
1. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.26, PaCO2 54 mmHg, and HCO3 24
mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance does this represent?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg with a normal
HCO3 confirms the cause is respiratory, indicating respiratory acidosis.
2. A patient is suspected of having a Pulmonary Embolism (PE). Which diagnostic test is
considered the ‘gold standard’ for confirming this diagnosis?
A. Chest X-ray
B. Pulmonary Angiography
C. D-dimer assay
D. Ventilation-Perfusion (V/Q) scan
Answer: B
, Rationale: While CT pulmonary angiography is common, traditional pulmonary
angiography is the most definitive diagnostic tool, though invasive.
3. During the immediate postoperative period after a thoracentesis, which assessment
finding requires urgent notification of the healthcare provider?
A. Pulse oximetry reading of 94% on room air
B. Diminished breath sounds on the affected side
C. Small amount of serosanguinous drainage on the dressing
D. Heart rate of 95 beats per minute
Answer: B
Rationale: Diminished breath sounds on the affected side after a thoracentesis may
indicate a pneumothorax, a serious complication of the procedure.
4. A patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is receiving oxygen via nasal
cannula at 2L/min. Which physiological drive triggers their breathing?
A. Hypoxic Drive (Low Oxygen levels)
B. Low Serum pH
C. High Carbon Dioxide levels
D. High Serum Bicarbonate
Answer: A
Exam 1 Advanced
Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice
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 Practice 2026 UPDATE – Galen
1. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.26, PaCO2 54 mmHg, and HCO3 24
mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance does this represent?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg with a normal
HCO3 confirms the cause is respiratory, indicating respiratory acidosis.
2. A patient is suspected of having a Pulmonary Embolism (PE). Which diagnostic test is
considered the ‘gold standard’ for confirming this diagnosis?
A. Chest X-ray
B. Pulmonary Angiography
C. D-dimer assay
D. Ventilation-Perfusion (V/Q) scan
Answer: B
, Rationale: While CT pulmonary angiography is common, traditional pulmonary
angiography is the most definitive diagnostic tool, though invasive.
3. During the immediate postoperative period after a thoracentesis, which assessment
finding requires urgent notification of the healthcare provider?
A. Pulse oximetry reading of 94% on room air
B. Diminished breath sounds on the affected side
C. Small amount of serosanguinous drainage on the dressing
D. Heart rate of 95 beats per minute
Answer: B
Rationale: Diminished breath sounds on the affected side after a thoracentesis may
indicate a pneumothorax, a serious complication of the procedure.
4. A patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is receiving oxygen via nasal
cannula at 2L/min. Which physiological drive triggers their breathing?
A. Hypoxic Drive (Low Oxygen levels)
B. Low Serum pH
C. High Carbon Dioxide levels
D. High Serum Bicarbonate
Answer: A
