NUR 265
Exam 1 Medical-Surgical Nursing Comprehensive
Review
Exam Review • High-Yield Practice
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: Medical-Surgical Nursing Comprehensive Review 2026/2027 UPDATE –
Galen College
1. A patient is admitted with a serum potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which EKG change should
the nurse monitor for most closely?
A. Peaked T waves
B. Presence of U waves
C. Widened QRS complex
D. Shortened QT interval
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypokalemia (K+ < 3.5) typically causes the appearance of U waves, ST-
segment depression, and flat or inverted T waves. Peaked T waves are associated with
hyperkalemia.
2. When interpreting an arterial blood gas (ABG) for a patient with COPD, the nurse notes: pH
7.32, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 28 mEq/L. How should this be classified?
A. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
B. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
C. Fully compensated metabolic alkalosis
D. Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
, Answer: D
Rationale: The pH is acidic (<7.35), the PaCO2 is high (respiratory cause), and the HCO3 is
elevated (compensatory mechanism), but the pH is not yet back in the normal range,
indicating partial compensation.
3. A postoperative patient develops tachycardia, tachypnea, and a rapidly rising temperature
of 104°F (40°C). Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering immediately?
A. Naloxone
B. Atropine sulfate
C. Dantrolene sodium
D. Pancuronium
Answer: C
Rationale: The symptoms describe Malignant Hyperthermia, a life-threatening
complication of general anesthesia. Dantrolene is the specific skeletal muscle relaxant used
to treat this condition.
4. Which assessment finding is a hallmark sign of hypocalcemia in a patient following a
thyroidectomy?
A. Positive Chvostek’s sign
B. Negative Trousseau’s sign
C. Hyporeflexia
Exam 1 Medical-Surgical Nursing Comprehensive
Review
Exam Review • High-Yield Practice
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: Medical-Surgical Nursing Comprehensive Review 2026/2027 UPDATE –
Galen College
1. A patient is admitted with a serum potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which EKG change should
the nurse monitor for most closely?
A. Peaked T waves
B. Presence of U waves
C. Widened QRS complex
D. Shortened QT interval
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypokalemia (K+ < 3.5) typically causes the appearance of U waves, ST-
segment depression, and flat or inverted T waves. Peaked T waves are associated with
hyperkalemia.
2. When interpreting an arterial blood gas (ABG) for a patient with COPD, the nurse notes: pH
7.32, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and HCO3 28 mEq/L. How should this be classified?
A. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
B. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
C. Fully compensated metabolic alkalosis
D. Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
, Answer: D
Rationale: The pH is acidic (<7.35), the PaCO2 is high (respiratory cause), and the HCO3 is
elevated (compensatory mechanism), but the pH is not yet back in the normal range,
indicating partial compensation.
3. A postoperative patient develops tachycardia, tachypnea, and a rapidly rising temperature
of 104°F (40°C). Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering immediately?
A. Naloxone
B. Atropine sulfate
C. Dantrolene sodium
D. Pancuronium
Answer: C
Rationale: The symptoms describe Malignant Hyperthermia, a life-threatening
complication of general anesthesia. Dantrolene is the specific skeletal muscle relaxant used
to treat this condition.
4. Which assessment finding is a hallmark sign of hypocalcemia in a patient following a
thyroidectomy?
A. Positive Chvostek’s sign
B. Negative Trousseau’s sign
C. Hyporeflexia
