NUR 265
EXAM 1
Medical-Surgical Nursing
Galen College of Nursing
Tested Qs & Verified Answers with Rationales
This Exam Features:
NUR 265 Exam 1 Medical-Surgical Nursing (Galen
College) including 50 Tested questions written
to mirror actual course exams. Covers core Med-
Surg concepts with clear, accurate, and student-
friendly explanations. Perfect for mastering high-priority topics
and boosting exam confidence.
,### 1. The nurse is caring for a client with AIDS who has just been
diagnosed with cryptococcal meningitis. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
a. Perform passive range-of-motion exercises every shift
b. Initiate seizure precautions with padded siderails
c. Encourage increased fluid intake to reduce intracranial pressure
d. Restrict visitors to prevent infection exposure
Correct Answer: b. Initiate seizure precautions with padded siderails
Expert Rationale:
Cryptococcal meningitis can lead to increased intracranial pressure and
neurological complications including seizures. Seizure precautions are
essential to prevent injury. Fluid management must be cautious due to risk
of cerebral edema. Infection risk reduction is important but seizure
prevention is priority.
---
### 2. The nurse has provided medication instruction to a client who
has HIV and has been prescribed combination antiretroviral therapy
(cART). Which of the following client statements indicates a correct
understanding of the teaching?
a. "I can avoid developing drug resistance if I take 90% of my drugs on
time."
b. "I will stop taking my meds once I feel better."
c. "Missing doses occasionally will not affect my treatment."
d. "It is important to take all my medications exactly as prescribed every
day."
Correct Answer: d. "It is important to take all my medications exactly as
prescribed every day."
Expert Rationale:
,Strict adherence to cART regimen is critical to suppress viral replication
and prevent resistance. Even small deviations can lead to resistance and
treatment failure. Partial adherence like 90% is insufficient. Patient
education must emphasize full compliance.
### 3. A nurse working in the emergency department is triaging a
client who has presented with chest pain, shortness of breath, a
productive cough, and reports night sweats. The client's health
history includes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and
recent laboratory results reveal a low CD4+ count. Airborne
precautions have been initiated. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take next?
a. Start oxygen therapy immediately
b. Obtain a sputum sample for acid-fast bacillus testing
c. Place the client in a negative pressure room
d. Check the client’s temperature
Correct Answer: d. Check the client’s temperature
Expert Rationale:
Although airborne precautions are appropriately initiated due to risk of
tuberculosis in an immunocompromised client, the next nursing action
should be to complete a full symptom assessment, including checking the
temperature to identify a fever which confirms active infection. This vital
sign guides priority interventions. Other actions such as sputum collection
and oxygen therapy are important but secondary to thorough assessment.
---
### 4. The newly hired nurse is developing a plan of care for a client
who has AIDS and was just diagnosed with Pneumocystis jiroveci
pneumonia (PJP) and pain. Which of the following interventions
should the nurse preceptor question?
, a. Telling the client to keep the door to the room closed at all times
b. Administering prescribed high-dose corticosteroids
c. Using a high-flow nasal cannula to improve oxygenation
d. Encouraging frequent repositioning and deep breathing exercises
Correct Answer: a. Telling the client to keep the door to the room closed at
all times
Expert Rationale:
PJP is an opportunistic infection transmitted through airborne droplets and
standard precautions, including air filtration, are important. However, strict
isolation with the door closed at all times is not standard unless the client is
suspected to have tuberculosis. It may increase client anxiety and isolation
unnecessarily. The other interventions reflect standard PJP management.
### 5. The nurse is working in a community health center and has
instructed a group of clients who have AIDS about ways to prevent
infection. Which of the following statements by a client would indicate
the need for additional teaching?
a. "I will wash my hands before eating."
b. "I will avoid crowded places during flu season."
c. "I will wear a surgical mask when I change my cat's litter box."
d. "I will make sure all my vaccinations are up to date."
Correct Answer: c. "I will wear a surgical mask when I change my cat's
litter box."
Expert Rationale:
Toxoplasmosis is a concern for immunocompromised clients and cat litter
boxes can harbor Toxoplasma gondii. However, wearing a surgical mask is
not sufficient protection; gloves and hand hygiene are more appropriate.
Surgical masks do not protect against dust/particles that carry protozoa
from cat litter. This statement indicates misunderstanding.
EXAM 1
Medical-Surgical Nursing
Galen College of Nursing
Tested Qs & Verified Answers with Rationales
This Exam Features:
NUR 265 Exam 1 Medical-Surgical Nursing (Galen
College) including 50 Tested questions written
to mirror actual course exams. Covers core Med-
Surg concepts with clear, accurate, and student-
friendly explanations. Perfect for mastering high-priority topics
and boosting exam confidence.
,### 1. The nurse is caring for a client with AIDS who has just been
diagnosed with cryptococcal meningitis. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
a. Perform passive range-of-motion exercises every shift
b. Initiate seizure precautions with padded siderails
c. Encourage increased fluid intake to reduce intracranial pressure
d. Restrict visitors to prevent infection exposure
Correct Answer: b. Initiate seizure precautions with padded siderails
Expert Rationale:
Cryptococcal meningitis can lead to increased intracranial pressure and
neurological complications including seizures. Seizure precautions are
essential to prevent injury. Fluid management must be cautious due to risk
of cerebral edema. Infection risk reduction is important but seizure
prevention is priority.
---
### 2. The nurse has provided medication instruction to a client who
has HIV and has been prescribed combination antiretroviral therapy
(cART). Which of the following client statements indicates a correct
understanding of the teaching?
a. "I can avoid developing drug resistance if I take 90% of my drugs on
time."
b. "I will stop taking my meds once I feel better."
c. "Missing doses occasionally will not affect my treatment."
d. "It is important to take all my medications exactly as prescribed every
day."
Correct Answer: d. "It is important to take all my medications exactly as
prescribed every day."
Expert Rationale:
,Strict adherence to cART regimen is critical to suppress viral replication
and prevent resistance. Even small deviations can lead to resistance and
treatment failure. Partial adherence like 90% is insufficient. Patient
education must emphasize full compliance.
### 3. A nurse working in the emergency department is triaging a
client who has presented with chest pain, shortness of breath, a
productive cough, and reports night sweats. The client's health
history includes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and
recent laboratory results reveal a low CD4+ count. Airborne
precautions have been initiated. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take next?
a. Start oxygen therapy immediately
b. Obtain a sputum sample for acid-fast bacillus testing
c. Place the client in a negative pressure room
d. Check the client’s temperature
Correct Answer: d. Check the client’s temperature
Expert Rationale:
Although airborne precautions are appropriately initiated due to risk of
tuberculosis in an immunocompromised client, the next nursing action
should be to complete a full symptom assessment, including checking the
temperature to identify a fever which confirms active infection. This vital
sign guides priority interventions. Other actions such as sputum collection
and oxygen therapy are important but secondary to thorough assessment.
---
### 4. The newly hired nurse is developing a plan of care for a client
who has AIDS and was just diagnosed with Pneumocystis jiroveci
pneumonia (PJP) and pain. Which of the following interventions
should the nurse preceptor question?
, a. Telling the client to keep the door to the room closed at all times
b. Administering prescribed high-dose corticosteroids
c. Using a high-flow nasal cannula to improve oxygenation
d. Encouraging frequent repositioning and deep breathing exercises
Correct Answer: a. Telling the client to keep the door to the room closed at
all times
Expert Rationale:
PJP is an opportunistic infection transmitted through airborne droplets and
standard precautions, including air filtration, are important. However, strict
isolation with the door closed at all times is not standard unless the client is
suspected to have tuberculosis. It may increase client anxiety and isolation
unnecessarily. The other interventions reflect standard PJP management.
### 5. The nurse is working in a community health center and has
instructed a group of clients who have AIDS about ways to prevent
infection. Which of the following statements by a client would indicate
the need for additional teaching?
a. "I will wash my hands before eating."
b. "I will avoid crowded places during flu season."
c. "I will wear a surgical mask when I change my cat's litter box."
d. "I will make sure all my vaccinations are up to date."
Correct Answer: c. "I will wear a surgical mask when I change my cat's
litter box."
Expert Rationale:
Toxoplasmosis is a concern for immunocompromised clients and cat litter
boxes can harbor Toxoplasma gondii. However, wearing a surgical mask is
not sufficient protection; gloves and hand hygiene are more appropriate.
Surgical masks do not protect against dust/particles that carry protozoa
from cat litter. This statement indicates misunderstanding.
