NU 155 \ NU155 EXAM 1 | MEDICAL-
SURGICAL NURSING EXAM | QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS | RATED A+ |
GALEN | 2026\2027 GUIDE
The nurse is caring for a 50-year-old female who presented to the
emergency department after being involved in a motor vehicle collision.
The patient displays marked tenderness and spasm in the suprapubic area
and a nonpulsating mass. The nurse anticipates that this patient will
undergo additional workup for which complication?
Bladder trauma
A damaged kidney
A urethral tear
Ruptured spleen
-Correct Answer-Bladder trauma
-Rationale- Bladder traumas signal themselves with pain, spasm, and a
mass in the suprapubic area. These findings are not consistent with a
damaged kidney, urethral tear, or splenic rupture.
A nurse assesses clients on the medical-surgical unit. Which client is
at greatest risk for the development of bacterial cystitis?
1. A 36-year-old female who has never been pregnant
2. A 42-year-old male who is prescribed cyclophosphamide
3. A 58-year-old female who is not taking estrogen replacement
,4. A 77-year-old male with mild congestive heart failure
-Correct Answer-A 58-year-old female who is not taking estrogen
replacement
The nurse is caring for a patient with a potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L. The
nurse should carefully monitor the patient for which potential problem?
1. Excessive urinary output
2. Increased reflexes
3. Hyperactive bowel sounds
4. Abdominal distention
-Correct Answer-Abdominal distention
-Rationale- A potassium level lower than 3.5 mEq/L results in reduced urine
output, cardiac dysrhythmia, muscle weakness, abdominal pain and
distention, paralytic ileus, lethargy, and confusion.
The nurse is caring for an 80-year-old patient. Which finding is the best
early indicator of dehydration in this patient?
1. Reduced skin turgor
2. Increased temperature
3. Constipation
4. Thirst
-Correct Answer-Constipation
-Rationale- The nurse understands that this patient's age places him at
greater risk for dehydration.Constipation is the best early indicator of
dehydration in the older adult. Older adults have age-related poor skin
turgor. Increased temperature and thirst are later signs of dehydration.
, The nurse uses a diagram to demonstrate how in dehydration the water is
drawn into the plasma from the cells by which process?
1. Filtration
2. Osmosis
3. Distillation
4. Diffusion
-Correct Answer-Osmosis
-Rationale- The process of osmosis accomplishes the movement of water
from the cells into the plasma, causing dehydration.
While the nurse is washing the face of a patient in renal failure, the patient
demonstrates a spasm of the lips and face. Which laboratory value
corresponds with the nurse's assessment findings?
1. Sodium of 140 mEq/L
2. Phosphorus of 2.8 mg/dL
3. Calcium of 7.9 mg/dL
4. Potassium of 3.4 mEq/L
-Correct Answer-Calcium of 7.9 mg/dL
-Rationale- Chvostek sign is a signal of hypocalcemia. It occurs when the
facial nerve is tapped or stroked about an inch in front of the earlobe and
results in unilateral twitching of the face. Hypocalcemia occurs when the
calcium level drops below 8.4. A potassium level of 3.4 mEq/L and a
sodium level of 140 mEq/L are findings within normal limits. A patient in
renal failure is most likely to have a high phosphorus level rather than a low
phosphorus level, and 2.8 mg/dL is within the range consistent with
hypophosphatemia.
SURGICAL NURSING EXAM | QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS | RATED A+ |
GALEN | 2026\2027 GUIDE
The nurse is caring for a 50-year-old female who presented to the
emergency department after being involved in a motor vehicle collision.
The patient displays marked tenderness and spasm in the suprapubic area
and a nonpulsating mass. The nurse anticipates that this patient will
undergo additional workup for which complication?
Bladder trauma
A damaged kidney
A urethral tear
Ruptured spleen
-Correct Answer-Bladder trauma
-Rationale- Bladder traumas signal themselves with pain, spasm, and a
mass in the suprapubic area. These findings are not consistent with a
damaged kidney, urethral tear, or splenic rupture.
A nurse assesses clients on the medical-surgical unit. Which client is
at greatest risk for the development of bacterial cystitis?
1. A 36-year-old female who has never been pregnant
2. A 42-year-old male who is prescribed cyclophosphamide
3. A 58-year-old female who is not taking estrogen replacement
,4. A 77-year-old male with mild congestive heart failure
-Correct Answer-A 58-year-old female who is not taking estrogen
replacement
The nurse is caring for a patient with a potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L. The
nurse should carefully monitor the patient for which potential problem?
1. Excessive urinary output
2. Increased reflexes
3. Hyperactive bowel sounds
4. Abdominal distention
-Correct Answer-Abdominal distention
-Rationale- A potassium level lower than 3.5 mEq/L results in reduced urine
output, cardiac dysrhythmia, muscle weakness, abdominal pain and
distention, paralytic ileus, lethargy, and confusion.
The nurse is caring for an 80-year-old patient. Which finding is the best
early indicator of dehydration in this patient?
1. Reduced skin turgor
2. Increased temperature
3. Constipation
4. Thirst
-Correct Answer-Constipation
-Rationale- The nurse understands that this patient's age places him at
greater risk for dehydration.Constipation is the best early indicator of
dehydration in the older adult. Older adults have age-related poor skin
turgor. Increased temperature and thirst are later signs of dehydration.
, The nurse uses a diagram to demonstrate how in dehydration the water is
drawn into the plasma from the cells by which process?
1. Filtration
2. Osmosis
3. Distillation
4. Diffusion
-Correct Answer-Osmosis
-Rationale- The process of osmosis accomplishes the movement of water
from the cells into the plasma, causing dehydration.
While the nurse is washing the face of a patient in renal failure, the patient
demonstrates a spasm of the lips and face. Which laboratory value
corresponds with the nurse's assessment findings?
1. Sodium of 140 mEq/L
2. Phosphorus of 2.8 mg/dL
3. Calcium of 7.9 mg/dL
4. Potassium of 3.4 mEq/L
-Correct Answer-Calcium of 7.9 mg/dL
-Rationale- Chvostek sign is a signal of hypocalcemia. It occurs when the
facial nerve is tapped or stroked about an inch in front of the earlobe and
results in unilateral twitching of the face. Hypocalcemia occurs when the
calcium level drops below 8.4. A potassium level of 3.4 mEq/L and a
sodium level of 140 mEq/L are findings within normal limits. A patient in
renal failure is most likely to have a high phosphorus level rather than a low
phosphorus level, and 2.8 mg/dL is within the range consistent with
hypophosphatemia.
