NU 185 Exam 1 | Medical-Surgical Nursing II | (2026) Study Guide PDF
| Galen College
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which
medication should the nurse anticipate administering to help lower the
potassium level immediately?
A. Furosemide
B. Spironolactone
C. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate)
D. Calcium gluconate
Answer: C
Rationale: Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate) is used to treat hyperkalemia by
exchanging sodium ions for potassium ions in the intestine.
2. A patient displays a positive Chvostek’s sign. Which electrolyte imbalance
does the nurse suspect?
A. Hypermagnesemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Chvostek’s sign (facial twitching when the facial nerve is tapped) is a classic
sign of hypocalcemia.
,3. An arterial blood gas (ABG) result shows pH 7.31, PaCO2 50 mmHg, and HCO3
24 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret this?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: A low pH (<7.35) combined with a high PaCO2 (>45) indicates respiratory
acidosis.
4. Which of the following is a primary cause of metabolic alkalosis?
A. Severe diarrhea
B. Prolonged vomiting or NG suctioning
C. Hyperventilation
D. Renal failure
Answer: B
Rationale: Loss of gastric acid through vomiting or suctioning leads to an excess of base,
causing metabolic alkalosis.
5. Who is responsible for obtaining the patient’s informed consent for a surgical
procedure?
A. The circulating nurse
B. The scrub technician
C. The surgeon
D. The nurse manager
Answer: C
Rationale: It is the surgeon’s legal responsibility to explain the procedure, risks, and
benefits to obtain informed consent.
, 6. A patient is scheduled for surgery and has a history of Malignant
Hyperthermia. Which medication must be available in the operating room?
A. Atropine
B. Dantrolene sodium
C. Epinephrine
D. Succinylcholine
Answer: B
Rationale: Dantrolene is the skeletal muscle relaxant used specifically to treat Malignant
Hyperthermia.
7. What is the first nursing action when a patient’s surgical wound eviscerates?
A. Push the organs back into the abdomen
B. Call the family to provide support
C. Cover the protruding organs with sterile gauze soaked in normal saline
D. Instruct the patient to cough and deep breathe
Answer: C
Rationale: Evisceration requires immediate covering with sterile, saline-soaked dressings
to keep organs moist while waiting for emergency surgery.
8. Using the Rule of Nines, calculate the percentage of burn for an adult with
burns on the entire left arm and the anterior trunk.
A. 18%
B. 27%
C. 36%
D. 45%
Answer: B
Rationale: Entire arm (9%) + Anterior trunk (18%) = 27%.
| Galen College
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which
medication should the nurse anticipate administering to help lower the
potassium level immediately?
A. Furosemide
B. Spironolactone
C. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate)
D. Calcium gluconate
Answer: C
Rationale: Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate) is used to treat hyperkalemia by
exchanging sodium ions for potassium ions in the intestine.
2. A patient displays a positive Chvostek’s sign. Which electrolyte imbalance
does the nurse suspect?
A. Hypermagnesemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Chvostek’s sign (facial twitching when the facial nerve is tapped) is a classic
sign of hypocalcemia.
,3. An arterial blood gas (ABG) result shows pH 7.31, PaCO2 50 mmHg, and HCO3
24 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret this?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: A low pH (<7.35) combined with a high PaCO2 (>45) indicates respiratory
acidosis.
4. Which of the following is a primary cause of metabolic alkalosis?
A. Severe diarrhea
B. Prolonged vomiting or NG suctioning
C. Hyperventilation
D. Renal failure
Answer: B
Rationale: Loss of gastric acid through vomiting or suctioning leads to an excess of base,
causing metabolic alkalosis.
5. Who is responsible for obtaining the patient’s informed consent for a surgical
procedure?
A. The circulating nurse
B. The scrub technician
C. The surgeon
D. The nurse manager
Answer: C
Rationale: It is the surgeon’s legal responsibility to explain the procedure, risks, and
benefits to obtain informed consent.
, 6. A patient is scheduled for surgery and has a history of Malignant
Hyperthermia. Which medication must be available in the operating room?
A. Atropine
B. Dantrolene sodium
C. Epinephrine
D. Succinylcholine
Answer: B
Rationale: Dantrolene is the skeletal muscle relaxant used specifically to treat Malignant
Hyperthermia.
7. What is the first nursing action when a patient’s surgical wound eviscerates?
A. Push the organs back into the abdomen
B. Call the family to provide support
C. Cover the protruding organs with sterile gauze soaked in normal saline
D. Instruct the patient to cough and deep breathe
Answer: C
Rationale: Evisceration requires immediate covering with sterile, saline-soaked dressings
to keep organs moist while waiting for emergency surgery.
8. Using the Rule of Nines, calculate the percentage of burn for an adult with
burns on the entire left arm and the anterior trunk.
A. 18%
B. 27%
C. 36%
D. 45%
Answer: B
Rationale: Entire arm (9%) + Anterior trunk (18%) = 27%.
