NU 185 Exam 2 Medical-Surgical Nursing II Practice Quiz 2026 Galen
College
1. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.31, PaCO2 50 mm Hg,
and HCO3 24 mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance does the nurse identify?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: C
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mm Hg indicates a
respiratory cause, while the normal HCO3 indicates no compensation yet.
2. Which clinical manifestation is most characteristic of right-sided heart failure?
A. Crackles in the lungs
B. Dyspnea on exertion
C. Pulmonary congestion
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: D
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure leads to systemic venous congestion, causing
peripheral edema, jugular venous distention, and hepatomegaly.
,3. A nurse is caring for a patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
(COPD). Which oxygen delivery setting is typically appropriate to prevent
respiratory depression?
A. 10-15 L/min via non-rebreather mask
B. Venturi mask at 50% FiO2
C. 6 L/min via simple face mask
D. 1-2 L/min via nasal cannula
Answer: D
Rationale: Patients with COPD may rely on a hypoxic drive to breathe. High concentrations
of oxygen can suppress this drive, so low-flow oxygen is preferred.
4. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus presents with a blood glucose of 50
mg/dL and is conscious. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer 1 mg of glucagon IM
B. Give 50 mL of Dextrose 50% IV push
C. Administer 15g of simple carbohydrates
D. Call the provider for a stat insulin order
Answer: C
Rationale: The 15-15 rule applies for conscious patients with hypoglycemia: give 15g of
carbs and recheck in 15 minutes.
5. What is the primary goal of treatment for a patient in the diuretic phase of
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)?
A. Monitoring for dehydration and electrolyte imbalances
B. Restricting fluid intake to 500 mL/day
C. Administering high doses of loop diuretics
D. Reducing potassium intake to 20 mEq/day
Answer: A
, Rationale: In the diuretic phase, the kidneys can produce urine but cannot concentrate it,
leading to massive fluid loss and potential hypokalemia and hyponatremia.
6. A patient is prescribed Warfarin for atrial fibrillation. Which lab value must
the nurse monitor to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy?
A. aPTT
B. INR
C. Platelet count
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: B
Rationale: The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is the standard used to monitor the
therapeutic range of Warfarin.
7. Which assessment finding in a patient with a chest tube requires immediate
intervention by the nurse?
A. Tidaling in the water-seal chamber
B. Constant bubbling in the water-seal chamber
C. Intermittent bubbling during expiration
D. Serosanguineous drainage in the collection chamber
Answer: B
Rationale: Constant bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air leak in the system,
which requires immediate troubleshooting.
8. When educating a patient about a newly prescribed ACE inhibitor for
hypertension, which side effect should the nurse emphasize reporting?
A. Constipation
B. Increased heart rate
C. Persistent dry cough
D. Hyperglycemia
Answer: C
College
1. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.31, PaCO2 50 mm Hg,
and HCO3 24 mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance does the nurse identify?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: C
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mm Hg indicates a
respiratory cause, while the normal HCO3 indicates no compensation yet.
2. Which clinical manifestation is most characteristic of right-sided heart failure?
A. Crackles in the lungs
B. Dyspnea on exertion
C. Pulmonary congestion
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: D
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure leads to systemic venous congestion, causing
peripheral edema, jugular venous distention, and hepatomegaly.
,3. A nurse is caring for a patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
(COPD). Which oxygen delivery setting is typically appropriate to prevent
respiratory depression?
A. 10-15 L/min via non-rebreather mask
B. Venturi mask at 50% FiO2
C. 6 L/min via simple face mask
D. 1-2 L/min via nasal cannula
Answer: D
Rationale: Patients with COPD may rely on a hypoxic drive to breathe. High concentrations
of oxygen can suppress this drive, so low-flow oxygen is preferred.
4. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus presents with a blood glucose of 50
mg/dL and is conscious. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer 1 mg of glucagon IM
B. Give 50 mL of Dextrose 50% IV push
C. Administer 15g of simple carbohydrates
D. Call the provider for a stat insulin order
Answer: C
Rationale: The 15-15 rule applies for conscious patients with hypoglycemia: give 15g of
carbs and recheck in 15 minutes.
5. What is the primary goal of treatment for a patient in the diuretic phase of
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)?
A. Monitoring for dehydration and electrolyte imbalances
B. Restricting fluid intake to 500 mL/day
C. Administering high doses of loop diuretics
D. Reducing potassium intake to 20 mEq/day
Answer: A
, Rationale: In the diuretic phase, the kidneys can produce urine but cannot concentrate it,
leading to massive fluid loss and potential hypokalemia and hyponatremia.
6. A patient is prescribed Warfarin for atrial fibrillation. Which lab value must
the nurse monitor to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy?
A. aPTT
B. INR
C. Platelet count
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: B
Rationale: The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is the standard used to monitor the
therapeutic range of Warfarin.
7. Which assessment finding in a patient with a chest tube requires immediate
intervention by the nurse?
A. Tidaling in the water-seal chamber
B. Constant bubbling in the water-seal chamber
C. Intermittent bubbling during expiration
D. Serosanguineous drainage in the collection chamber
Answer: B
Rationale: Constant bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air leak in the system,
which requires immediate troubleshooting.
8. When educating a patient about a newly prescribed ACE inhibitor for
hypertension, which side effect should the nurse emphasize reporting?
A. Constipation
B. Increased heart rate
C. Persistent dry cough
D. Hyperglycemia
Answer: C
