NU 185 Exam 3 - Medical-Surgical Nursing II Practice Quiz 2026 Galen
College
1. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes is found unconscious. What is the priority
nursing action?
A. Check the patient’s blood glucose level.
B. Administer 15g of simple carbohydrates orally.
C. Call the physician immediately.
D. Administer Glucagon IM or SQ.
Answer: D
Rationale: If a patient is unconscious and hypoglycemia is suspected, the nurse should
administer glucagon or D50W (IV) because the patient cannot safely swallow.
2. Which lab value is most indicative of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A. Blood glucose of 400 mg/dL and arterial pH of 7.25
B. Blood glucose of 800 mg/dL and negative urine ketones
C. HbA1c of 8.5%
D. Bicarbonate level of 24 mEq/L
Answer: A
Rationale: DKA is characterized by hyperglycemia, metabolic acidosis (low pH/low
bicarb), and the presence of ketones.
,3. A patient is prescribed Levothyroxine for hypothyroidism. When should the
nurse instruct the patient to take this medication?
A. In the morning, 30-60 minutes before breakfast
B. With the largest meal of the day
C. Right before bedtime with a snack
D. Immediately after a high-fiber breakfast
Answer: A
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach in the morning to ensure
optimal absorption and prevent insomnia.
4. Which clinical manifestation is expected in a patient with Graves’ disease?
A. Exophthalmos and heat intolerance
B. Bradycardia and weight gain
C. Cold intolerance and lethargy
D. Constipation and dry skin
Answer: A
Rationale: Graves’ disease (hyperthyroidism) causes hypermetabolism, leading to heat
intolerance and bulging eyes (exophthalmos).
5. After a thyroidectomy, the nurse notes the patient has a positive Chvostek’s
sign. What does this indicate?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Thyroid storm
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: D
Rationale: A positive Chvostek’s sign (facial twitching) indicates hypocalcemia, which can
occur if the parathyroid glands are accidentally damaged or removed during surgery.
, 6. Which medication is commonly used to treat Hyperthyroidism by blocking the
synthesis of thyroid hormones?
A. Prednisone
B. Methimazole
C. Desmopressin
D. Fludrocortisone
Answer: B
Rationale: Methimazole (Tapazole) or Propylthiouracil (PTU) are antithyroid medications
used to treat hyperthyroidism.
7. A patient with Cushing’s Syndrome would likely display which physical
characteristic?
A. Hyperpigmentation of the skin
B. Extreme weight loss
C. Hypotension
D. Truncal obesity and moon face
Answer: D
Rationale: Cushing’s Syndrome (excess cortisol) causes redistribution of fat to the trunk,
face, and cervical spine (buffalo hump).
8. A patient is admitted with Addisonian Crisis. What is the most critical
intervention?
A. Potassium restriction
B. Initiating a low-sodium diet
C. Administration of insulin
D. IV fluid resuscitation and high-dose hydrocortisone
Answer: D
Rationale: Addisonian crisis is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate steroid
replacement and IV fluids to treat hypotension and shock.
College
1. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes is found unconscious. What is the priority
nursing action?
A. Check the patient’s blood glucose level.
B. Administer 15g of simple carbohydrates orally.
C. Call the physician immediately.
D. Administer Glucagon IM or SQ.
Answer: D
Rationale: If a patient is unconscious and hypoglycemia is suspected, the nurse should
administer glucagon or D50W (IV) because the patient cannot safely swallow.
2. Which lab value is most indicative of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A. Blood glucose of 400 mg/dL and arterial pH of 7.25
B. Blood glucose of 800 mg/dL and negative urine ketones
C. HbA1c of 8.5%
D. Bicarbonate level of 24 mEq/L
Answer: A
Rationale: DKA is characterized by hyperglycemia, metabolic acidosis (low pH/low
bicarb), and the presence of ketones.
,3. A patient is prescribed Levothyroxine for hypothyroidism. When should the
nurse instruct the patient to take this medication?
A. In the morning, 30-60 minutes before breakfast
B. With the largest meal of the day
C. Right before bedtime with a snack
D. Immediately after a high-fiber breakfast
Answer: A
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach in the morning to ensure
optimal absorption and prevent insomnia.
4. Which clinical manifestation is expected in a patient with Graves’ disease?
A. Exophthalmos and heat intolerance
B. Bradycardia and weight gain
C. Cold intolerance and lethargy
D. Constipation and dry skin
Answer: A
Rationale: Graves’ disease (hyperthyroidism) causes hypermetabolism, leading to heat
intolerance and bulging eyes (exophthalmos).
5. After a thyroidectomy, the nurse notes the patient has a positive Chvostek’s
sign. What does this indicate?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Thyroid storm
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: D
Rationale: A positive Chvostek’s sign (facial twitching) indicates hypocalcemia, which can
occur if the parathyroid glands are accidentally damaged or removed during surgery.
, 6. Which medication is commonly used to treat Hyperthyroidism by blocking the
synthesis of thyroid hormones?
A. Prednisone
B. Methimazole
C. Desmopressin
D. Fludrocortisone
Answer: B
Rationale: Methimazole (Tapazole) or Propylthiouracil (PTU) are antithyroid medications
used to treat hyperthyroidism.
7. A patient with Cushing’s Syndrome would likely display which physical
characteristic?
A. Hyperpigmentation of the skin
B. Extreme weight loss
C. Hypotension
D. Truncal obesity and moon face
Answer: D
Rationale: Cushing’s Syndrome (excess cortisol) causes redistribution of fat to the trunk,
face, and cervical spine (buffalo hump).
8. A patient is admitted with Addisonian Crisis. What is the most critical
intervention?
A. Potassium restriction
B. Initiating a low-sodium diet
C. Administration of insulin
D. IV fluid resuscitation and high-dose hydrocortisone
Answer: D
Rationale: Addisonian crisis is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate steroid
replacement and IV fluids to treat hypotension and shock.
