NU 185 Exam 3 Medical-Surgical Nursing II Study Quiz 2026 Galen
College
1. A patient with COPD is using pursed-lip breathing. What is the primary
purpose of this technique?
A. To increase the respiratory rate
B. To prolong exhalation and prevent airway collapse
C. To decrease the amount of oxygen inhaled
D. To strengthen the diaphragm muscles
Answer: B
Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing helps maintain positive airway pressure in the
bronchioles, preventing them from collapsing during exhalation and allowing more CO2 to
be expelled.
2. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of a patient experiencing left-
sided heart failure?
A. Jugular venous distention
B. Crackles heard upon lung auscultation
C. Peripheral edema in the lower extremities
D. Hepatosplenomegaly
Answer: B
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the pulmonary veins,
leading to pulmonary congestion and crackles.
,3. A nurse is caring for a patient with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Which lab
value should be most closely monitored for safety?
A. Sodium
B. Calcium
C. Potassium
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperkalemia is a life-threatening complication of CKD because the kidneys
cannot excrete potassium, which can lead to cardiac dysrhythmias.
4. A patient is prescribed Lactulose for hepatic encephalopathy. What is the
primary goal of this medication?
A. To treat constipation
B. To increase glucose absorption
C. To reduce serum ammonia levels
D. To prevent esophageal varices
Answer: C
Rationale: Lactulose promotes the excretion of ammonia through the stool, which helps
improve the neurological status of patients with hepatic encephalopathy.
5. Which of the following is an early sign of Compartment Syndrome after a
fracture?
A. Loss of distal pulse
B. Pain that is unrelieved by opioids
C. Paralysis
D. Cyanosis of the digits
Answer: B
Rationale: Unrelenting pain out of proportion to the injury that does not respond to
medication is an early sign of increased pressure within the muscle compartment.
, 6. When caring for a patient post-thyroidectomy, the nurse notes positive
Chvostek’s and Trousseau’s signs. This indicates:
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: C
Rationale: Damage to the parathyroid glands during thyroidectomy can lead to low
calcium levels, resulting in neuromuscular irritability (tetany).
7. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes presents with deep, rapid respirations and a
fruity breath odor. What is the priority intervention?
A. Administer oral glucose
B. Administer a long-acting insulin dose
C. Provide a high-carbohydrate snack
D. Administer IV regular insulin and fluids
Answer: D
Rationale: These are symptoms of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), which requires IV
hydration and regular insulin to correct acidosis and hyperglycemia.
8. Which medication is considered the ‘gold standard’ for the treatment of
Parkinson’s Disease?
A. Donepezil
B. Levodopa-Carbidopa
C. Phenytoin
D. Warfarin
Answer: B
Rationale: Levodopa is converted to dopamine in the brain, and Carbidopa prevents its
breakdown in the periphery, making it the most effective treatment for motor symptoms.
College
1. A patient with COPD is using pursed-lip breathing. What is the primary
purpose of this technique?
A. To increase the respiratory rate
B. To prolong exhalation and prevent airway collapse
C. To decrease the amount of oxygen inhaled
D. To strengthen the diaphragm muscles
Answer: B
Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing helps maintain positive airway pressure in the
bronchioles, preventing them from collapsing during exhalation and allowing more CO2 to
be expelled.
2. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of a patient experiencing left-
sided heart failure?
A. Jugular venous distention
B. Crackles heard upon lung auscultation
C. Peripheral edema in the lower extremities
D. Hepatosplenomegaly
Answer: B
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the pulmonary veins,
leading to pulmonary congestion and crackles.
,3. A nurse is caring for a patient with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Which lab
value should be most closely monitored for safety?
A. Sodium
B. Calcium
C. Potassium
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperkalemia is a life-threatening complication of CKD because the kidneys
cannot excrete potassium, which can lead to cardiac dysrhythmias.
4. A patient is prescribed Lactulose for hepatic encephalopathy. What is the
primary goal of this medication?
A. To treat constipation
B. To increase glucose absorption
C. To reduce serum ammonia levels
D. To prevent esophageal varices
Answer: C
Rationale: Lactulose promotes the excretion of ammonia through the stool, which helps
improve the neurological status of patients with hepatic encephalopathy.
5. Which of the following is an early sign of Compartment Syndrome after a
fracture?
A. Loss of distal pulse
B. Pain that is unrelieved by opioids
C. Paralysis
D. Cyanosis of the digits
Answer: B
Rationale: Unrelenting pain out of proportion to the injury that does not respond to
medication is an early sign of increased pressure within the muscle compartment.
, 6. When caring for a patient post-thyroidectomy, the nurse notes positive
Chvostek’s and Trousseau’s signs. This indicates:
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: C
Rationale: Damage to the parathyroid glands during thyroidectomy can lead to low
calcium levels, resulting in neuromuscular irritability (tetany).
7. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes presents with deep, rapid respirations and a
fruity breath odor. What is the priority intervention?
A. Administer oral glucose
B. Administer a long-acting insulin dose
C. Provide a high-carbohydrate snack
D. Administer IV regular insulin and fluids
Answer: D
Rationale: These are symptoms of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), which requires IV
hydration and regular insulin to correct acidosis and hyperglycemia.
8. Which medication is considered the ‘gold standard’ for the treatment of
Parkinson’s Disease?
A. Donepezil
B. Levodopa-Carbidopa
C. Phenytoin
D. Warfarin
Answer: B
Rationale: Levodopa is converted to dopamine in the brain, and Carbidopa prevents its
breakdown in the periphery, making it the most effective treatment for motor symptoms.
