NUR 242 Exam 3 Medical-Surgical
Nursing 2026 study questions Unit 7
& 8 | Questions and Verified Answers
| 100% Correct | Grade A
This Galen College of Nursing NUR 242 Exam 3 (Units 7 & 8) tests
your knowledge on medical-surgical nursing, specifically focusing on
respiratory disorders, oxygen therapy, and upper/lower
airway management. Exam questions center around priority nursing
assessments, patient prioritization, the appropriate delivery of oxygen,
and interventions for complications like vagal stimulation or airway
obstructions.
This critical Q&A below represents newest core study material you will
encounter on Galen course resource
Quiz______________?
The nurse immediately checks on the patient and finds that she appears anxious
and her vital signs are as follows:
ØBlood pressure: 128/84 mm Hg
ØHeart rate: 114 (sinus tachycardia)
ØRespiratory rate: 24, labored and restless
ØTemperature: 99.4° F (axillary)
ØO2 saturation: 91% on 40% O2 via trach collar
Which of these findings are cause for concern? -
☑️
1
,ANSWER **
The BP is within normal range and only slightly elevated. **The temperature is
only slightly elevated. **Her heart rate is elevated; the nurse should check the
patient's medications to see if she is on a bronchodilator or other medication that
could cause her heart rate to increase. The priority concern is the
RESTLESSNESS with increased respiratory rate and the decreased oxygen
saturation despite the 40% oxygen setting.
Quiz_________________?
A patient with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is admitted with
shortness of breath. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Do not administer oxygen.
B. Administer oxygen via Venturi mask.
C. Use nasal cannula to administer high flow oxygen.
D. Administer oxygen at 6L per simple face mask. -
☑️
ANSWER B
Oxygen therapy is prescribed at the lowest liter flow needed to manage
hypoxemia. A system that delivers more precise oxygen levels (e.g., a Venturi
mask) is preferred. Monitor the patient's response to therapy closely to ensure
adequate gas exchange and correction of hypoxemia.
Quiz_________________?
2
,While suctioning a patient, vagal stimulation occurs. What is the appropriate
nursing action?
A. Instruct the patient to cough.
B. Place the patient in a high Fowler's position.
C. Oxygenate the patient with 100% oxygen.
D. Instruct the patient to breathe slowly and deeply. -
☑️
ANSWER C
Vagal stimulation may occur during suctioning and result in severe bradycardia,
hypotension, heart block, ventricular tachycardia, asystole, or other dysrhythmias.
If vagal stimulation occurs, stop suctioning immediately and oxygenate the patient
manually with 100% oxygen. Repositioning the patient, slow deep breathing, and
coughing will not address the cardiovascular effects of vagal stimulation.
Quiz_________________?
The nurse recognizes that a patient with sleep apnea may benefit from which
intervention(s)? (Select all that apply.)
A. Weight loss
B. Nasal mask to deliver BiPAP
C. A change in sleeping position
D. Medication to increase daytime sleepiness
E. Position-fixing device that prevents tongue subluxation -
☑️
3
, ANSWER A, B, C, E
All interventions listed are viable interventions that can be of benefit to patients
who have sleep apnea. Patients should work with their providers of care to
determine the severity of their sleep apnea and which specific interventions would
be of most importance to them. Encouraging daytime sleepiness is the opposite of
the effect needed for this patient.
Quiz_________________?
Based on the patient's diagnosis, which clinical manifestations would the nurse
expect to see when assessing this patient? (Select all that apply.)
A. Bradycardia
B. Shortness of breath
C. Use of accessory muscles
D. Sitting in a forward posture
E. Barrel chest appearance -
☑️
ANSWER B, C, D, E
The patient with COPD often has a barrel chest appearance, is short of breath,
and may use accessory muscles when breathing. These patients tend to move
slowly and are slightly stooped. Usually they sit with a forward-bending posture.
With severe dyspnea, they exhibit activity intolerance and activities such as
bathing and grooming are avoided.
4
Nursing 2026 study questions Unit 7
& 8 | Questions and Verified Answers
| 100% Correct | Grade A
This Galen College of Nursing NUR 242 Exam 3 (Units 7 & 8) tests
your knowledge on medical-surgical nursing, specifically focusing on
respiratory disorders, oxygen therapy, and upper/lower
airway management. Exam questions center around priority nursing
assessments, patient prioritization, the appropriate delivery of oxygen,
and interventions for complications like vagal stimulation or airway
obstructions.
This critical Q&A below represents newest core study material you will
encounter on Galen course resource
Quiz______________?
The nurse immediately checks on the patient and finds that she appears anxious
and her vital signs are as follows:
ØBlood pressure: 128/84 mm Hg
ØHeart rate: 114 (sinus tachycardia)
ØRespiratory rate: 24, labored and restless
ØTemperature: 99.4° F (axillary)
ØO2 saturation: 91% on 40% O2 via trach collar
Which of these findings are cause for concern? -
☑️
1
,ANSWER **
The BP is within normal range and only slightly elevated. **The temperature is
only slightly elevated. **Her heart rate is elevated; the nurse should check the
patient's medications to see if she is on a bronchodilator or other medication that
could cause her heart rate to increase. The priority concern is the
RESTLESSNESS with increased respiratory rate and the decreased oxygen
saturation despite the 40% oxygen setting.
Quiz_________________?
A patient with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is admitted with
shortness of breath. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Do not administer oxygen.
B. Administer oxygen via Venturi mask.
C. Use nasal cannula to administer high flow oxygen.
D. Administer oxygen at 6L per simple face mask. -
☑️
ANSWER B
Oxygen therapy is prescribed at the lowest liter flow needed to manage
hypoxemia. A system that delivers more precise oxygen levels (e.g., a Venturi
mask) is preferred. Monitor the patient's response to therapy closely to ensure
adequate gas exchange and correction of hypoxemia.
Quiz_________________?
2
,While suctioning a patient, vagal stimulation occurs. What is the appropriate
nursing action?
A. Instruct the patient to cough.
B. Place the patient in a high Fowler's position.
C. Oxygenate the patient with 100% oxygen.
D. Instruct the patient to breathe slowly and deeply. -
☑️
ANSWER C
Vagal stimulation may occur during suctioning and result in severe bradycardia,
hypotension, heart block, ventricular tachycardia, asystole, or other dysrhythmias.
If vagal stimulation occurs, stop suctioning immediately and oxygenate the patient
manually with 100% oxygen. Repositioning the patient, slow deep breathing, and
coughing will not address the cardiovascular effects of vagal stimulation.
Quiz_________________?
The nurse recognizes that a patient with sleep apnea may benefit from which
intervention(s)? (Select all that apply.)
A. Weight loss
B. Nasal mask to deliver BiPAP
C. A change in sleeping position
D. Medication to increase daytime sleepiness
E. Position-fixing device that prevents tongue subluxation -
☑️
3
, ANSWER A, B, C, E
All interventions listed are viable interventions that can be of benefit to patients
who have sleep apnea. Patients should work with their providers of care to
determine the severity of their sleep apnea and which specific interventions would
be of most importance to them. Encouraging daytime sleepiness is the opposite of
the effect needed for this patient.
Quiz_________________?
Based on the patient's diagnosis, which clinical manifestations would the nurse
expect to see when assessing this patient? (Select all that apply.)
A. Bradycardia
B. Shortness of breath
C. Use of accessory muscles
D. Sitting in a forward posture
E. Barrel chest appearance -
☑️
ANSWER B, C, D, E
The patient with COPD often has a barrel chest appearance, is short of breath,
and may use accessory muscles when breathing. These patients tend to move
slowly and are slightly stooped. Usually they sit with a forward-bending posture.
With severe dyspnea, they exhibit activity intolerance and activities such as
bathing and grooming are avoided.
4
