NU 136 EXAM 2 (GALEN) – NEWEST 2026/2027 ACTUAL EXAM
TEST BANK | NU 136 FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING EXAM 2
REVIEW WITH 350 REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) ALREADY GRADED
A+ (BRAND NEW!!)
INSTRUCTIONS: This comprehensive test bank covers all content areas for NU 136
Exam 2 at Galen College of Nursing. Topics include: Nasogastric Tube Insertion
& Management, Ostomy Care, Urinary Catheterization, Specimen Collection, Pre-
and Post-Operative Care, Fluid & Electrolyte Balance, Nutrition, Elimination,
Safety & Infection Control, and Medication Administration. Each question
includes the correct answer and a detailed rationale to enhance understanding.
Questions are formatted in the NCLEX-style with multiple-choice, select-all-
that-apply, and prioritization items.
SECTION 1: NASOGASTRIC TUBE INSERTION & MANAGEMENT (Qs 1–50)
Q1: The nurse is preparing to insert a nasogastric tube into a client. The
nurse should place the client in which position for insertion?
A) Right side
B) Low Fowler's
C) High Fowler's
D) Supine with the head flat
Answer: C) High Fowler's
Rationale: During insertion of a nasogastric tube, the client is placed in a
sitting or high Fowler's position to facilitate insertion of the tube and
reduce the risk of pulmonary aspiration if the client should vomit. The right
side, low Fowler's, and supine positions place the client at risk for
aspiration; in addition, these positions do not facilitate insertion of the
tube.
1
,Q2: The nurse inspects the color of the drainage from a nasogastric tube on a
postoperative client approximately 24 hours after gastric surgery. Which
finding indicates the need to notify the health care provider (HCP)?
A) Dark red drainage
B) Dark brown drainage
C) Green-tinged drainage
D) Light yellow drainage
Answer: A) Dark red drainage
Rationale: Dark red drainage from a nasogastric tube 24 hours post-gastric
surgery may indicate active bleeding, which requires immediate notification of
the HCP. Dark brown drainage (coffee-ground) is old blood and is expected
initially but should decrease over time. Green-tinged drainage indicates bile
and is expected. Light yellow drainage is normal gastric contents.
Q3: The nurse is preparing to remove a nasogastric tube from a client. Which
action should the nurse take FIRST?
A) Clamp the tube
B) Instruct the client to take a deep breath and hold it
C) Remove the tube quickly
D) Flush the tube with 30 mL of sterile water
Answer: B) Instruct the client to take a deep breath and hold it
Rationale: Before removing a nasogastric tube, the nurse should instruct the
client to take a deep breath and hold it. This closes the epiglottis and
prevents aspiration of any gastric contents during removal. The tube is then
removed gently and quickly while the client holds their breath.
2
,Q4: The nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric tube connected to
continuous suction. Which finding indicates the need for intervention?
A) Gastric drainage of 200 mL in 4 hours
B) The tube is patent and draining
C) The client complains of nausea
D) The tube is secured to the client's gown
Answer: C) The client complains of nausea
Rationale: Nausea in a client with a nasogastric tube on continuous suction may
indicate tube obstruction, incorrect tube placement, or inadequate suction. The
nurse should assess tube patency, placement, and suction settings. Nausea is
not an expected finding and requires intervention.
Q5: The nurse is verifying the placement of a nasogastric tube. Which method
is the MOST reliable?
A) Aspirating gastric contents and checking pH
B) Listening for air insufflation over the stomach
C) Observing the color of the aspirated fluid
D) Measuring the external length of the tube
Answer: A) Aspirating gastric contents and checking pH
Rationale: The most reliable method for verifying nasogastric tube placement is
aspirating gastric contents and checking the pH. Gastric aspirate typically has
a pH of 4.0 or less. Auscultation (air insufflation) is no longer recommended
as a sole method due to unreliability. The pH method is the gold standard.
Q6: The nurse notes that a client's nasogastric tube drainage has changed from
green to coffee-ground in appearance. What is the nurse's priority action?
3
, A) Continue to monitor the drainage
B) Irrigate the tube with normal saline
C) Notify the health care provider immediately
D) Increase the suction pressure
Answer: C) Notify the health care provider immediately
Rationale: Coffee-ground drainage indicates old blood in the stomach. While
this can be expected in small amounts after gastric surgery, a significant
change or large amount requires immediate notification of the HCP because it
may indicate active bleeding or a complication.
Q7: The nurse is preparing to irrigate a nasogastric tube. Which solution is
typically used?
A) Tap water
B) Sterile normal saline
C) Distilled water
D) Sterile water
Answer: B) Sterile normal saline
Rationale: Sterile normal saline is typically used for nasogastric tube
irrigation to maintain patency. Isotonic solutions such as normal saline are
preferred because they do not cause electrolyte imbalances. Tap water or
sterile water are hypotonic and can cause electrolyte shifts if absorbed.
Q8: The nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric tube. Which nursing
intervention is appropriate to prevent skin breakdown around the nares?
A) Secure the tube tightly to the nose
B) Apply a water-soluble lubricant to the nares
C) Tape the tube to the client's forehead
4
TEST BANK | NU 136 FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING EXAM 2
REVIEW WITH 350 REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) ALREADY GRADED
A+ (BRAND NEW!!)
INSTRUCTIONS: This comprehensive test bank covers all content areas for NU 136
Exam 2 at Galen College of Nursing. Topics include: Nasogastric Tube Insertion
& Management, Ostomy Care, Urinary Catheterization, Specimen Collection, Pre-
and Post-Operative Care, Fluid & Electrolyte Balance, Nutrition, Elimination,
Safety & Infection Control, and Medication Administration. Each question
includes the correct answer and a detailed rationale to enhance understanding.
Questions are formatted in the NCLEX-style with multiple-choice, select-all-
that-apply, and prioritization items.
SECTION 1: NASOGASTRIC TUBE INSERTION & MANAGEMENT (Qs 1–50)
Q1: The nurse is preparing to insert a nasogastric tube into a client. The
nurse should place the client in which position for insertion?
A) Right side
B) Low Fowler's
C) High Fowler's
D) Supine with the head flat
Answer: C) High Fowler's
Rationale: During insertion of a nasogastric tube, the client is placed in a
sitting or high Fowler's position to facilitate insertion of the tube and
reduce the risk of pulmonary aspiration if the client should vomit. The right
side, low Fowler's, and supine positions place the client at risk for
aspiration; in addition, these positions do not facilitate insertion of the
tube.
1
,Q2: The nurse inspects the color of the drainage from a nasogastric tube on a
postoperative client approximately 24 hours after gastric surgery. Which
finding indicates the need to notify the health care provider (HCP)?
A) Dark red drainage
B) Dark brown drainage
C) Green-tinged drainage
D) Light yellow drainage
Answer: A) Dark red drainage
Rationale: Dark red drainage from a nasogastric tube 24 hours post-gastric
surgery may indicate active bleeding, which requires immediate notification of
the HCP. Dark brown drainage (coffee-ground) is old blood and is expected
initially but should decrease over time. Green-tinged drainage indicates bile
and is expected. Light yellow drainage is normal gastric contents.
Q3: The nurse is preparing to remove a nasogastric tube from a client. Which
action should the nurse take FIRST?
A) Clamp the tube
B) Instruct the client to take a deep breath and hold it
C) Remove the tube quickly
D) Flush the tube with 30 mL of sterile water
Answer: B) Instruct the client to take a deep breath and hold it
Rationale: Before removing a nasogastric tube, the nurse should instruct the
client to take a deep breath and hold it. This closes the epiglottis and
prevents aspiration of any gastric contents during removal. The tube is then
removed gently and quickly while the client holds their breath.
2
,Q4: The nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric tube connected to
continuous suction. Which finding indicates the need for intervention?
A) Gastric drainage of 200 mL in 4 hours
B) The tube is patent and draining
C) The client complains of nausea
D) The tube is secured to the client's gown
Answer: C) The client complains of nausea
Rationale: Nausea in a client with a nasogastric tube on continuous suction may
indicate tube obstruction, incorrect tube placement, or inadequate suction. The
nurse should assess tube patency, placement, and suction settings. Nausea is
not an expected finding and requires intervention.
Q5: The nurse is verifying the placement of a nasogastric tube. Which method
is the MOST reliable?
A) Aspirating gastric contents and checking pH
B) Listening for air insufflation over the stomach
C) Observing the color of the aspirated fluid
D) Measuring the external length of the tube
Answer: A) Aspirating gastric contents and checking pH
Rationale: The most reliable method for verifying nasogastric tube placement is
aspirating gastric contents and checking the pH. Gastric aspirate typically has
a pH of 4.0 or less. Auscultation (air insufflation) is no longer recommended
as a sole method due to unreliability. The pH method is the gold standard.
Q6: The nurse notes that a client's nasogastric tube drainage has changed from
green to coffee-ground in appearance. What is the nurse's priority action?
3
, A) Continue to monitor the drainage
B) Irrigate the tube with normal saline
C) Notify the health care provider immediately
D) Increase the suction pressure
Answer: C) Notify the health care provider immediately
Rationale: Coffee-ground drainage indicates old blood in the stomach. While
this can be expected in small amounts after gastric surgery, a significant
change or large amount requires immediate notification of the HCP because it
may indicate active bleeding or a complication.
Q7: The nurse is preparing to irrigate a nasogastric tube. Which solution is
typically used?
A) Tap water
B) Sterile normal saline
C) Distilled water
D) Sterile water
Answer: B) Sterile normal saline
Rationale: Sterile normal saline is typically used for nasogastric tube
irrigation to maintain patency. Isotonic solutions such as normal saline are
preferred because they do not cause electrolyte imbalances. Tap water or
sterile water are hypotonic and can cause electrolyte shifts if absorbed.
Q8: The nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric tube. Which nursing
intervention is appropriate to prevent skin breakdown around the nares?
A) Secure the tube tightly to the nose
B) Apply a water-soluble lubricant to the nares
C) Tape the tube to the client's forehead
4
