NU 185 EXAM 2 (GALEN) NEWEST 2026/ 2027 ACTUAL
EXAM| NU185 MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING II
EXAM 2 REVIEW WITH COMPLETE REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS/
ALREADY GRADED A+ (MOST RECENT!!)
A client with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is receiving an insulin
infusion. Which assessment finding requires the nurse's immediate
action?
A. Blood glucose 230 mg/dL
B. Potassium 2.9 mEq/L
C. Urine output 70 mL/hr
D. Respiratory rate 22/min - Correct Answer - B
Insulin drives potassium into cells, worsening hypokalemia. Severe
hypokalemia can cause life-threatening dysrhythmias.
A client receiving IV morphine becomes difficult to arouse. Respirations
are 7/min.
A. Administer naloxone.
B. Give acetaminophen.
C. Increase IV fluids.
D. Reassess in 30 minutes. - Correct Answer - A
Respiratory depression is the most serious adverse effect of opioids.
Naloxone reverses opioid effects rapidly.
pg. 1
,A client with a chest tube suddenly reports severe shortness of breath.
The nurse finds the tubing disconnected from the drainage system.
A. Clamp the chest tube.
B. Reconnect the tubing using sterile technique.
C. Remove the chest tube.
D. Lower the drainage system below the bed. - Correct Answer - B
Quickly restoring the closed drainage system helps prevent a tension
pneumothorax.
A 72-year-old client is admitted from the emergency department with
urosepsis. Assessment findings include temperature 103.4°F (39.7°C),
blood pressure 82/48 mmHg, heart rate 132/min, respiratory rate 30/min,
oxygen saturation 91% on room air, and confusion. The provider has
prescribed blood cultures, broad-spectrum IV antibiotics, a 30 mL/kg
normal saline bolus, acetaminophen, and a Foley catheter. Which
prescription should the nurse implement first?
A. Obtain blood cultures.
B. Administer acetaminophen.
C. Begin the IV normal saline bolus.
D. Insert the Foley catheter. - Correct Answer - C
The client is in septic shock with hypotension. Restoring circulation
takes priority according to ABCs. Blood cultures should be obtained
before antibiotics when possible, but circulatory collapse is the
immediate threat.
A nurse is caring for a client receiving a continuous heparin infusion for
pulmonary embolism. Morning laboratory results are:
aPTT: 142 seconds
pg. 2
,Platelets: 228,000/mm³
Hemoglobin: 13.8 g/dL
What should the nurse do first?
A. Continue the infusion.
B. Stop the heparin infusion.
C. Administer protamine immediately.
D. Increase the infusion rate. - Correct Answer - B
A critically elevated aPTT indicates excessive anticoagulation. The
infusion should be stopped immediately while awaiting provider
instructions.
A client admitted with acute pancreatitis reports increasing abdominal
pain. Assessment reveals BP 88/54 mmHg, HR 126/min, RR 28/min,
oxygen saturation 95%, abdomen rigid with absent bowel sounds. Which
finding concerns the nurse the most?
A. Absent bowel sounds
B. Rigid abdomen
C. Hypotension with tachycardia
D. Pain rated 9/10 - Correct Answer - C
Hypotension and tachycardia suggest hypovolemic shock from third-
spacing or hemorrhage, requiring immediate intervention.
A client receiving multiple blood transfusions suddenly develops
dyspnea, crackles, hypertension, and jugular venous distention. Which
complication does the nurse suspect?
A. Hemolytic reaction
pg. 3
, B. Transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO)
C. Allergic reaction
D. Septic transfusion reaction - Correct Answer - B
Hypertension, pulmonary edema, crackles, and JVD indicate circulatory
overload rather than hemolysis or allergy.
A client with chronic kidney disease suddenly develops muscle
weakness. Cardiac monitoring reveals tall peaked T waves and widening
QRS complexes. Which medication should the nurse prepare to
administer first?
A. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
B. Calcium gluconate
C. Regular insulin only
D. Furosemide - Correct Answer - B
Calcium gluconate stabilizes the myocardium immediately in life-
threatening hyperkalemia. It does not lower potassium but protects
against fatal dysrhythmias.
A nurse is caring for a client receiving IV magnesium sulfate for severe
preeclampsia. Which assessment finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Urine output 18 mL/hr
B. Blood pressure 150/92 mmHg
C. Deep tendon reflexes 2+
D. Respiratory rate 18/min - Correct Answer - A
pg. 4
EXAM| NU185 MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING II
EXAM 2 REVIEW WITH COMPLETE REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS/
ALREADY GRADED A+ (MOST RECENT!!)
A client with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is receiving an insulin
infusion. Which assessment finding requires the nurse's immediate
action?
A. Blood glucose 230 mg/dL
B. Potassium 2.9 mEq/L
C. Urine output 70 mL/hr
D. Respiratory rate 22/min - Correct Answer - B
Insulin drives potassium into cells, worsening hypokalemia. Severe
hypokalemia can cause life-threatening dysrhythmias.
A client receiving IV morphine becomes difficult to arouse. Respirations
are 7/min.
A. Administer naloxone.
B. Give acetaminophen.
C. Increase IV fluids.
D. Reassess in 30 minutes. - Correct Answer - A
Respiratory depression is the most serious adverse effect of opioids.
Naloxone reverses opioid effects rapidly.
pg. 1
,A client with a chest tube suddenly reports severe shortness of breath.
The nurse finds the tubing disconnected from the drainage system.
A. Clamp the chest tube.
B. Reconnect the tubing using sterile technique.
C. Remove the chest tube.
D. Lower the drainage system below the bed. - Correct Answer - B
Quickly restoring the closed drainage system helps prevent a tension
pneumothorax.
A 72-year-old client is admitted from the emergency department with
urosepsis. Assessment findings include temperature 103.4°F (39.7°C),
blood pressure 82/48 mmHg, heart rate 132/min, respiratory rate 30/min,
oxygen saturation 91% on room air, and confusion. The provider has
prescribed blood cultures, broad-spectrum IV antibiotics, a 30 mL/kg
normal saline bolus, acetaminophen, and a Foley catheter. Which
prescription should the nurse implement first?
A. Obtain blood cultures.
B. Administer acetaminophen.
C. Begin the IV normal saline bolus.
D. Insert the Foley catheter. - Correct Answer - C
The client is in septic shock with hypotension. Restoring circulation
takes priority according to ABCs. Blood cultures should be obtained
before antibiotics when possible, but circulatory collapse is the
immediate threat.
A nurse is caring for a client receiving a continuous heparin infusion for
pulmonary embolism. Morning laboratory results are:
aPTT: 142 seconds
pg. 2
,Platelets: 228,000/mm³
Hemoglobin: 13.8 g/dL
What should the nurse do first?
A. Continue the infusion.
B. Stop the heparin infusion.
C. Administer protamine immediately.
D. Increase the infusion rate. - Correct Answer - B
A critically elevated aPTT indicates excessive anticoagulation. The
infusion should be stopped immediately while awaiting provider
instructions.
A client admitted with acute pancreatitis reports increasing abdominal
pain. Assessment reveals BP 88/54 mmHg, HR 126/min, RR 28/min,
oxygen saturation 95%, abdomen rigid with absent bowel sounds. Which
finding concerns the nurse the most?
A. Absent bowel sounds
B. Rigid abdomen
C. Hypotension with tachycardia
D. Pain rated 9/10 - Correct Answer - C
Hypotension and tachycardia suggest hypovolemic shock from third-
spacing or hemorrhage, requiring immediate intervention.
A client receiving multiple blood transfusions suddenly develops
dyspnea, crackles, hypertension, and jugular venous distention. Which
complication does the nurse suspect?
A. Hemolytic reaction
pg. 3
, B. Transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO)
C. Allergic reaction
D. Septic transfusion reaction - Correct Answer - B
Hypertension, pulmonary edema, crackles, and JVD indicate circulatory
overload rather than hemolysis or allergy.
A client with chronic kidney disease suddenly develops muscle
weakness. Cardiac monitoring reveals tall peaked T waves and widening
QRS complexes. Which medication should the nurse prepare to
administer first?
A. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
B. Calcium gluconate
C. Regular insulin only
D. Furosemide - Correct Answer - B
Calcium gluconate stabilizes the myocardium immediately in life-
threatening hyperkalemia. It does not lower potassium but protects
against fatal dysrhythmias.
A nurse is caring for a client receiving IV magnesium sulfate for severe
preeclampsia. Which assessment finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Urine output 18 mL/hr
B. Blood pressure 150/92 mmHg
C. Deep tendon reflexes 2+
D. Respiratory rate 18/min - Correct Answer - A
pg. 4
