NU 155 EXAM 3 - MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING I
(2026) Comprehensive Examination | Questions
with Answers Galen College of Nursing | Medical-
Surgical Nursing I
QUESTION 1 | Multiple Choice
The nurse is providing preoperative teaching to a client who will be having
abdominal surgery. Which statement by the client indicates understanding of
postoperative mobility?
A. "I will limit my movements completely after surgery."
B. "I will show you the method of turning I will use after surgery."
C. "I can get out of bed as soon as I feel like it."
D. "Pain medication will not be necessary after surgery."
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B
QUESTION 2 | Multiple Choice
The nurse is assessing a postoperative client who has advanced cognitive
impairment. Which action is most effective when assessing the client's level of
pain?
A. Ask the client to rate pain on a scale of 0-10.
B. Monitor the client's body language, facial expressions, emotional
status, and consolability.
C. Use the Wong-Baker FACES pain scale.
D. Measure vital signs only.
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B
QUESTION 3 | Multiple Choice
,The nurse is caring for a client who has diabetes mellitus and is experiencing
pain. The nurse understands that the client may be experiencing:
A. Nociceptive pain.
B. Referred pain.
C. Neuropathic pain.
D. Phantom limb pain.
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C
QUESTION 4 | Multiple Choice
The nurse is assessing a client who reports pain that is described as burning
and shooting. This type of pain is most consistent with:
A. Nociceptive pain.
B. Neuropathic pain.
C. Somatic pain.
D. Visceral pain.
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B
QUESTION 5 | Multiple Choice
A client is admitted to the medical-surgical unit following a total hip
replacement. Which nursing intervention is most important to prevent
postoperative complications?
A. Encourage the client to lie flat with legs extended.
B. Assist with early ambulation.
C. Keep the client on strict bed rest for 24 hours.
D. Administer pain medication only when the client requests it.
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B
QUESTION 6 | Multiple Choice
,The nurse is evaluating a client's understanding of postoperative pain
management. Which statement indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will take my pain medication before the pain becomes severe."
B. "I will use non-pharmacological techniques to help manage my pain."
C. "I will report any breakthrough pain to my nurse."
D. "Pain medication is addictive, so I will only take it when I can't stand
the pain."
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: D
QUESTION 7 | Multiple Choice
The nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative day 1 following a bowel
resection. The client reports incisional pain rated as 7 on a 0-10 scale. Which
intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Administer oral pain medication.
B. Assess the surgical incision for signs of infection.
C. Apply a cold pack to the incision.
D. Encourage deep breathing and relaxation.
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B
QUESTION 8 | Multiple Choice
A client who is 2 days post-operative from an open cholecystectomy reports
sudden sharp pain in the chest and shortness of breath. The nurse should
suspect which complication?
A. Atelectasis
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Surgical site infection
D. Paralytic ileus
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B
, QUESTION 9 | Multiple Choice
The nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client following surgery. The
client should be instructed to report which sign of wound infection?
A. Slight redness around the incision
B. Purulent drainage from the incision
C. Mild tenderness at the incision site
D. Small amount of serosanguineous drainage
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B
QUESTION 10 | Multiple Choice
The nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for developing a pressure injury.
Which intervention should the nurse include in the care plan?
A. Keep the head of bed elevated at 45 degrees continuously.
B. Massage bony prominences daily.
C. Reposition the client every 2 hours.
D. Use a donut-shaped cushion for heels.
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C
QUESTION 11 | Multiple Choice
A client with diabetes mellitus is admitted for wound debridement. Which
assessment finding is most concerning?
A. Blood glucose level of 140 mg/dL
B. Non-healing ulcer on the foot
C. Serum potassium level of 4.0 mEq/L
D. Hemoglobin A1C of 7.0%
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B
QUESTION 12 | Multiple Choice
(2026) Comprehensive Examination | Questions
with Answers Galen College of Nursing | Medical-
Surgical Nursing I
QUESTION 1 | Multiple Choice
The nurse is providing preoperative teaching to a client who will be having
abdominal surgery. Which statement by the client indicates understanding of
postoperative mobility?
A. "I will limit my movements completely after surgery."
B. "I will show you the method of turning I will use after surgery."
C. "I can get out of bed as soon as I feel like it."
D. "Pain medication will not be necessary after surgery."
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B
QUESTION 2 | Multiple Choice
The nurse is assessing a postoperative client who has advanced cognitive
impairment. Which action is most effective when assessing the client's level of
pain?
A. Ask the client to rate pain on a scale of 0-10.
B. Monitor the client's body language, facial expressions, emotional
status, and consolability.
C. Use the Wong-Baker FACES pain scale.
D. Measure vital signs only.
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B
QUESTION 3 | Multiple Choice
,The nurse is caring for a client who has diabetes mellitus and is experiencing
pain. The nurse understands that the client may be experiencing:
A. Nociceptive pain.
B. Referred pain.
C. Neuropathic pain.
D. Phantom limb pain.
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C
QUESTION 4 | Multiple Choice
The nurse is assessing a client who reports pain that is described as burning
and shooting. This type of pain is most consistent with:
A. Nociceptive pain.
B. Neuropathic pain.
C. Somatic pain.
D. Visceral pain.
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B
QUESTION 5 | Multiple Choice
A client is admitted to the medical-surgical unit following a total hip
replacement. Which nursing intervention is most important to prevent
postoperative complications?
A. Encourage the client to lie flat with legs extended.
B. Assist with early ambulation.
C. Keep the client on strict bed rest for 24 hours.
D. Administer pain medication only when the client requests it.
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B
QUESTION 6 | Multiple Choice
,The nurse is evaluating a client's understanding of postoperative pain
management. Which statement indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will take my pain medication before the pain becomes severe."
B. "I will use non-pharmacological techniques to help manage my pain."
C. "I will report any breakthrough pain to my nurse."
D. "Pain medication is addictive, so I will only take it when I can't stand
the pain."
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: D
QUESTION 7 | Multiple Choice
The nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative day 1 following a bowel
resection. The client reports incisional pain rated as 7 on a 0-10 scale. Which
intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Administer oral pain medication.
B. Assess the surgical incision for signs of infection.
C. Apply a cold pack to the incision.
D. Encourage deep breathing and relaxation.
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B
QUESTION 8 | Multiple Choice
A client who is 2 days post-operative from an open cholecystectomy reports
sudden sharp pain in the chest and shortness of breath. The nurse should
suspect which complication?
A. Atelectasis
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Surgical site infection
D. Paralytic ileus
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B
, QUESTION 9 | Multiple Choice
The nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client following surgery. The
client should be instructed to report which sign of wound infection?
A. Slight redness around the incision
B. Purulent drainage from the incision
C. Mild tenderness at the incision site
D. Small amount of serosanguineous drainage
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B
QUESTION 10 | Multiple Choice
The nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for developing a pressure injury.
Which intervention should the nurse include in the care plan?
A. Keep the head of bed elevated at 45 degrees continuously.
B. Massage bony prominences daily.
C. Reposition the client every 2 hours.
D. Use a donut-shaped cushion for heels.
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C
QUESTION 11 | Multiple Choice
A client with diabetes mellitus is admitted for wound debridement. Which
assessment finding is most concerning?
A. Blood glucose level of 140 mg/dL
B. Non-healing ulcer on the foot
C. Serum potassium level of 4.0 mEq/L
D. Hemoglobin A1C of 7.0%
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B
QUESTION 12 | Multiple Choice
