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NUR 170 MED SURG EXAM 3 – V1 & V2 Questions with Answers &
Rationales | Galen College of Nursing
VERSION 1 (Questions 1–50)
Question 1
Which of the following is a late sign of increased intracranial
pressure (ICP)?
A. Tachycardia
B. Cushing's triad: hypertension, bradycardia, irregular
respirations
C. Hypotension
D. Hyperreflexia only
Answer: B
Rationale: Cushing's triad (hypertension, bradycardia, irregular
respirations) is a late and critical sign of increased ICP.
Question 2
A client with a stroke has left-sided weakness and left-sided
neglect. Which hemisphere is most likely affected?
A. Left hemisphere
B. Right hemisphere
C. Cerebellum
D. Brainstem
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Answer: B
Rationale: Right hemisphere lesions typically cause left-sided
weakness and left-sided neglect.
Question 3
A client is having a tonic-clonic seizure. Which nursing action is
the priority?
A. Restrain the client
B. Protect the airway and pad the side rails
C. Insert a tongue blade
D. Administer oral medications
Answer: B
Rationale: During a seizure, protect the airway, position the
client on the side if possible, and pad surroundings. Never
insert objects into the mouth.
Question 4
Which medication is first-line for status epilepticus?
A. Phenytoin
B. Lorazepam
C. Carbamazepine
D. Gabapentin
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Answer: B
Rationale: Benzodiazepines (lorazepam/diazepam) are first-line
to terminate prolonged seizures.
Question 5
A client with myasthenia gravis has which type of muscle
weakness?
A. Weakness that improves with activity
B. Fatigable weakness that worsens with activity and improves
with rest
C. Spasticity
D. No weakness
Answer: B
Rationale: Myasthenia gravis causes muscle weakness that
worsens with repeated use and improves with rest.
Question 6
Which of the following is a hallmark of Parkinson's disease?
A. Chorea
B. Resting tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia
C. Ataxia
D. Hemiplegia only
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Answer: B
Rationale: The classic triad of Parkinson's is resting tremor,
rigidity, and bradykinesia.
Question 7
A client with a fractured femur suddenly develops dyspnea,
confusion, and petechiae. What is the most likely complication?
A. Fat embolism syndrome
B. Pneumonia only
C. UTI only
D. Atelectasis only
Answer: A
Rationale: Fat embolism syndrome occurs after long bone
fractures and presents with respiratory distress, confusion, and
petechiae.
Question 8
Which of the following is a sign of compartment syndrome?
A. Pain out of proportion, paresthesia, pallor, and pulselessness
(late)
B. Mild swelling only
C. Warm skin with good pulses
D. No pain
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NUR 170 MED SURG EXAM 3 – V1 & V2 Questions with Answers &
Rationales | Galen College of Nursing
VERSION 1 (Questions 1–50)
Question 1
Which of the following is a late sign of increased intracranial
pressure (ICP)?
A. Tachycardia
B. Cushing's triad: hypertension, bradycardia, irregular
respirations
C. Hypotension
D. Hyperreflexia only
Answer: B
Rationale: Cushing's triad (hypertension, bradycardia, irregular
respirations) is a late and critical sign of increased ICP.
Question 2
A client with a stroke has left-sided weakness and left-sided
neglect. Which hemisphere is most likely affected?
A. Left hemisphere
B. Right hemisphere
C. Cerebellum
D. Brainstem
1|Page
, Page |2
Answer: B
Rationale: Right hemisphere lesions typically cause left-sided
weakness and left-sided neglect.
Question 3
A client is having a tonic-clonic seizure. Which nursing action is
the priority?
A. Restrain the client
B. Protect the airway and pad the side rails
C. Insert a tongue blade
D. Administer oral medications
Answer: B
Rationale: During a seizure, protect the airway, position the
client on the side if possible, and pad surroundings. Never
insert objects into the mouth.
Question 4
Which medication is first-line for status epilepticus?
A. Phenytoin
B. Lorazepam
C. Carbamazepine
D. Gabapentin
2|Page
, Page |3
Answer: B
Rationale: Benzodiazepines (lorazepam/diazepam) are first-line
to terminate prolonged seizures.
Question 5
A client with myasthenia gravis has which type of muscle
weakness?
A. Weakness that improves with activity
B. Fatigable weakness that worsens with activity and improves
with rest
C. Spasticity
D. No weakness
Answer: B
Rationale: Myasthenia gravis causes muscle weakness that
worsens with repeated use and improves with rest.
Question 6
Which of the following is a hallmark of Parkinson's disease?
A. Chorea
B. Resting tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia
C. Ataxia
D. Hemiplegia only
3|Page
, Page |4
Answer: B
Rationale: The classic triad of Parkinson's is resting tremor,
rigidity, and bradykinesia.
Question 7
A client with a fractured femur suddenly develops dyspnea,
confusion, and petechiae. What is the most likely complication?
A. Fat embolism syndrome
B. Pneumonia only
C. UTI only
D. Atelectasis only
Answer: A
Rationale: Fat embolism syndrome occurs after long bone
fractures and presents with respiratory distress, confusion, and
petechiae.
Question 8
Which of the following is a sign of compartment syndrome?
A. Pain out of proportion, paresthesia, pallor, and pulselessness
(late)
B. Mild swelling only
C. Warm skin with good pulses
D. No pain
4|Page
