NU 155 EXAM 3 MEDICAL-SURGICAL
NURSING I QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
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Core Domains
• Perioperative Nursing and Surgical Asepsis
• Wound Care and Pressure Injury Prevention
• Pain Management and Pharmacological Interventions
• Fluid and Electrolyte Balance
• Cardiovascular and Respiratory Nursing Care
• Gastrointestinal and Renal Nursing Care
• Neurological and Musculoskeletal Nursing Care
• Infection Prevention and Control
• Prioritization, Delegation, and Clinical Judgment
• Ethical and Legal Standards in Nursing Practice
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is designed to assess the knowledge and
clinical competency required for NU 155 Medical-Surgical Nursing I Exam
3. The exam evaluates foundational theory, applied nursing knowledge,
regulatory compliance, ethics, and critical thinking in real-world clinical
scenarios. Candidates will demonstrate their understanding of
perioperative care, wound management, pain assessment, fluid and
electrolyte balance, and systems-based disorders. The assessment consists
of multiple-choice questions that emphasize practical application,
,prioritization, delegation, and clinical decision-making in diverse medical-
surgical settings. Successful completion indicates readiness to provide
safe, evidence-based nursing care for adults experiencing common and
predictable health problems in accordance with Galen College of Nursing
standards.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
The nurse is monitoring a client's surgical incision and notes an increase
in the amount of drainage, a separation of the incision line, and the
appearance of underlying tissue. Which of the following is an
appropriate action for the nurse to take?
A. Cover the wound loosely with a sterile dry dressing
B. Apply a sterile, normal-saline soaked dressing to the wound
C. Massage the wound edges gently to promote healing
D. Clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide and apply antibiotic
ointment
B. Apply a sterile, normal-saline soaked dressing to the wound
RATIONALE: This presentation is consistent with wound dehiscence,
a complication where the surgical wound separates. Covering the area
with a sterile saline-soaked dressing keeps tissues moist and prevents
contamination while minimizing trauma. Dry dressings can cause tissue
desiccation, and hydrogen peroxide can damage new granulation
tissue.
Question 2
The nurse is providing preoperative instructions to a client scheduled
for surgery to correct spinal curvature. Which statement by the client
best demonstrates correct understanding of the teaching?
,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."
B. "I will show you the method of turning I will use after surgery."
RATIONALE: Demonstrating the correct method of turning indicates
the client understands how to move safely after surgery to prevent
complications such as spinal injury or wound disruption. This shows
active engagement and comprehension of postoperative mobility
instructions.
Question 3
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
B. Monitor the client's body language, facial expressions, emotional
status, and consolability
RATIONALE: For clients with cognitive impairment who cannot self-
report pain, behavioral indicators such as body language, facial
expressions, emotional status, and consolability are the most effective
assessment tools. These non-verbal cues provide valuable information
about pain presence and intensity.
Question 4
, The nurse is caring for a client who has diabetes mellitus and reports
sharp, burning pain in bilateral lower extremities. The nurse
understands that the client may be experiencing:
A. Nociceptive pain
B. Referred pain
C. Neuropathic pain
D. Phantom limb pain
C. Neuropathic pain
RATIONALE: Neuropathic pain results from nerve damage often
associated with diabetes mellitus, characterized by sharp, burning
sensations typically in a "stocking-glove" distribution in the lower
extremities.
Question 5
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
B. Assist with early ambulation
RATIONALE: Early ambulation is critical to prevent complications
such as deep vein thrombosis, pneumonia, and muscle deconditioning.
It promotes circulation, maintains muscle strength, and facilitates
recovery following orthopedic surgery.
Question 6
NURSING I QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
• Perioperative Nursing and Surgical Asepsis
• Wound Care and Pressure Injury Prevention
• Pain Management and Pharmacological Interventions
• Fluid and Electrolyte Balance
• Cardiovascular and Respiratory Nursing Care
• Gastrointestinal and Renal Nursing Care
• Neurological and Musculoskeletal Nursing Care
• Infection Prevention and Control
• Prioritization, Delegation, and Clinical Judgment
• Ethical and Legal Standards in Nursing Practice
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is designed to assess the knowledge and
clinical competency required for NU 155 Medical-Surgical Nursing I Exam
3. The exam evaluates foundational theory, applied nursing knowledge,
regulatory compliance, ethics, and critical thinking in real-world clinical
scenarios. Candidates will demonstrate their understanding of
perioperative care, wound management, pain assessment, fluid and
electrolyte balance, and systems-based disorders. The assessment consists
of multiple-choice questions that emphasize practical application,
,prioritization, delegation, and clinical decision-making in diverse medical-
surgical settings. Successful completion indicates readiness to provide
safe, evidence-based nursing care for adults experiencing common and
predictable health problems in accordance with Galen College of Nursing
standards.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
The nurse is monitoring a client's surgical incision and notes an increase
in the amount of drainage, a separation of the incision line, and the
appearance of underlying tissue. Which of the following is an
appropriate action for the nurse to take?
A. Cover the wound loosely with a sterile dry dressing
B. Apply a sterile, normal-saline soaked dressing to the wound
C. Massage the wound edges gently to promote healing
D. Clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide and apply antibiotic
ointment
B. Apply a sterile, normal-saline soaked dressing to the wound
RATIONALE: This presentation is consistent with wound dehiscence,
a complication where the surgical wound separates. Covering the area
with a sterile saline-soaked dressing keeps tissues moist and prevents
contamination while minimizing trauma. Dry dressings can cause tissue
desiccation, and hydrogen peroxide can damage new granulation
tissue.
Question 2
The nurse is providing preoperative instructions to a client scheduled
for surgery to correct spinal curvature. Which statement by the client
best demonstrates correct understanding of the teaching?
,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."
B. "I will show you the method of turning I will use after surgery."
RATIONALE: Demonstrating the correct method of turning indicates
the client understands how to move safely after surgery to prevent
complications such as spinal injury or wound disruption. This shows
active engagement and comprehension of postoperative mobility
instructions.
Question 3
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
B. Monitor the client's body language, facial expressions, emotional
status, and consolability
RATIONALE: For clients with cognitive impairment who cannot self-
report pain, behavioral indicators such as body language, facial
expressions, emotional status, and consolability are the most effective
assessment tools. These non-verbal cues provide valuable information
about pain presence and intensity.
Question 4
, The nurse is caring for a client who has diabetes mellitus and reports
sharp, burning pain in bilateral lower extremities. The nurse
understands that the client may be experiencing:
A. Nociceptive pain
B. Referred pain
C. Neuropathic pain
D. Phantom limb pain
C. Neuropathic pain
RATIONALE: Neuropathic pain results from nerve damage often
associated with diabetes mellitus, characterized by sharp, burning
sensations typically in a "stocking-glove" distribution in the lower
extremities.
Question 5
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
B. Assist with early ambulation
RATIONALE: Early ambulation is critical to prevent complications
such as deep vein thrombosis, pneumonia, and muscle deconditioning.
It promotes circulation, maintains muscle strength, and facilitates
recovery following orthopedic surgery.
Question 6
