NUR 170 Exam 2 | Concepts of Medical-Surgical
Nursing (2026) Q&A | Galen College
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who has a history of migraines. Which
clinical manifestation would the nurse identify as an aura?
A) Vertigo
B) Visual disturbances
C) Lethargy
D) Numbness of the tongue
Correct Answer: Visual disturbances
Rationale: A migraine aura is a reversible neurologic symptom that
precedes or accompanies the headache, most commonly visual
disturbances such as flashing lights, scotomas, or zigzag lines. Vertigo,
lethargy, and tongue numbness are not typical aura manifestations. Aura
occurs in about 20% of migraine cases.
2. During a tonic-clonic seizure, what is the nurse's priority action?
A) Start fluids via a large-bore catheter
B) Administer IV push diazepam
C) Turn the patient's head to the side
D) Prepare to intubate the patient
Correct Answer: Turn the patient's head to the side
Rationale: During a tonic-clonic seizure, the priority is to protect the
airway and prevent aspiration by turning the patient's head to the side. IV
diazepam may be administered later to stop seizure activity, but airway
protection is the immediate priority. Do not place anything in the patient's
mouth.
,3. Which of the following is a key characteristic of a migraine headache?
A) Bilateral, dull pain
B) Unilateral, throbbing pain
C) Pain that worsens with rest
D) Gradual onset over several days
Correct Answer: Unilateral, throbbing pain
Rationale: Migraine pain is typically unilateral and throbbing or pulsatile
in quality. It often lasts 4-72 hours and worsens with movement.
Associated symptoms include nausea, vomiting, photophobia (sensitivity
to light), and phonophobia (sensitivity to sound).
4. Which medication class is used as abortive therapy for migraines and
works by causing vasoconstriction?
A) Beta-blockers
B) Triptans
C) Anticonvulsants
D) Calcium channel blockers
Correct Answer: Triptans
Rationale: Triptans are abortive medications that cause vasoconstriction
and are taken at the onset of a migraine to relieve pain. They block pain
signals and inflammation, but are contraindicated in patients with a
cardiovascular history. Beta-blockers and anticonvulsants are used for
preventive therapy.
5. A patient is prescribed a triptan for migraine relief. Which teaching
point is most important?
A) Take the medication daily to prevent migraines
B) Report any chest pain or tightness immediately
,C) Take the medication with a full meal
D) Avoid all physical activity after taking the medication
Correct Answer: Report any chest pain or tightness immediately
Rationale: Triptans can cause coronary vasospasm and should not be
used in patients with cardiovascular disease. The nurse should instruct the
patient to report chest pain, tightness, or pressure immediately. Triptans
are abortive, not preventive, and should be taken at the start of a
migraine.
6. Which cranial nerve is believed to be irritated during a migraine?
A) Cranial Nerve I (Olfactory)
B) Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
C) Cranial Nerve VII (Facial)
D) Cranial Nerve X (Vagus)
Correct Answer: Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
Rationale: The vascular theory of migraines suggests that irritation of the
trigeminal nerve (Cranial Nerve V) may contribute to migraine pain. This
nerve is involved in sensation in the face and head. The trigeminal nerve
plays a key role in the pathophysiology of migraines.
7. The POUND mnemonic is used to assess migraines. What does the "U"
stand for?
A) Unilateral location
B) Unrelenting pain
C) Unusual aura
D) Underlying cause
Correct Answer: Unilateral location
, Rationale: The POUND mnemonic helps assess migraine characteristics:
Pulsatile quality, One day duration, Unilateral location, Nausea/vomiting,
and Disabling intensity. A unilateral location is a key feature of migraines,
distinguishing them from tension headaches.
8. A patient reports a severe headache with nausea, photophobia, and a
tingling scalp. The headache is unilateral and throbbing. Which type of
headache is most likely?
A) Tension headache
B) Cluster headache
C) Migraine headache
D) Sinus headache
Correct Answer: Migraine headache
Rationale: The symptoms described—unilateral throbbing pain, nausea,
photophobia, and a tingling scalp—are classic for migraine headaches.
Tension headaches are bilateral and non-throbbing, cluster headaches are
severe and unilateral but typically around the eye, and sinus headaches
are associated with facial pressure.
9. A patient is started on propranolol for migraine prevention. Which
adverse effect should the nurse monitor for?
A) Tachycardia
B) Bradycardia
C) Hypotension
D) Hyperglycemia
Correct Answer: Bradycardia
Rationale: Propranolol is a beta-blocker used for migraine prophylaxis.
Beta-blockers can cause bradycardia and hypotension. The nurse should
Nursing (2026) Q&A | Galen College
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who has a history of migraines. Which
clinical manifestation would the nurse identify as an aura?
A) Vertigo
B) Visual disturbances
C) Lethargy
D) Numbness of the tongue
Correct Answer: Visual disturbances
Rationale: A migraine aura is a reversible neurologic symptom that
precedes or accompanies the headache, most commonly visual
disturbances such as flashing lights, scotomas, or zigzag lines. Vertigo,
lethargy, and tongue numbness are not typical aura manifestations. Aura
occurs in about 20% of migraine cases.
2. During a tonic-clonic seizure, what is the nurse's priority action?
A) Start fluids via a large-bore catheter
B) Administer IV push diazepam
C) Turn the patient's head to the side
D) Prepare to intubate the patient
Correct Answer: Turn the patient's head to the side
Rationale: During a tonic-clonic seizure, the priority is to protect the
airway and prevent aspiration by turning the patient's head to the side. IV
diazepam may be administered later to stop seizure activity, but airway
protection is the immediate priority. Do not place anything in the patient's
mouth.
,3. Which of the following is a key characteristic of a migraine headache?
A) Bilateral, dull pain
B) Unilateral, throbbing pain
C) Pain that worsens with rest
D) Gradual onset over several days
Correct Answer: Unilateral, throbbing pain
Rationale: Migraine pain is typically unilateral and throbbing or pulsatile
in quality. It often lasts 4-72 hours and worsens with movement.
Associated symptoms include nausea, vomiting, photophobia (sensitivity
to light), and phonophobia (sensitivity to sound).
4. Which medication class is used as abortive therapy for migraines and
works by causing vasoconstriction?
A) Beta-blockers
B) Triptans
C) Anticonvulsants
D) Calcium channel blockers
Correct Answer: Triptans
Rationale: Triptans are abortive medications that cause vasoconstriction
and are taken at the onset of a migraine to relieve pain. They block pain
signals and inflammation, but are contraindicated in patients with a
cardiovascular history. Beta-blockers and anticonvulsants are used for
preventive therapy.
5. A patient is prescribed a triptan for migraine relief. Which teaching
point is most important?
A) Take the medication daily to prevent migraines
B) Report any chest pain or tightness immediately
,C) Take the medication with a full meal
D) Avoid all physical activity after taking the medication
Correct Answer: Report any chest pain or tightness immediately
Rationale: Triptans can cause coronary vasospasm and should not be
used in patients with cardiovascular disease. The nurse should instruct the
patient to report chest pain, tightness, or pressure immediately. Triptans
are abortive, not preventive, and should be taken at the start of a
migraine.
6. Which cranial nerve is believed to be irritated during a migraine?
A) Cranial Nerve I (Olfactory)
B) Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
C) Cranial Nerve VII (Facial)
D) Cranial Nerve X (Vagus)
Correct Answer: Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal)
Rationale: The vascular theory of migraines suggests that irritation of the
trigeminal nerve (Cranial Nerve V) may contribute to migraine pain. This
nerve is involved in sensation in the face and head. The trigeminal nerve
plays a key role in the pathophysiology of migraines.
7. The POUND mnemonic is used to assess migraines. What does the "U"
stand for?
A) Unilateral location
B) Unrelenting pain
C) Unusual aura
D) Underlying cause
Correct Answer: Unilateral location
, Rationale: The POUND mnemonic helps assess migraine characteristics:
Pulsatile quality, One day duration, Unilateral location, Nausea/vomiting,
and Disabling intensity. A unilateral location is a key feature of migraines,
distinguishing them from tension headaches.
8. A patient reports a severe headache with nausea, photophobia, and a
tingling scalp. The headache is unilateral and throbbing. Which type of
headache is most likely?
A) Tension headache
B) Cluster headache
C) Migraine headache
D) Sinus headache
Correct Answer: Migraine headache
Rationale: The symptoms described—unilateral throbbing pain, nausea,
photophobia, and a tingling scalp—are classic for migraine headaches.
Tension headaches are bilateral and non-throbbing, cluster headaches are
severe and unilateral but typically around the eye, and sinus headaches
are associated with facial pressure.
9. A patient is started on propranolol for migraine prevention. Which
adverse effect should the nurse monitor for?
A) Tachycardia
B) Bradycardia
C) Hypotension
D) Hyperglycemia
Correct Answer: Bradycardia
Rationale: Propranolol is a beta-blocker used for migraine prophylaxis.
Beta-blockers can cause bradycardia and hypotension. The nurse should
