NU 185 Galen Med-Surg II Exam Prep 2026/2027 UPDA… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NU 185 Galen Med-Surg II Exam Prep 2026/2027 UPDATE
|Galen College
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
with Clear, Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations) / Study Guide
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Rationales
Grade: A+ Assured
ASSURED GRADE A+
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 1
,NU 185 Galen Med-Surg II Exam Prep 2026/2027 UPDA… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient presents with a pH of 7.25, PaCO2 of 55 mmHg, and HCO3 of 26 mEq/L. Which
condition does this reflect?
A. Respiratory Alkalosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Metabolic Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg indicates a respiratory
cause, and since the HCO3 is normal, it is uncompensated respiratory acidosis. This knowledge
supports safe care and helps the nurse teach the client and family clearly and simply. Clear teaching
improves cooperation and reduces anxiety. Exam questions often test whether you can pick the most
practical and safe choice for the client in real situations. Focus on what the nurse can actually do right
now.
2. Which assessment finding in a patient with an arteriovenous (AV) fistula for hemodialysis
requires immediate notification to the provider?
A. Presence of a thrill upon palpation
B. A blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg in the opposite arm
C. Absence of a bruit upon auscultation
D. Small amount of bruising at the needle site
Answer: C
Rationale: The absence of a bruit or thrill indicates potential thrombosis or occlusion of the fistula,
which is a medical emergency for dialysis access. Remembering this point will help you decide the
best nursing action when similar questions appear on the exam. Link the answer to the client’s current
condition and risk level. Clear understanding of this concept improves both test performance and
everyday clinical judgment. Practice applying it to short case scenarios to lock the idea in place.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, NU 185 Galen Med-Surg II Exam Prep 2026/2027 UPDA… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A patient in the ICU has a sustained intracranial pressure (ICP) of 22 mmHg. Which
nursing intervention is the priority?
A. Perform vigorous suctioning to clear the airway
B. Elevate the head of the bed to 30 degrees
C. Cluster nursing care to promote rest
D. Encourage the patient to perform the Valsalva maneuver
Answer: B
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed to 30-45 degrees promotes venous drainage and helps lower
ICP. Suctioning and Valsalva increase ICP, and clustering care may overstimulate the patient, further
raising ICP. Clear understanding of this concept improves both test performance and everyday clinical
judgment. Practice applying it to short case scenarios to lock the idea in place. In practice, this guides
the nurse to set priorities and protect the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication
are frequent priorities.
4. A patient with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is on a ventilator. The nurse
notes the high-pressure alarm is sounding. What is the most likely cause?
A. A leak in the ventilator circuit
B. The patient has become disconnected from the ventilator
C. Accumulation of secretions in the endotracheal tube
D. Deflation of the endotracheal tube cuff
Answer: C
Rationale: High-pressure alarms are triggered by increased resistance, such as secretions, biting the
tube, or kinks. Low-pressure alarms are triggered by leaks or disconnections. Remembering this point
will help you decide the best nursing action when similar questions appear on the exam. Link the
answer to the client’s current condition and risk level. This is important because the nurse must choose
the action that keeps the client safest while still meeting their basic needs. Always think about safety
first when answering these questions.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NU 185 Galen Med-Surg II Exam Prep 2026/2027 UPDATE
|Galen College
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
with Clear, Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations) / Study Guide
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Rationales
Grade: A+ Assured
ASSURED GRADE A+
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 1
,NU 185 Galen Med-Surg II Exam Prep 2026/2027 UPDA… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient presents with a pH of 7.25, PaCO2 of 55 mmHg, and HCO3 of 26 mEq/L. Which
condition does this reflect?
A. Respiratory Alkalosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Metabolic Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg indicates a respiratory
cause, and since the HCO3 is normal, it is uncompensated respiratory acidosis. This knowledge
supports safe care and helps the nurse teach the client and family clearly and simply. Clear teaching
improves cooperation and reduces anxiety. Exam questions often test whether you can pick the most
practical and safe choice for the client in real situations. Focus on what the nurse can actually do right
now.
2. Which assessment finding in a patient with an arteriovenous (AV) fistula for hemodialysis
requires immediate notification to the provider?
A. Presence of a thrill upon palpation
B. A blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg in the opposite arm
C. Absence of a bruit upon auscultation
D. Small amount of bruising at the needle site
Answer: C
Rationale: The absence of a bruit or thrill indicates potential thrombosis or occlusion of the fistula,
which is a medical emergency for dialysis access. Remembering this point will help you decide the
best nursing action when similar questions appear on the exam. Link the answer to the client’s current
condition and risk level. Clear understanding of this concept improves both test performance and
everyday clinical judgment. Practice applying it to short case scenarios to lock the idea in place.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, NU 185 Galen Med-Surg II Exam Prep 2026/2027 UPDA… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A patient in the ICU has a sustained intracranial pressure (ICP) of 22 mmHg. Which
nursing intervention is the priority?
A. Perform vigorous suctioning to clear the airway
B. Elevate the head of the bed to 30 degrees
C. Cluster nursing care to promote rest
D. Encourage the patient to perform the Valsalva maneuver
Answer: B
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed to 30-45 degrees promotes venous drainage and helps lower
ICP. Suctioning and Valsalva increase ICP, and clustering care may overstimulate the patient, further
raising ICP. Clear understanding of this concept improves both test performance and everyday clinical
judgment. Practice applying it to short case scenarios to lock the idea in place. In practice, this guides
the nurse to set priorities and protect the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication
are frequent priorities.
4. A patient with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is on a ventilator. The nurse
notes the high-pressure alarm is sounding. What is the most likely cause?
A. A leak in the ventilator circuit
B. The patient has become disconnected from the ventilator
C. Accumulation of secretions in the endotracheal tube
D. Deflation of the endotracheal tube cuff
Answer: C
Rationale: High-pressure alarms are triggered by increased resistance, such as secretions, biting the
tube, or kinks. Low-pressure alarms are triggered by leaks or disconnections. Remembering this point
will help you decide the best nursing action when similar questions appear on the exam. Link the
answer to the client’s current condition and risk level. This is important because the nurse must choose
the action that keeps the client safest while still meeting their basic needs. Always think about safety
first when answering these questions.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
