NU 185 Medical-Surgical Nursing II Exam 1 Prepara… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NU 185 Medical-Surgical Nursing II Exam 1 Preparation
2026/2027 UPDATE Galen
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 Medical-Surgical Nursing II Exam 1 Prepara… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient is diagnosed with a T2, N1, M0 tumor of the breast. The nurse understands this
staging indicates which of the following?
A. The tumor is small, with no lymph node involvement or metastasis.
B. The tumor is large, involves multiple distant lymph nodes, and has metastasized.
C. The tumor is medium-sized, has spread to local lymph nodes, but has not metastasized.
D. The tumor is in situ, meaning it is localized and has not invaded the basement membrane.
Answer: C
Rationale: In TNM staging, T2 refers to tumor size/extent, N1 indicates involvement of regional lymph
nodes, and M0 indicates no distant metastasis. This knowledge supports safe care and helps the
nurse teach the client and family clearly and simply. Clear teaching improves cooperation and reduces
anxiety. 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.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who has a neutrophil
count of 400/mm3. Which intervention is most critical?
A. Administering a stool softener to prevent straining.
B. Placing the patient in a private room and enforcing strict handwashing.
C. Ensuring the patient uses a soft-bristled toothbrush.
D. Monitoring for signs of a transfusion reaction during platelet administration.
Answer: B
Rationale: A neutrophil count below 500/mm3 indicates severe neutropenia, putting the patient at high
risk for life-threatening infection, necessitating protective isolation (neutropenic precautions).
Understanding this helps the nurse notice early warning signs and act before the problem gets worse.
Early action often prevents bigger complications for the client. 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 2
, NU 185 Medical-Surgical Nursing II Exam 1 Prepara… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) result would the nurse expect to see in a patient with a
long history of COPD who is currently in respiratory failure?
A. pH 7.50, PaCO2 30, HCO3 24
B. pH 7.25, PaCO2 40, HCO3 18
C. pH 7.32, PaCO2 55, HCO3 28
D. pH 7.48, PaCO2 45, HCO3 32
Answer: C
Rationale: COPD patients often retain CO2, leading to respiratory acidosis (low pH, high PaCO2). The
elevated HCO3 (28) indicates partial renal compensation. 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. 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.
4. A patient with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L is admitted. Which ECG change is the nurse
most likely to observe?
A. Prominent U waves
B. Tall, peaked T waves
C. ST-segment depression
D. Prolonged QT interval
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0) causes characteristic ECG changes, most notably tall, peaked T
waves, which can progress to widened QRS and cardiac arrest. 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. 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.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NU 185 Medical-Surgical Nursing II Exam 1 Preparation
2026/2027 UPDATE Galen
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 Medical-Surgical Nursing II Exam 1 Prepara… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient is diagnosed with a T2, N1, M0 tumor of the breast. The nurse understands this
staging indicates which of the following?
A. The tumor is small, with no lymph node involvement or metastasis.
B. The tumor is large, involves multiple distant lymph nodes, and has metastasized.
C. The tumor is medium-sized, has spread to local lymph nodes, but has not metastasized.
D. The tumor is in situ, meaning it is localized and has not invaded the basement membrane.
Answer: C
Rationale: In TNM staging, T2 refers to tumor size/extent, N1 indicates involvement of regional lymph
nodes, and M0 indicates no distant metastasis. This knowledge supports safe care and helps the
nurse teach the client and family clearly and simply. Clear teaching improves cooperation and reduces
anxiety. 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.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who has a neutrophil
count of 400/mm3. Which intervention is most critical?
A. Administering a stool softener to prevent straining.
B. Placing the patient in a private room and enforcing strict handwashing.
C. Ensuring the patient uses a soft-bristled toothbrush.
D. Monitoring for signs of a transfusion reaction during platelet administration.
Answer: B
Rationale: A neutrophil count below 500/mm3 indicates severe neutropenia, putting the patient at high
risk for life-threatening infection, necessitating protective isolation (neutropenic precautions).
Understanding this helps the nurse notice early warning signs and act before the problem gets worse.
Early action often prevents bigger complications for the client. 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 2
, NU 185 Medical-Surgical Nursing II Exam 1 Prepara… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) result would the nurse expect to see in a patient with a
long history of COPD who is currently in respiratory failure?
A. pH 7.50, PaCO2 30, HCO3 24
B. pH 7.25, PaCO2 40, HCO3 18
C. pH 7.32, PaCO2 55, HCO3 28
D. pH 7.48, PaCO2 45, HCO3 32
Answer: C
Rationale: COPD patients often retain CO2, leading to respiratory acidosis (low pH, high PaCO2). The
elevated HCO3 (28) indicates partial renal compensation. 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. 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.
4. A patient with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L is admitted. Which ECG change is the nurse
most likely to observe?
A. Prominent U waves
B. Tall, peaked T waves
C. ST-segment depression
D. Prolonged QT interval
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0) causes characteristic ECG changes, most notably tall, peaked T
waves, which can progress to widened QRS and cardiac arrest. 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. 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.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
