NU 185 Medical-Surgical Nursing II Exam 3 Practic… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NU 185 Medical-Surgical Nursing II Exam 3 Practice Quiz
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 Medical-Surgical Nursing II Exam 3 Practic… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A client with a spinal cord injury at T4 reports a sudden, severe headache and is found to
have a blood pressure of 190/110 mmHg. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer an antihypertensive medication as ordered.
B. Place the client in a supine position immediately.
C. Check the client’s urinary catheter for kinks or obstruction.
D. Perform a neurological assessment using the Glasgow Coma Scale.
Answer: C
Rationale: These are classic signs of autonomic dysreflexia. The priority is to identify and remove the
stimulus, most commonly a full bladder or impacted bowel. The patient should also be sat upright to
help lower BP. This knowledge supports safe care and helps the nurse teach the client and family
clearly and simply. Clear teaching improves cooperation and reduces anxiety. 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.
2. Which laboratory finding is most indicative of the transition from the oliguric phase to the
diuretic phase in Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)?
A. Stabilization of serum creatinine levels
B. Decrease in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels
C. A sudden increase in urine output to 1–3 liters per day
D. Normalization of serum potassium levels
Answer: C
Rationale: The diuretic phase of AKI is characterized by a gradual or sudden increase in daily urine
output, indicating that nephrons are recovering though they still cannot concentrate urine well. 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. 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.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, NU 185 Medical-Surgical Nursing II Exam 3 Practic… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A patient with cirrhosis has developed hepatic encephalopathy. The nurse notes the
patient has flapping tremors of the hands. How should the nurse document this finding?
A. Ataxia
B. Asterixis
C. Aphasia
D. Apraxia
Answer: B
Rationale: Asterixis, also known as ‘liver flap,’ is a characteristic tremor associated with hepatic
encephalopathy caused by high ammonia levels. 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 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.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient in Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). Which IV fluid order should
the nurse expect once the blood glucose reaches 250 mg/dL?
A. . Which IV fluid order should the nurse expect once the blood glucose reaches 250 mg/dL?
B. 3% Hypertonic Saline
C. 0.45% Sodium Chloride
D. Lactated Ringer’s solution
Answer: A
Rationale: When glucose levels drop to 250 mg/dL in DKA, dextrose is added to the IV fluids to
prevent hypoglycemia and cerebral edema while the insulin infusion continues to clear ketones. 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. 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.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NU 185 Medical-Surgical Nursing II Exam 3 Practice Quiz
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 Medical-Surgical Nursing II Exam 3 Practic… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A client with a spinal cord injury at T4 reports a sudden, severe headache and is found to
have a blood pressure of 190/110 mmHg. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer an antihypertensive medication as ordered.
B. Place the client in a supine position immediately.
C. Check the client’s urinary catheter for kinks or obstruction.
D. Perform a neurological assessment using the Glasgow Coma Scale.
Answer: C
Rationale: These are classic signs of autonomic dysreflexia. The priority is to identify and remove the
stimulus, most commonly a full bladder or impacted bowel. The patient should also be sat upright to
help lower BP. This knowledge supports safe care and helps the nurse teach the client and family
clearly and simply. Clear teaching improves cooperation and reduces anxiety. 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.
2. Which laboratory finding is most indicative of the transition from the oliguric phase to the
diuretic phase in Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)?
A. Stabilization of serum creatinine levels
B. Decrease in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels
C. A sudden increase in urine output to 1–3 liters per day
D. Normalization of serum potassium levels
Answer: C
Rationale: The diuretic phase of AKI is characterized by a gradual or sudden increase in daily urine
output, indicating that nephrons are recovering though they still cannot concentrate urine well. 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. 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.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, NU 185 Medical-Surgical Nursing II Exam 3 Practic… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A patient with cirrhosis has developed hepatic encephalopathy. The nurse notes the
patient has flapping tremors of the hands. How should the nurse document this finding?
A. Ataxia
B. Asterixis
C. Aphasia
D. Apraxia
Answer: B
Rationale: Asterixis, also known as ‘liver flap,’ is a characteristic tremor associated with hepatic
encephalopathy caused by high ammonia levels. 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 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.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient in Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). Which IV fluid order should
the nurse expect once the blood glucose reaches 250 mg/dL?
A. . Which IV fluid order should the nurse expect once the blood glucose reaches 250 mg/dL?
B. 3% Hypertonic Saline
C. 0.45% Sodium Chloride
D. Lactated Ringer’s solution
Answer: A
Rationale: When glucose levels drop to 250 mg/dL in DKA, dextrose is added to the IV fluids to
prevent hypoglycemia and cerebral edema while the insulin infusion continues to clear ketones. 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. 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.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
