NU 185 Med-Surg II Comprehensive Exam Prep 2026/2… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NU 185 Med-Surg II Comprehensive 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 Med-Surg II Comprehensive Exam Prep 2026/2… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient with heart failure has an ejection fraction of 25%. Which clinical manifestation
should the nurse prioritize during assessment?
A. Peripheral edema and weight gain
B. Hepatic engorgement
C. Jugular venous distension
D. Crackles in the lungs and dyspnea
Answer: D
Rationale: An ejection fraction of 25% indicates severe left-sided heart failure. Left-sided failure leads
to pulmonary congestion, manifesting as crackles and dyspnea, which are higher priority due to airway
and breathing concerns than systemic symptoms like peripheral edema. 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. 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.
2. The nurse is caring for a patient in the oliguric phase of acute kidney injury (AKI). Which
electrolyte imbalance is most likely to occur?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypophosphatemia
Answer: B
Rationale: During the oliguric phase of AKI, the kidneys are unable to excrete potassium, leading to
hyperkalemia, which is a potentially life-threatening complication due to its effect on cardiac rhythm. In
practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and protect the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and
clear communication are frequent priorities. In practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and
protect the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent priorities.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, NU 185 Med-Surg II Comprehensive Exam Prep 2026/2… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A patient presents with a blood pH of 7.30, PaCO2 of 52 mmHg, and HCO3 of 24 mEq/L.
How should the nurse interpret these arterial blood gas (ABG) results?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Acidosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg indicates a respiratory
cause. Since the HCO3 is within the normal range, this is uncompensated respiratory acidosis. 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. Knowing the reason behind the correct
answer makes it easier to rule out the wrong options quickly. Look for the choice that protects the client
and matches the priority need.
4. Which intervention is most critical for a patient diagnosed with Autonomic Dysreflexia?
A. Assessing the patient for bladder distension
B. Placing the patient in a supine position
C. Administering a bolus of intravenous fluids
D. Applying sequential compression devices
Answer: A
Rationale: Autonomic Dysreflexia is a medical emergency often caused by a noxious stimulus like a
distended bladder. The priority is to sit the patient up (to lower BP) and remove the stimulus. In
practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and protect the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and
clear communication are frequent priorities. In practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and
protect the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent priorities.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NU 185 Med-Surg II Comprehensive 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 Med-Surg II Comprehensive Exam Prep 2026/2… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient with heart failure has an ejection fraction of 25%. Which clinical manifestation
should the nurse prioritize during assessment?
A. Peripheral edema and weight gain
B. Hepatic engorgement
C. Jugular venous distension
D. Crackles in the lungs and dyspnea
Answer: D
Rationale: An ejection fraction of 25% indicates severe left-sided heart failure. Left-sided failure leads
to pulmonary congestion, manifesting as crackles and dyspnea, which are higher priority due to airway
and breathing concerns than systemic symptoms like peripheral edema. 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. 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.
2. The nurse is caring for a patient in the oliguric phase of acute kidney injury (AKI). Which
electrolyte imbalance is most likely to occur?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypophosphatemia
Answer: B
Rationale: During the oliguric phase of AKI, the kidneys are unable to excrete potassium, leading to
hyperkalemia, which is a potentially life-threatening complication due to its effect on cardiac rhythm. In
practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and protect the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and
clear communication are frequent priorities. In practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and
protect the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent priorities.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, NU 185 Med-Surg II Comprehensive Exam Prep 2026/2… 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A patient presents with a blood pH of 7.30, PaCO2 of 52 mmHg, and HCO3 of 24 mEq/L.
How should the nurse interpret these arterial blood gas (ABG) results?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Acidosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg indicates a respiratory
cause. Since the HCO3 is within the normal range, this is uncompensated respiratory acidosis. 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. Knowing the reason behind the correct
answer makes it easier to rule out the wrong options quickly. Look for the choice that protects the client
and matches the priority need.
4. Which intervention is most critical for a patient diagnosed with Autonomic Dysreflexia?
A. Assessing the patient for bladder distension
B. Placing the patient in a supine position
C. Administering a bolus of intravenous fluids
D. Applying sequential compression devices
Answer: A
Rationale: Autonomic Dysreflexia is a medical emergency often caused by a noxious stimulus like a
distended bladder. The priority is to sit the patient up (to lower BP) and remove the stimulus. In
practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and protect the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and
clear communication are frequent priorities. In practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and
protect the client from harm. Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent priorities.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
