NUR 265 Med-Surg Final Exam - Galen College Prep … 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 265 Med-Surg Final Exam - Galen College Prep 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
,NUR 265 Med-Surg Final Exam - Galen College Prep … 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient arrives in the ER with partial-thickness burns to the entire front of the torso and
the entire left arm. Using the Rule of Nines, what is the calculated Total Body Surface Area
(TBSA) affected?
A. affected?
B. 18%
C. 36%
D. 45%
Answer: A
Rationale: According to the Rule of Nines, the entire front of the torso is 18% and the entire arm is 9%.
18% + 9% = 27%. In practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and protect the client from harm.
Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent priorities. This knowledge supports safe care
and helps the nurse teach the client and family clearly and simply. Clear teaching improves
cooperation and reduces anxiety.
2. A patient with a T4 spinal cord injury reports a sudden, throbbing headache and has a
blood pressure of 190/110 mmHg. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer PRN antihypertensive medication.
B. Place the patient in a sitting position (High-Fowler’s).
C. Perform a digital rectal exam to check for impaction.
D. Assess the urinary catheter for kinks or obstruction.
Answer: B
Rationale: Autonomic Dysreflexia is a medical emergency. The first action is to elevate the head of the
bed to 90 degrees to help lower blood pressure via orthostatic effect before identifying the noxious
stimulus. In practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and protect the client from harm. Safety,
nutrition, and clear communication are frequent priorities. 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
, NUR 265 Med-Surg Final Exam - Galen College Prep … 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. Which hemodynamic parameter is most characteristic of Septic Shock in its early
(hyperdynamic) phase?
A. Decreased Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)
B. Increased Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)
C. Decreased Cardiac Output (CO)
D. Increased Central Venous Pressure (CVP)
Answer: A
Rationale: In early septic shock, massive vasodilation occurs due to inflammatory mediators, leading
to significantly decreased SVR and increased cardiac output (warm shock). 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.
4. The nurse notes a high-pressure alarm sounding on the mechanical ventilator of a patient
with ARDS. Which condition is a likely cause?
A. Disconnection of the ventilator tubing
B. Patient biting the endotracheal tube
C. A leak in the endotracheal tube cuff
D. Extubation of the patient
Answer: B
Rationale: High-pressure alarms are triggered by increased resistance to airflow, such as biting the
tube, secretions, kinks, or decreased lung compliance. Leaks and disconnections trigger low-pressure
alarms. 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.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 265 Med-Surg Final Exam - Galen College Prep 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
,NUR 265 Med-Surg Final Exam - Galen College Prep … 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient arrives in the ER with partial-thickness burns to the entire front of the torso and
the entire left arm. Using the Rule of Nines, what is the calculated Total Body Surface Area
(TBSA) affected?
A. affected?
B. 18%
C. 36%
D. 45%
Answer: A
Rationale: According to the Rule of Nines, the entire front of the torso is 18% and the entire arm is 9%.
18% + 9% = 27%. In practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and protect the client from harm.
Safety, nutrition, and clear communication are frequent priorities. This knowledge supports safe care
and helps the nurse teach the client and family clearly and simply. Clear teaching improves
cooperation and reduces anxiety.
2. A patient with a T4 spinal cord injury reports a sudden, throbbing headache and has a
blood pressure of 190/110 mmHg. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer PRN antihypertensive medication.
B. Place the patient in a sitting position (High-Fowler’s).
C. Perform a digital rectal exam to check for impaction.
D. Assess the urinary catheter for kinks or obstruction.
Answer: B
Rationale: Autonomic Dysreflexia is a medical emergency. The first action is to elevate the head of the
bed to 90 degrees to help lower blood pressure via orthostatic effect before identifying the noxious
stimulus. In practice, this guides the nurse to set priorities and protect the client from harm. Safety,
nutrition, and clear communication are frequent priorities. 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
, NUR 265 Med-Surg Final Exam - Galen College Prep … 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. Which hemodynamic parameter is most characteristic of Septic Shock in its early
(hyperdynamic) phase?
A. Decreased Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)
B. Increased Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)
C. Decreased Cardiac Output (CO)
D. Increased Central Venous Pressure (CVP)
Answer: A
Rationale: In early septic shock, massive vasodilation occurs due to inflammatory mediators, leading
to significantly decreased SVR and increased cardiac output (warm shock). 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.
4. The nurse notes a high-pressure alarm sounding on the mechanical ventilator of a patient
with ARDS. Which condition is a likely cause?
A. Disconnection of the ventilator tubing
B. Patient biting the endotracheal tube
C. A leak in the endotracheal tube cuff
D. Extubation of the patient
Answer: B
Rationale: High-pressure alarms are triggered by increased resistance to airflow, such as biting the
tube, secretions, kinks, or decreased lung compliance. Leaks and disconnections trigger low-pressure
alarms. 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.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
