GALEN COLLEGE NUR 170 EXAM 2
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
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Core Domains
• Perioperative Nursing Care
• Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
• Pain Management Principles
• Integumentary System Disorders
• Musculoskeletal System Disorders
• Gastrointestinal System Disorders
• Endocrine System Disorders
• Immune System and Inflammatory Responses
• Wound Care and Pressure Injury Prevention
• Oxygenation and Respiratory Function
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is designed to evaluate the essential medical-
surgical nursing knowledge and clinical competencies required for success in
NUR 170. The assessment focuses on the care of adult patients with common
medical-surgical conditions, emphasizing evidence-based interventions,
patient safety, and clinical reasoning. Students will be expected to apply
theoretical knowledge to patient care scenarios, demonstrating proficiency in
,assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation of
care. The examination covers key concepts including perioperative care, fluid
and electrolyte management, pain management, and disorders affecting
multiple body systems. This resource serves as a definitive study tool for exam
preparation and self-assessment, ensuring readiness for the rigors of Galen
College's nursing curriculum and the NCLEX-RN licensure examination.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1 – 100
1. A patient is scheduled for surgery under general anesthesia. The
nurse understands that the primary purpose of the preoperative
assessment is to:
A. Ensure the patient has signed all consent forms
B. Identify potential risks and optimize the patient's condition for surgery
C. Provide emotional support to the patient and family
D. Confirm the surgical site and procedure
B. Identify potential risks and optimize the patient's condition for surgery
RATIONALE: The primary purpose of the preoperative assessment is to
identify potential risks, detect preexisting conditions that may affect surgical
outcomes, and optimize the patient's physiological and psychological status
before the procedure.
2. A patient is NPO (nothing by mouth) for 8 hours before surgery.
Which is the primary rationale for this preoperative requirement?
A. To prevent aspiration of gastric contents during anesthesia
B. To reduce the risk of postoperative ileus
C. To prevent dehydration during the surgical procedure
D. To ensure the patient does not experience nausea
A. To prevent aspiration of gastric contents during anesthesia
RATIONALE: The primary rationale for NPO status before surgery is to
minimize the risk of aspiration of gastric contents into the lungs during
,induction of anesthesia and the surgical procedure. Aspiration can lead to
serious respiratory complications.
3. A patient in the postoperative period is experiencing nausea and
vomiting. Which nursing intervention should the nurse implement
first?
A. Administer an antiemetic as prescribed
B. Position the patient in a side-lying position
C. Notify the healthcare provider
D. Offer the patient small sips of water
B. Position the patient in a side-lying position
RATIONALE: The priority intervention for a patient experiencing
postoperative nausea and vomiting is to position the patient in a side-lying
position to protect the airway and prevent aspiration. This is followed by
administering prescribed antiemetics.
4. A patient has a serum potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which
assessment finding is most consistent with this laboratory value?
A. Hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Muscle weakness and fatigue
C. Tented skin turgor
D. Hypertension
B. Muscle weakness and fatigue
RATIONALE: Hypokalemia (serum potassium < 3.5 mEq/L) is associated
with muscle weakness, fatigue, cramping, and cardiac arrhythmias. Bowel
sounds are typically hypoactive, and hypotension may be present.
5. A patient is experiencing acute pain following abdominal surgery.
The nurse administers morphine sulfate 4 mg IV. Which assessment
finding indicates the medication is having the desired therapeutic
effect?
A. The patient's respiratory rate decreases from 18 to 14 breaths/min
B. The patient reports a pain level decrease from 8 to 3 on a 0-10 scale
, C. The patient's blood pressure increases from 110/70 to 130/80 mmHg
D. The patient falls asleep within 30 minutes of administration
B. The patient reports a pain level decrease from 8 to 3 on a 0-10 scale
RATIONALE: The desired therapeutic effect of an opioid analgesic is a
reduction in pain intensity. A decrease in pain score indicates effective pain
management. While sedation and respiratory depression are side effects, they
are not the intended therapeutic outcomes.
6. A patient with type 2 diabetes is scheduled for surgery. The nurse
notes that the patient's fasting blood glucose is 210 mg/dL. Which
action should the nurse take?
A. Administer insulin as prescribed
B. Notify the healthcare provider of the elevated glucose level
C. Proceed with surgery as scheduled
D. Give the patient a carbohydrate-rich snack
B. Notify the healthcare provider of the elevated glucose level
RATIONALE: Elevated blood glucose levels before surgery increase the
risk of infection, delayed wound healing, and other complications. The
healthcare provider should be notified to adjust the patient's medication
regimen and optimize glycemic control before surgery.
7. A patient has a nasogastric (NG) tube connected to low intermittent
suction. The nurse should monitor the patient for which electrolyte
imbalance?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
RATIONALE: Prolonged NG suction removes gastric hydrochloric acid.
Loss of gastric acid leads to increased bicarbonate levels in the blood, causing
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
• Perioperative Nursing Care
• Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
• Pain Management Principles
• Integumentary System Disorders
• Musculoskeletal System Disorders
• Gastrointestinal System Disorders
• Endocrine System Disorders
• Immune System and Inflammatory Responses
• Wound Care and Pressure Injury Prevention
• Oxygenation and Respiratory Function
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is designed to evaluate the essential medical-
surgical nursing knowledge and clinical competencies required for success in
NUR 170. The assessment focuses on the care of adult patients with common
medical-surgical conditions, emphasizing evidence-based interventions,
patient safety, and clinical reasoning. Students will be expected to apply
theoretical knowledge to patient care scenarios, demonstrating proficiency in
,assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation of
care. The examination covers key concepts including perioperative care, fluid
and electrolyte management, pain management, and disorders affecting
multiple body systems. This resource serves as a definitive study tool for exam
preparation and self-assessment, ensuring readiness for the rigors of Galen
College's nursing curriculum and the NCLEX-RN licensure examination.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1 – 100
1. A patient is scheduled for surgery under general anesthesia. The
nurse understands that the primary purpose of the preoperative
assessment is to:
A. Ensure the patient has signed all consent forms
B. Identify potential risks and optimize the patient's condition for surgery
C. Provide emotional support to the patient and family
D. Confirm the surgical site and procedure
B. Identify potential risks and optimize the patient's condition for surgery
RATIONALE: The primary purpose of the preoperative assessment is to
identify potential risks, detect preexisting conditions that may affect surgical
outcomes, and optimize the patient's physiological and psychological status
before the procedure.
2. A patient is NPO (nothing by mouth) for 8 hours before surgery.
Which is the primary rationale for this preoperative requirement?
A. To prevent aspiration of gastric contents during anesthesia
B. To reduce the risk of postoperative ileus
C. To prevent dehydration during the surgical procedure
D. To ensure the patient does not experience nausea
A. To prevent aspiration of gastric contents during anesthesia
RATIONALE: The primary rationale for NPO status before surgery is to
minimize the risk of aspiration of gastric contents into the lungs during
,induction of anesthesia and the surgical procedure. Aspiration can lead to
serious respiratory complications.
3. A patient in the postoperative period is experiencing nausea and
vomiting. Which nursing intervention should the nurse implement
first?
A. Administer an antiemetic as prescribed
B. Position the patient in a side-lying position
C. Notify the healthcare provider
D. Offer the patient small sips of water
B. Position the patient in a side-lying position
RATIONALE: The priority intervention for a patient experiencing
postoperative nausea and vomiting is to position the patient in a side-lying
position to protect the airway and prevent aspiration. This is followed by
administering prescribed antiemetics.
4. A patient has a serum potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which
assessment finding is most consistent with this laboratory value?
A. Hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Muscle weakness and fatigue
C. Tented skin turgor
D. Hypertension
B. Muscle weakness and fatigue
RATIONALE: Hypokalemia (serum potassium < 3.5 mEq/L) is associated
with muscle weakness, fatigue, cramping, and cardiac arrhythmias. Bowel
sounds are typically hypoactive, and hypotension may be present.
5. A patient is experiencing acute pain following abdominal surgery.
The nurse administers morphine sulfate 4 mg IV. Which assessment
finding indicates the medication is having the desired therapeutic
effect?
A. The patient's respiratory rate decreases from 18 to 14 breaths/min
B. The patient reports a pain level decrease from 8 to 3 on a 0-10 scale
, C. The patient's blood pressure increases from 110/70 to 130/80 mmHg
D. The patient falls asleep within 30 minutes of administration
B. The patient reports a pain level decrease from 8 to 3 on a 0-10 scale
RATIONALE: The desired therapeutic effect of an opioid analgesic is a
reduction in pain intensity. A decrease in pain score indicates effective pain
management. While sedation and respiratory depression are side effects, they
are not the intended therapeutic outcomes.
6. A patient with type 2 diabetes is scheduled for surgery. The nurse
notes that the patient's fasting blood glucose is 210 mg/dL. Which
action should the nurse take?
A. Administer insulin as prescribed
B. Notify the healthcare provider of the elevated glucose level
C. Proceed with surgery as scheduled
D. Give the patient a carbohydrate-rich snack
B. Notify the healthcare provider of the elevated glucose level
RATIONALE: Elevated blood glucose levels before surgery increase the
risk of infection, delayed wound healing, and other complications. The
healthcare provider should be notified to adjust the patient's medication
regimen and optimize glycemic control before surgery.
7. A patient has a nasogastric (NG) tube connected to low intermittent
suction. The nurse should monitor the patient for which electrolyte
imbalance?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
RATIONALE: Prolonged NG suction removes gastric hydrochloric acid.
Loss of gastric acid leads to increased bicarbonate levels in the blood, causing
