,NU 155 EXAM 2 Medical-Surgical Nursing I Questions And Answers
2026/2027 Galen College
Q1. Which hormone has the primary effect of lowering blood
glucose?
A) Glucagon
B) Cortisol
C) Insulin
D) Epinephrine
Correct Answer: C) Insulin
Rationale: Insulin promotes movement of glucose from the bloodstream
into cells and supports glucose storage, thereby lowering blood glucose.
Q2. Which finding is most consistent with hypoglycemia?
A) Sweating and tremors
B) Warm dry skin and deep respirations
C) Polyuria and polydipsia
D) Fruity breath
Correct Answer: A) Sweating and tremors
Rationale: Hypoglycemia activates the sympathetic nervous system,
producing manifestations such as sweating, tremors, palpitations, hunger,
and anxiety.
Q3. A conscious patient with diabetes has a blood glucose level of
54 mg/dL and can swallow safely. What is the priority intervention?
A) Administer prescribed long-acting insulin
B) Give a fast-acting carbohydrate
C) Encourage the patient to exercise
D) Restrict oral intake
Correct Answer: B) Give a fast-acting carbohydrate
Rationale: A conscious patient who can safely swallow should receive a
rapidly absorbed carbohydrate to raise blood glucose promptly.
Q4. Which finding is most characteristic of hyperglycemia?
A) Tremors and diaphoresis
B) Polyuria and polydipsia
, C) Sudden hunger with confusion
D) Cool clammy skin
Correct Answer: B) Polyuria and polydipsia
Rationale: High blood glucose causes osmotic diuresis, leading to increased
urine production and compensatory thirst.
Q5. Which laboratory test reflects average blood-glucose control
over approximately the previous 2–3 months?
A) Serum glucose
B) Hemoglobin A1C
C) Serum potassium
D) C-peptide only
Correct Answer: B) Hemoglobin A1C
Rationale: Hemoglobin A1C reflects the amount of glucose attached to
hemoglobin over the life span of circulating red blood cells and provides an
estimate of long-term glycemic control.
Q6. Which patient is at greatest risk for hypoglycemia?
A) A patient who takes insulin and skips a meal
B) A patient with stable food intake
C) A patient taking no glucose-lowering medication
D) A patient with normal blood glucose
Correct Answer: A) A patient who takes insulin and skips a meal
Rationale: Insulin continues to lower blood glucose even when food is not
consumed, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia.
Q7. Which insulin is classified as rapid acting?
A) NPH
B) Regular
C) Lispro
D) Glargine
Correct Answer: C) Lispro
Rationale: Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin used to provide mealtime or
correction coverage.
Q8. Which insulin is classified as intermediate acting?
2026/2027 Galen College
Q1. Which hormone has the primary effect of lowering blood
glucose?
A) Glucagon
B) Cortisol
C) Insulin
D) Epinephrine
Correct Answer: C) Insulin
Rationale: Insulin promotes movement of glucose from the bloodstream
into cells and supports glucose storage, thereby lowering blood glucose.
Q2. Which finding is most consistent with hypoglycemia?
A) Sweating and tremors
B) Warm dry skin and deep respirations
C) Polyuria and polydipsia
D) Fruity breath
Correct Answer: A) Sweating and tremors
Rationale: Hypoglycemia activates the sympathetic nervous system,
producing manifestations such as sweating, tremors, palpitations, hunger,
and anxiety.
Q3. A conscious patient with diabetes has a blood glucose level of
54 mg/dL and can swallow safely. What is the priority intervention?
A) Administer prescribed long-acting insulin
B) Give a fast-acting carbohydrate
C) Encourage the patient to exercise
D) Restrict oral intake
Correct Answer: B) Give a fast-acting carbohydrate
Rationale: A conscious patient who can safely swallow should receive a
rapidly absorbed carbohydrate to raise blood glucose promptly.
Q4. Which finding is most characteristic of hyperglycemia?
A) Tremors and diaphoresis
B) Polyuria and polydipsia
, C) Sudden hunger with confusion
D) Cool clammy skin
Correct Answer: B) Polyuria and polydipsia
Rationale: High blood glucose causes osmotic diuresis, leading to increased
urine production and compensatory thirst.
Q5. Which laboratory test reflects average blood-glucose control
over approximately the previous 2–3 months?
A) Serum glucose
B) Hemoglobin A1C
C) Serum potassium
D) C-peptide only
Correct Answer: B) Hemoglobin A1C
Rationale: Hemoglobin A1C reflects the amount of glucose attached to
hemoglobin over the life span of circulating red blood cells and provides an
estimate of long-term glycemic control.
Q6. Which patient is at greatest risk for hypoglycemia?
A) A patient who takes insulin and skips a meal
B) A patient with stable food intake
C) A patient taking no glucose-lowering medication
D) A patient with normal blood glucose
Correct Answer: A) A patient who takes insulin and skips a meal
Rationale: Insulin continues to lower blood glucose even when food is not
consumed, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia.
Q7. Which insulin is classified as rapid acting?
A) NPH
B) Regular
C) Lispro
D) Glargine
Correct Answer: C) Lispro
Rationale: Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin used to provide mealtime or
correction coverage.
Q8. Which insulin is classified as intermediate acting?
