NU 185
MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING II
Medical-Surgical Nursing II Review 14
UPDATE
50 Multiple-Choice Questions
Complete Answers with Detailed Rationales
Aligned with Medical-Surgical Nursing Standards
Galen College | NU 185 | Medical-Surgical Nursing II
Cardiac • Respiratory • Endocrine • GI • Renal • Neurological • Perioperative
For academic study and exam review • Verify with current course materials
,NU 185 | Review 14 | 2026/2027 UPDATE
How to Use This Review
This comprehensive exam review contains high-yield multiple-choice questions covering the core clinical topics of NU 185
Medical-Surgical Nursing II. Each item is followed by the correct answer and an expanded rationale that explains the
underlying pathophysiology or nursing priority, why the correct option is preferred, and why the distractors are incorrect.
Topics span cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, gastrointestinal, renal, neurological, and perioperative care. Study tip:
Attempt each question before reading the answer. Then carefully review the detailed rationale and relate the concepts to
clinical practice.
Topic Index (Selected High-Yield Areas)
• Heart failure (left vs right), ACS, arrhythmias, hypertension management
• COPD, asthma, pneumonia, respiratory failure, ABG interpretation
• Diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders, adrenal crises and emergencies
• GI bleeding, pancreatitis, liver disease, bowel obstruction priorities
• Acute kidney injury, CKD, fluid & electrolyte imbalances
• Stroke, increased ICP, seizures, neurological assessment
• Perioperative care, post-op complications, pain management
• Infection, sepsis, shock states, and priority nursing interventions
Page 2
, NU 185 | Review 14 | 2026/2027 UPDATE
Question 1
A patient with cirrhosis presents with increased confusion and asterixis. Which lab result should the nurse prioritize?
A. Serum Potassium 3.2 mEq/L
B. Serum Ammonia 110 mcg/dL
C. Prothrombin Time 18 seconds
D. Serum Bilirubin 2.5 mg/dL
Answer: B
Rationale
Asterixis (liver flap) and confusion are hallmark signs of hepatic encephalopathy, caused by elevated ammonia levels due to
the liver’s inability to convert it to urea. Understanding this concept is essential for safe clinical decision-making. Incorrect
choices often reflect common misconceptions about pathophysiology or prioritization. Always link assessment data to the
primary disease process and anticipated complications.
Question 2
Which clinical manifestation is a late sign of tension pneumothorax?
A. Sudden sharp chest pain
B. Tracheal deviation toward the unaffected side
C. Tachycardia and tachypnea
D. Diminished breath sounds on the affected side
Answer: B
Rationale
Tracheal deviation is a late and critical sign of tension pneumothorax, indicating significant mediastinal shift and potential
cardiovascular collapse. Understanding this concept is essential for safe clinical decision-making. Incorrect choices often
reflect common misconceptions about pathophysiology or prioritization. Always link assessment data to the primary disease
process and anticipated complications.
Page 3
MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING II
Medical-Surgical Nursing II Review 14
UPDATE
50 Multiple-Choice Questions
Complete Answers with Detailed Rationales
Aligned with Medical-Surgical Nursing Standards
Galen College | NU 185 | Medical-Surgical Nursing II
Cardiac • Respiratory • Endocrine • GI • Renal • Neurological • Perioperative
For academic study and exam review • Verify with current course materials
,NU 185 | Review 14 | 2026/2027 UPDATE
How to Use This Review
This comprehensive exam review contains high-yield multiple-choice questions covering the core clinical topics of NU 185
Medical-Surgical Nursing II. Each item is followed by the correct answer and an expanded rationale that explains the
underlying pathophysiology or nursing priority, why the correct option is preferred, and why the distractors are incorrect.
Topics span cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, gastrointestinal, renal, neurological, and perioperative care. Study tip:
Attempt each question before reading the answer. Then carefully review the detailed rationale and relate the concepts to
clinical practice.
Topic Index (Selected High-Yield Areas)
• Heart failure (left vs right), ACS, arrhythmias, hypertension management
• COPD, asthma, pneumonia, respiratory failure, ABG interpretation
• Diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders, adrenal crises and emergencies
• GI bleeding, pancreatitis, liver disease, bowel obstruction priorities
• Acute kidney injury, CKD, fluid & electrolyte imbalances
• Stroke, increased ICP, seizures, neurological assessment
• Perioperative care, post-op complications, pain management
• Infection, sepsis, shock states, and priority nursing interventions
Page 2
, NU 185 | Review 14 | 2026/2027 UPDATE
Question 1
A patient with cirrhosis presents with increased confusion and asterixis. Which lab result should the nurse prioritize?
A. Serum Potassium 3.2 mEq/L
B. Serum Ammonia 110 mcg/dL
C. Prothrombin Time 18 seconds
D. Serum Bilirubin 2.5 mg/dL
Answer: B
Rationale
Asterixis (liver flap) and confusion are hallmark signs of hepatic encephalopathy, caused by elevated ammonia levels due to
the liver’s inability to convert it to urea. Understanding this concept is essential for safe clinical decision-making. Incorrect
choices often reflect common misconceptions about pathophysiology or prioritization. Always link assessment data to the
primary disease process and anticipated complications.
Question 2
Which clinical manifestation is a late sign of tension pneumothorax?
A. Sudden sharp chest pain
B. Tracheal deviation toward the unaffected side
C. Tachycardia and tachypnea
D. Diminished breath sounds on the affected side
Answer: B
Rationale
Tracheal deviation is a late and critical sign of tension pneumothorax, indicating significant mediastinal shift and potential
cardiovascular collapse. Understanding this concept is essential for safe clinical decision-making. Incorrect choices often
reflect common misconceptions about pathophysiology or prioritization. Always link assessment data to the primary disease
process and anticipated complications.
Page 3
