NU 185
MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING II
Exam 3 Comprehensive Review
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 | Exam 3 Review | 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 | Exam 3 Review | 2026/2027 UPDATE
Question 1
A patient presents with sudden shortness of breath and pleuritic chest pain. The nurse notes a heart rate of 110 bpm
and an oxygen saturation of 88%. Which diagnostic test is the gold standard for confirming a Pulmonary Embolism
(PE)?
A. Chest X-ray
B. Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA)
C. D-dimer assay
D. Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)
Answer: B
Rationale
CTPA is the definitive gold standard for diagnosing a pulmonary embolism because it provides direct visualization of the
thrombus in the pulmonary vasculature. 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
When assessing a patient with Right-sided Heart Failure, which clinical manifestation should the nurse expect to find?
A. Pulmonary crackles and orthopnea
B. Pink, frothy sputum
C. Jugular venous distention and peripheral edema
D. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
Answer: C
Rationale
Right-sided heart failure causes systemic venous congestion, leading to JVD, hepatomegaly, and peripheral edema, whereas
pulmonary symptoms are associated with left-sided failure. 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
Exam 3 Comprehensive Review
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 | Exam 3 Review | 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 | Exam 3 Review | 2026/2027 UPDATE
Question 1
A patient presents with sudden shortness of breath and pleuritic chest pain. The nurse notes a heart rate of 110 bpm
and an oxygen saturation of 88%. Which diagnostic test is the gold standard for confirming a Pulmonary Embolism
(PE)?
A. Chest X-ray
B. Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA)
C. D-dimer assay
D. Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)
Answer: B
Rationale
CTPA is the definitive gold standard for diagnosing a pulmonary embolism because it provides direct visualization of the
thrombus in the pulmonary vasculature. 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
When assessing a patient with Right-sided Heart Failure, which clinical manifestation should the nurse expect to find?
A. Pulmonary crackles and orthopnea
B. Pink, frothy sputum
C. Jugular venous distention and peripheral edema
D. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
Answer: C
Rationale
Right-sided heart failure causes systemic venous congestion, leading to JVD, hepatomegaly, and peripheral edema, whereas
pulmonary symptoms are associated with left-sided failure. 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
