NU 185
MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING II
Medical-Surgical Nursing II Review 29
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 29 | 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 29 | 2026/2027 UPDATE
Question 1
A patient is admitted with a suspected Myocardial Infarction (MI). Which cardiac biomarker is most specific for
diagnosing myocardial injury?
A. Myoglobin
B. CK-MB
C. Troponin I
D. C-Reactive Protein
Answer: C
Rationale
Troponin I is highly specific to cardiac muscle and remains elevated for up to two weeks, making it the gold standard for MI
diagnosis. 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
A patient’s ABG results are pH 7.32, PaCO2 50, and HCO3 24. How should the nurse interpret these findings?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale
A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and a PaCO2 above 45 indicates a respiratory cause. The normal HCO3 suggests no
compensation is yet occurring. 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 29
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 29 | 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 29 | 2026/2027 UPDATE
Question 1
A patient is admitted with a suspected Myocardial Infarction (MI). Which cardiac biomarker is most specific for
diagnosing myocardial injury?
A. Myoglobin
B. CK-MB
C. Troponin I
D. C-Reactive Protein
Answer: C
Rationale
Troponin I is highly specific to cardiac muscle and remains elevated for up to two weeks, making it the gold standard for MI
diagnosis. 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
A patient’s ABG results are pH 7.32, PaCO2 50, and HCO3 24. How should the nurse interpret these findings?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale
A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and a PaCO2 above 45 indicates a respiratory cause. The normal HCO3 suggests no
compensation is yet occurring. 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
