Medical-Surgical Nursing
II (NU 185) Exam 3 - Advanced Study Set
Exam 3 • Practice Questions & Rationales
UPDATE
Actual Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Clinical Rationales
Practice Questions with Rationales
Galen College of Nursing
Medical-Surgical Nursing
✓ 100% Verified Answers
✓ Complete Rationales Included
Exam (elaborations)
Instant PDF Download • Ready for Study
,Medical-Surgical Nursing II (NU 185) Exam 3 - Advanced Study Set 2026/2027 UPDATED –
Galen
1. A nurse is caring for a patient in the ICU who is post-thyroidectomy. The patient suddenly
develops a temperature of 103.2 F, tachycardia (140 bpm), and extreme agitation. Which
complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Hypocalcemic tetany
B. Myxedema Coma
C. Thyroid Storm
D. Laryngeal nerve damage
Answer: C
Rationale: Thyroid storm is a life-threatening emergency characterized by extreme
hypermetabolism, fever, tachycardia, and altered mental status. Hypocalcemia involves
tremors and spasms, not high fever.
2. When managing a patient with Diabetes Insipidus (DI), which laboratory finding is most
consistent with the diagnosis?
A. Urine specific gravity of 1.035
B. Serum sodium of 128 mEq/L
C. Serum osmolality of 310 mOsm/kg
, D. Low serum potassium
Answer: C
Rationale: In DI, the lack of ADH leads to excessive water loss in urine, resulting in
hemoconcentration and high serum osmolality (typically >295 mOsm/kg).
3. A patient with Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH) is admitted.
Which physician order should the nurse question?
A. 3% Sodium Chloride infusion at 50 mL/hr
B. Dextrose 5% in Water (D5W) at 125 mL/hr
C. Fluid restriction of 800 mL per day
D. Frequent neurological checks
Answer: B
Rationale: D5W is hypotonic once glucose is metabolized, which would worsen the
hyponatremia and cerebral edema in a patient with SIADH.
4. A patient is diagnosed with Pheochromocytoma. Which assessment is the priority for this
patient?
A. Monitoring for hypoglycemia
B. Assessing for abdominal masses via deep palpation
C. Checking for signs of hypocalcemia
D. Measuring blood pressure and heart rate frequently
II (NU 185) Exam 3 - Advanced Study Set
Exam 3 • Practice Questions & Rationales
UPDATE
Actual Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Clinical Rationales
Practice Questions with Rationales
Galen College of Nursing
Medical-Surgical Nursing
✓ 100% Verified Answers
✓ Complete Rationales Included
Exam (elaborations)
Instant PDF Download • Ready for Study
,Medical-Surgical Nursing II (NU 185) Exam 3 - Advanced Study Set 2026/2027 UPDATED –
Galen
1. A nurse is caring for a patient in the ICU who is post-thyroidectomy. The patient suddenly
develops a temperature of 103.2 F, tachycardia (140 bpm), and extreme agitation. Which
complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Hypocalcemic tetany
B. Myxedema Coma
C. Thyroid Storm
D. Laryngeal nerve damage
Answer: C
Rationale: Thyroid storm is a life-threatening emergency characterized by extreme
hypermetabolism, fever, tachycardia, and altered mental status. Hypocalcemia involves
tremors and spasms, not high fever.
2. When managing a patient with Diabetes Insipidus (DI), which laboratory finding is most
consistent with the diagnosis?
A. Urine specific gravity of 1.035
B. Serum sodium of 128 mEq/L
C. Serum osmolality of 310 mOsm/kg
, D. Low serum potassium
Answer: C
Rationale: In DI, the lack of ADH leads to excessive water loss in urine, resulting in
hemoconcentration and high serum osmolality (typically >295 mOsm/kg).
3. A patient with Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH) is admitted.
Which physician order should the nurse question?
A. 3% Sodium Chloride infusion at 50 mL/hr
B. Dextrose 5% in Water (D5W) at 125 mL/hr
C. Fluid restriction of 800 mL per day
D. Frequent neurological checks
Answer: B
Rationale: D5W is hypotonic once glucose is metabolized, which would worsen the
hyponatremia and cerebral edema in a patient with SIADH.
4. A patient is diagnosed with Pheochromocytoma. Which assessment is the priority for this
patient?
A. Monitoring for hypoglycemia
B. Assessing for abdominal masses via deep palpation
C. Checking for signs of hypocalcemia
D. Measuring blood pressure and heart rate frequently
