NU 185
Medical-Surgical Nursing II Exam
3 Comprehensive Assessment
Exam 3 • Practice Questions & Rationales
UPDATE
Actual Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Clinical Rationales
Practice Questions with Rationales
Galen College of Nursing
NU 185
✓ 100% Verified Answers
✓ Complete Rationales Included
Exam (elaborations)
Instant PDF Download • Ready for Study
,NU 185 Medical-Surgical Nursing II Exam 3 Comprehensive Assessment 2026/2027 UPDATE –
Galen
1. A patient with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) presents with a serum potassium level of 6.8
mEq/L and ECG changes including peaked T waves. Which medication should the nurse
anticipate administering first to stabilize the cardiac membrane?
A. IV Calcium Gluconate
B. Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate (Kayexalate)
C. Regular Insulin and D50W
D. Furosemide (Lasix)
Answer: A
Rationale: While insulin and Kayexalate help lower potassium levels, Calcium Gluconate is
administered first in the presence of ECG changes to stabilize the myocardial cell
membrane and prevent lethal arrhythmias.
2. A patient is 12 hours post-transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) with continuous
bladder irrigation (CBI). The nurse notes the urine output is bright red with numerous large
clots and the patient reports severe bladder spasms. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Increase the rate of the CBI infusion
B. Administer the prescribed antispasmodic medication
, C. Manually irrigate the catheter with sterile normal saline
D. Notify the surgeon immediately for suspected hemorrhage
Answer: C
Rationale: If the catheter is obstructed by clots (indicated by spasms and bright red
output), the priority is to restore patency through manual irrigation. If patency cannot be
restored, then the surgeon should be notified.
3. Which clinical manifestation should the nurse expect to find in a patient experiencing an
Addisonian crisis?
A. Profound hypotension and hyperkalemia
B. Hyperglycemia and hypokalemia
C. Severe hypertension and hypernatremia
D. Bradycardia and polyuria
Answer: A
Rationale: Addisonian crisis is characterized by acute adrenal insufficiency, leading to a
critical drop in cortisol and aldosterone, resulting in hypotension, hyponatremia,
hyperkalemia, and hypoglycemia.
4. A patient with SIADH is receiving 3% hypertonic saline IV. Which assessment finding is
most important for the nurse to monitor to prevent permanent neurological damage?
A. Rate of serum sodium increase
Medical-Surgical Nursing II Exam
3 Comprehensive Assessment
Exam 3 • Practice Questions & Rationales
UPDATE
Actual Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Clinical Rationales
Practice Questions with Rationales
Galen College of Nursing
NU 185
✓ 100% Verified Answers
✓ Complete Rationales Included
Exam (elaborations)
Instant PDF Download • Ready for Study
,NU 185 Medical-Surgical Nursing II Exam 3 Comprehensive Assessment 2026/2027 UPDATE –
Galen
1. A patient with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) presents with a serum potassium level of 6.8
mEq/L and ECG changes including peaked T waves. Which medication should the nurse
anticipate administering first to stabilize the cardiac membrane?
A. IV Calcium Gluconate
B. Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate (Kayexalate)
C. Regular Insulin and D50W
D. Furosemide (Lasix)
Answer: A
Rationale: While insulin and Kayexalate help lower potassium levels, Calcium Gluconate is
administered first in the presence of ECG changes to stabilize the myocardial cell
membrane and prevent lethal arrhythmias.
2. A patient is 12 hours post-transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) with continuous
bladder irrigation (CBI). The nurse notes the urine output is bright red with numerous large
clots and the patient reports severe bladder spasms. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Increase the rate of the CBI infusion
B. Administer the prescribed antispasmodic medication
, C. Manually irrigate the catheter with sterile normal saline
D. Notify the surgeon immediately for suspected hemorrhage
Answer: C
Rationale: If the catheter is obstructed by clots (indicated by spasms and bright red
output), the priority is to restore patency through manual irrigation. If patency cannot be
restored, then the surgeon should be notified.
3. Which clinical manifestation should the nurse expect to find in a patient experiencing an
Addisonian crisis?
A. Profound hypotension and hyperkalemia
B. Hyperglycemia and hypokalemia
C. Severe hypertension and hypernatremia
D. Bradycardia and polyuria
Answer: A
Rationale: Addisonian crisis is characterized by acute adrenal insufficiency, leading to a
critical drop in cortisol and aldosterone, resulting in hypotension, hyponatremia,
hyperkalemia, and hypoglycemia.
4. A patient with SIADH is receiving 3% hypertonic saline IV. Which assessment finding is
most important for the nurse to monitor to prevent permanent neurological damage?
A. Rate of serum sodium increase
