NU 185
Medical-Surgical Nursing II Exam
4 Comprehensive Prep
Exam 4 • 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 4 Comprehensive Prep 2026/2027 UPDATE – Galen
1. A nurse is caring for a client in the ICU who is suspected of having Acute Respiratory
Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Which clinical manifestation is the hallmark of ARDS?
A. Respiratory alkalosis due to hyperventilation
B. Increased lung compliance and elasticity
C. Hypoxemia that is refractory to supplemental oxygen
D. Decreased pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP)
Answer: C
Rationale: The hallmark sign of ARDS is refractory hypoxemia, which is a condition where
the arterial oxygen levels remain low even when the client is receiving high concentrations
of oxygen.
2. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. Which assessment finding
should the nurse prioritize?
A. Severe hypertension and pounding headache
B. Hyperglycemia and weight gain
C. Bradycardia and hypotension
D. Hypoglycemia and lethargy
, Answer: A
Rationale: Pheochromocytoma is a catecholamine-secreting tumor of the adrenal medulla.
The excess secretion of epinephrine and norepinephrine causes severe hypertension,
which can lead to stroke or organ damage; thus, it is the priority.
3. The nurse is evaluating a client’s EKG strip and notes a ‘sawtooth’ pattern of P waves. The
nurse identifies this rhythm as:
A. Atrial Fibrillation
B. Ventricular Tachycardia
C. Atrial Flutter
D. Third-degree AV block
Answer: C
Rationale: Atrial flutter is characterized by rapid, regular atrial depolarizations that create
a characteristic sawtooth appearance on the EKG.
4. Which medication is considered the first-line treatment for a patient experiencing
symptomatic Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)?
A. Atropine
B. Adenosine
C. Amiodarone
D. Digoxin
Medical-Surgical Nursing II Exam
4 Comprehensive Prep
Exam 4 • 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 4 Comprehensive Prep 2026/2027 UPDATE – Galen
1. A nurse is caring for a client in the ICU who is suspected of having Acute Respiratory
Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Which clinical manifestation is the hallmark of ARDS?
A. Respiratory alkalosis due to hyperventilation
B. Increased lung compliance and elasticity
C. Hypoxemia that is refractory to supplemental oxygen
D. Decreased pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP)
Answer: C
Rationale: The hallmark sign of ARDS is refractory hypoxemia, which is a condition where
the arterial oxygen levels remain low even when the client is receiving high concentrations
of oxygen.
2. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. Which assessment finding
should the nurse prioritize?
A. Severe hypertension and pounding headache
B. Hyperglycemia and weight gain
C. Bradycardia and hypotension
D. Hypoglycemia and lethargy
, Answer: A
Rationale: Pheochromocytoma is a catecholamine-secreting tumor of the adrenal medulla.
The excess secretion of epinephrine and norepinephrine causes severe hypertension,
which can lead to stroke or organ damage; thus, it is the priority.
3. The nurse is evaluating a client’s EKG strip and notes a ‘sawtooth’ pattern of P waves. The
nurse identifies this rhythm as:
A. Atrial Fibrillation
B. Ventricular Tachycardia
C. Atrial Flutter
D. Third-degree AV block
Answer: C
Rationale: Atrial flutter is characterized by rapid, regular atrial depolarizations that create
a characteristic sawtooth appearance on the EKG.
4. Which medication is considered the first-line treatment for a patient experiencing
symptomatic Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)?
A. Atropine
B. Adenosine
C. Amiodarone
D. Digoxin
