NUR 170 & NUR 171 Final Exam Bundle
2026/2027 | Concepts of Medical-Surgical
Nursing | 400+ Verified Questions & Answers
with Rationales | Galen College | Graded A+
1. A patient with chronic heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which laboratory
value is most important to monitor?
A) Serum sodium
B) Serum potassium
C) Serum calcium
D) Serum magnesium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting by inhibiting sodium
and chloride reabsorption in the ascending loop of Henle. Hypokalemia is a significant and
potentially life-threatening side effect (e.g., cardiac dysrhythmias), making serum potassium
the most critical value to monitor.
2. The nurse is caring for a postoperative patient receiving morphine via PCA. The
patient's respiratory rate drops to 8 breaths/min. Which action should the nurse take
first?
A) Administer naloxone
B) Discontinue the PCA pump
, C) Assess the patient's level of consciousness
D) Increase the patient's oxygen flow rate
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min indicates severe respiratory depression, a life-
threatening adverse effect of opioid administration. The priority action is to administer
naloxone, an opioid antagonist, to rapidly reverse the effects.
3. A patient with an indwelling urinary catheter has developed a UTI. Which is the
most appropriate intervention to prevent further infections?
A) Increase the patient's fluid intake to 3000 mL/day
B) Remove the indwelling catheter as soon as possible
C) Administer prophylactic antibiotics
D) Clean the meatus daily with an antiseptic solution
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary risk factor for catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) is
the presence of the indwelling catheter itself. The most effective prevention strategy is to
remove the catheter as soon as it is no longer clinically indicated.
4. A nurse is teaching a patient about postoperative deep breathing exercises. Which
statement indicates correct understanding?
A) "I will take shallow breaths to avoid pain."
B) "I should hold my breath for 30 seconds each time."
C) "I will use the incentive spirometer every hour while awake."
D) "I only need to do the exercises if I feel short of breath."
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Incentive spirometry promotes lung expansion and prevents atelectasis. Using it
every hour while awake ensures regular alveolar recruitment, which is the standard
postoperative respiratory intervention.
5. A patient has a nasogastric tube to low intermittent suction following bowel
surgery. Which electrolyte imbalance is this patient most at risk for developing?
A) Hypercalcemia
B) Hyponatremia
C) Hyperchloremia
D) Hypokalemia
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Nasogastric suction removes gastric fluids rich in potassium and hydrogen ions,
leading to hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis.
6. A patient with a pressure injury has a wound bed covered with yellow, stringy
tissue. How should the nurse document this finding?
A) Slough
B) Eschar
C) Granulation tissue
D) Epithelialization
Correct Answer: A
, Rationale: Slough is described as yellow, tan, or green stringy tissue that adheres to the
wound bed. It is composed of dead cells, fibrin, and other debris. Eschar is black or brown
dry, thick, leathery tissue.
7. A patient with chronic kidney disease has a potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L. Which
finding requires immediate nursing action?
A) Serum creatinine of 2.5 mg/dL
B) Telemetry showing peaked T waves
C) Urine output of 40 mL/hour
D) Blood pressure 142/88 mm Hg
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Peaked T waves are an ECG sign of hyperkalemia, which can progress to
ventricular fibrillation or cardiac arrest. This is a life-threatening emergency requiring
immediate intervention.
8. A patient is admitted with acute pancreatitis. Which laboratory value is most
specific to this condition?
A) Elevated serum amylase
B) Elevated serum lipase
C) Elevated blood urea nitrogen
D) Elevated white blood cell count
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Serum lipase is more specific and remains elevated longer than amylase in
pancreatitis. Amylase can be elevated in other conditions. BUN and WBC are nonspecific.
2026/2027 | Concepts of Medical-Surgical
Nursing | 400+ Verified Questions & Answers
with Rationales | Galen College | Graded A+
1. A patient with chronic heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which laboratory
value is most important to monitor?
A) Serum sodium
B) Serum potassium
C) Serum calcium
D) Serum magnesium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting by inhibiting sodium
and chloride reabsorption in the ascending loop of Henle. Hypokalemia is a significant and
potentially life-threatening side effect (e.g., cardiac dysrhythmias), making serum potassium
the most critical value to monitor.
2. The nurse is caring for a postoperative patient receiving morphine via PCA. The
patient's respiratory rate drops to 8 breaths/min. Which action should the nurse take
first?
A) Administer naloxone
B) Discontinue the PCA pump
, C) Assess the patient's level of consciousness
D) Increase the patient's oxygen flow rate
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min indicates severe respiratory depression, a life-
threatening adverse effect of opioid administration. The priority action is to administer
naloxone, an opioid antagonist, to rapidly reverse the effects.
3. A patient with an indwelling urinary catheter has developed a UTI. Which is the
most appropriate intervention to prevent further infections?
A) Increase the patient's fluid intake to 3000 mL/day
B) Remove the indwelling catheter as soon as possible
C) Administer prophylactic antibiotics
D) Clean the meatus daily with an antiseptic solution
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary risk factor for catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) is
the presence of the indwelling catheter itself. The most effective prevention strategy is to
remove the catheter as soon as it is no longer clinically indicated.
4. A nurse is teaching a patient about postoperative deep breathing exercises. Which
statement indicates correct understanding?
A) "I will take shallow breaths to avoid pain."
B) "I should hold my breath for 30 seconds each time."
C) "I will use the incentive spirometer every hour while awake."
D) "I only need to do the exercises if I feel short of breath."
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Incentive spirometry promotes lung expansion and prevents atelectasis. Using it
every hour while awake ensures regular alveolar recruitment, which is the standard
postoperative respiratory intervention.
5. A patient has a nasogastric tube to low intermittent suction following bowel
surgery. Which electrolyte imbalance is this patient most at risk for developing?
A) Hypercalcemia
B) Hyponatremia
C) Hyperchloremia
D) Hypokalemia
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Nasogastric suction removes gastric fluids rich in potassium and hydrogen ions,
leading to hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis.
6. A patient with a pressure injury has a wound bed covered with yellow, stringy
tissue. How should the nurse document this finding?
A) Slough
B) Eschar
C) Granulation tissue
D) Epithelialization
Correct Answer: A
, Rationale: Slough is described as yellow, tan, or green stringy tissue that adheres to the
wound bed. It is composed of dead cells, fibrin, and other debris. Eschar is black or brown
dry, thick, leathery tissue.
7. A patient with chronic kidney disease has a potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L. Which
finding requires immediate nursing action?
A) Serum creatinine of 2.5 mg/dL
B) Telemetry showing peaked T waves
C) Urine output of 40 mL/hour
D) Blood pressure 142/88 mm Hg
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Peaked T waves are an ECG sign of hyperkalemia, which can progress to
ventricular fibrillation or cardiac arrest. This is a life-threatening emergency requiring
immediate intervention.
8. A patient is admitted with acute pancreatitis. Which laboratory value is most
specific to this condition?
A) Elevated serum amylase
B) Elevated serum lipase
C) Elevated blood urea nitrogen
D) Elevated white blood cell count
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Serum lipase is more specific and remains elevated longer than amylase in
pancreatitis. Amylase can be elevated in other conditions. BUN and WBC are nonspecific.
