NU 155 EXAM 3 MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING
I GALEN COLLEGE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD
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CORE DOMAINS
Perioperative Nursing and Postoperative Complications
Wound Care, Pressure Injuries, and Tissue Integrity
Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
Cardiovascular and Peripheral Vascular Disorders
Respiratory Disorders and Oxygenation
Diabetes and Endocrine Emergencies
Pain Management and Palliative Care
Infection Prevention and Safety
INTRODUCTION
The NU 155 Exam 3 Medical-Surgical Nursing I examination assesses
the competency of nursing students at Galen College of Nursing. This
comprehensive assessment evaluates knowledge across critical domains
including perioperative care, wound management, fluid and electrolyte
balance, and cardiovascular and respiratory disorders. The examination
employs multiple-choice and scenario-based questions that require
candidates to demonstrate applied clinical judgment and decision-
making skills essential for safe medical-surgical nursing practice.
Emphasis is placed on prioritization, pathophysiology, and evidence-
based interventions. Successful completion validates the candidate’s
,readiness to provide safe, patient-centered care to adults with acute
health problems.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–150
Question 1
The nurse is monitoring a client’s surgical incision and notes an increase
in the amount of drainage, a separation of the incision line, and the
appearance of underlying tissue. Which of the following is an
appropriate action for the nurse to take?
A. Apply a sterile, normal-saline soaked dressing to the wound.
B. Place a dry sterile dressing over the wound and apply pressure.
C. Notify the surgeon immediately and prepare for wound closure.
D. Apply an antibiotic ointment and cover with a transparent dressing.
A. Apply a sterile, normal-saline soaked dressing to the wound.
RATIONALE: These findings indicate wound dehiscence
(separation of the incision). The nurse should apply a sterile, normal-
saline soaked dressing to keep the wound moist and protected while
notifying the healthcare provider .
Question 2
A client with a pressure injury on the sacrum has a wound that is
covered with yellow, stringy tissue that adheres to the wound bed. The
nurse correctly identifies this tissue as:
A. Granulation tissue
B. Slough
,C. Eschar
D. Epithelial tissue
B. Slough
RATIONALE: Slough is yellow, stringy, or mucinous tissue that
adheres to the wound bed and must be removed for healing to occur.
Eschar is black or brown and dry; granulation tissue is red and vascular .
Question 3
Which of the following is the most important intervention for preventing
pressure injuries in an immobilized client?
A. Massaging bony prominences daily
B. Repositioning the client every 2 hours
C. Using a foam mattress overlay
D. Providing a high-protein diet
B. Repositioning the client every 2 hours
RATIONALE: Repositioning every 2 hours is the most important
intervention to relieve pressure and prevent tissue ischemia. Massaging
bony prominences is contraindicated as it can damage capillary beds .
Question 4
A nurse is assessing a patient's pressure injury on the sacrum. The
wound involves full-thickness skin loss extending through subcutaneous
tissue. Subcutaneous fat is visible, and slough is present, but muscle,
tendon, and bone are not exposed. This describes a:
A. Stage 2 pressure injury
B. Stage 3 pressure injury
, C. Stage 4 pressure injury
D. Unstageable pressure injury
B. Stage 3 pressure injury
RATIONALE: A Stage 3 pressure injury involves full-thickness
skin loss extending through subcutaneous tissue. Subcutaneous fat may
be visible, but muscle, tendon, and bone are not exposed. Stage 2
involves partial-thickness loss; Stage 4 requires exposure of fascia,
muscle, tendon, or bone .
Question 5
A patient presents with intact skin over the ischial tuberosity that has
persistent non-blanchable deep red discoloration with a purple maroon
hue. This is best described as:
A. Stage 1 pressure injury
B. Deep tissue injury (DTI)
C. Stage 2 pressure injury
D. Unstageable pressure injury
B. Deep tissue injury (DTI)
RATIONALE: Deep tissue injury is characterized by intact skin
with persistent non-blanchable deep red, maroon, or purple
discoloration, or a blood-filled blister. Stage 1 shows non-blanchable
erythema without the deep purple/maroon discoloration of DTI .
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a patient 3 days post-abdominal hysterectomy. The
incision has redness, warmth, and serosanguineous drainage. These
findings are best described as:
I GALEN COLLEGE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD
CORE DOMAINS
Perioperative Nursing and Postoperative Complications
Wound Care, Pressure Injuries, and Tissue Integrity
Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
Cardiovascular and Peripheral Vascular Disorders
Respiratory Disorders and Oxygenation
Diabetes and Endocrine Emergencies
Pain Management and Palliative Care
Infection Prevention and Safety
INTRODUCTION
The NU 155 Exam 3 Medical-Surgical Nursing I examination assesses
the competency of nursing students at Galen College of Nursing. This
comprehensive assessment evaluates knowledge across critical domains
including perioperative care, wound management, fluid and electrolyte
balance, and cardiovascular and respiratory disorders. The examination
employs multiple-choice and scenario-based questions that require
candidates to demonstrate applied clinical judgment and decision-
making skills essential for safe medical-surgical nursing practice.
Emphasis is placed on prioritization, pathophysiology, and evidence-
based interventions. Successful completion validates the candidate’s
,readiness to provide safe, patient-centered care to adults with acute
health problems.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–150
Question 1
The nurse is monitoring a client’s surgical incision and notes an increase
in the amount of drainage, a separation of the incision line, and the
appearance of underlying tissue. Which of the following is an
appropriate action for the nurse to take?
A. Apply a sterile, normal-saline soaked dressing to the wound.
B. Place a dry sterile dressing over the wound and apply pressure.
C. Notify the surgeon immediately and prepare for wound closure.
D. Apply an antibiotic ointment and cover with a transparent dressing.
A. Apply a sterile, normal-saline soaked dressing to the wound.
RATIONALE: These findings indicate wound dehiscence
(separation of the incision). The nurse should apply a sterile, normal-
saline soaked dressing to keep the wound moist and protected while
notifying the healthcare provider .
Question 2
A client with a pressure injury on the sacrum has a wound that is
covered with yellow, stringy tissue that adheres to the wound bed. The
nurse correctly identifies this tissue as:
A. Granulation tissue
B. Slough
,C. Eschar
D. Epithelial tissue
B. Slough
RATIONALE: Slough is yellow, stringy, or mucinous tissue that
adheres to the wound bed and must be removed for healing to occur.
Eschar is black or brown and dry; granulation tissue is red and vascular .
Question 3
Which of the following is the most important intervention for preventing
pressure injuries in an immobilized client?
A. Massaging bony prominences daily
B. Repositioning the client every 2 hours
C. Using a foam mattress overlay
D. Providing a high-protein diet
B. Repositioning the client every 2 hours
RATIONALE: Repositioning every 2 hours is the most important
intervention to relieve pressure and prevent tissue ischemia. Massaging
bony prominences is contraindicated as it can damage capillary beds .
Question 4
A nurse is assessing a patient's pressure injury on the sacrum. The
wound involves full-thickness skin loss extending through subcutaneous
tissue. Subcutaneous fat is visible, and slough is present, but muscle,
tendon, and bone are not exposed. This describes a:
A. Stage 2 pressure injury
B. Stage 3 pressure injury
, C. Stage 4 pressure injury
D. Unstageable pressure injury
B. Stage 3 pressure injury
RATIONALE: A Stage 3 pressure injury involves full-thickness
skin loss extending through subcutaneous tissue. Subcutaneous fat may
be visible, but muscle, tendon, and bone are not exposed. Stage 2
involves partial-thickness loss; Stage 4 requires exposure of fascia,
muscle, tendon, or bone .
Question 5
A patient presents with intact skin over the ischial tuberosity that has
persistent non-blanchable deep red discoloration with a purple maroon
hue. This is best described as:
A. Stage 1 pressure injury
B. Deep tissue injury (DTI)
C. Stage 2 pressure injury
D. Unstageable pressure injury
B. Deep tissue injury (DTI)
RATIONALE: Deep tissue injury is characterized by intact skin
with persistent non-blanchable deep red, maroon, or purple
discoloration, or a blood-filled blister. Stage 1 shows non-blanchable
erythema without the deep purple/maroon discoloration of DTI .
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a patient 3 days post-abdominal hysterectomy. The
incision has redness, warmth, and serosanguineous drainage. These
findings are best described as:
