GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING — NU 155 MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING I FALL 2026 FINAL EXAM REVIEW
GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING
NU 155: Medical-Surgical Nursing I — Comprehensive Final Exam Paper
Fall 2026 Term | Tested Questions, Randomized Options, Verified Answers & Rationales
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS:
• This exam paper contains tested multiple-choice items extracted directly from NU 155 course assessment materials.
• Answer choices (A, B, C, D) have been randomized across all items to reflect strict examiner test-bank assembly standards.
• Each item includes the verified correct answer (✔ Green) and detailed expert clinical rationales (Yellow Box).
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) Massage the wound edges gently to promote healing.
B) Clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide and apply antibiotic ointment.
C) Cover the wound loosely with a sterile dry dressing.
D) Apply a sterile, normal-saline soaked dressing to the wound.
✔ Correct Answer: D) Apply a sterile, normal-saline soaked dressing to the wound.
EXPERT RATIONALE: This presentation is consistent with wound dehiscence, a complication where the surgical wound
separates. It is crucial to cover the area with a sterile saline-soaked dressing to keep the tissues moist and prevent
contamination while minimizing trauma. Dry dressings can cause tissue desiccation, and hydrogen peroxide can damage new
granulation tissue. Massaging the wound edges is contraindicated.
2. The nurse is providing preoperative instructions to a client who is scheduled for surgery to correct
spinal curvature. Which of the following statements by the client best demonstrates a correct
understanding of the teaching?
A) "I will show you the method of turning I will use after surgery."
B) "Pain medication will not be necessary after surgery."
C) "I can get out of bed as soon as I feel like it."
D) "I will limit my movements completely after surgery."
✔ Correct Answer: A) "I will show you the method of turning I will use after surgery."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Preoperative teaching often involves instructing clients on postoperative mobility techniques to
prevent injury and promote healing. Demonstrating turning techniques shows patient engagement and understanding. Early
mobilization prevents complications, and pain management is necessary for recovery.
Confidential — Practice Final Exam Paper & Answer Key Page 1
,GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING — NU 155 MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING I FALL 2026 FINAL EXAM REVIEW
3. The nurse is assessing a postoperative client who has advanced cognitive impairment. Which of the
following actions by the nurse is most effective when assessing the client's level of pain?
A) Monitor the client's body language, facial expressions, emotional status, and consolability.
B) Ask the client to rate pain on a scale from 0 to 10.
C) Assume no pain if there is no verbal complaint.
D) Measure vital signs only.
✔ Correct Answer: A) Monitor the client's body language, facial expressions, emotional status, and
consolability.
EXPERT RATIONALE: Clients with advanced cognitive impairment may have limited ability to self-report pain. Observational
pain assessment tools that include behavior and emotional cues are considered the most reliable strategies to identify pain in
this population.
4. The nurse is caring for a client who has diabetes mellitus and reports sharp, burning pain in bilateral
lower extremities. The nurse understands that the client may be experiencing:
A) Phantom limb pain.
B) Referred pain.
C) Neuropathic pain.
D) Nociceptive pain.
✔ Correct Answer: C) Neuropathic pain.
EXPERT RATIONALE: Neuropathic pain results from nerve damage often associated with diabetes mellitus, characterized by
sharp, burning sensations typically in a "stocking-glove" distribution in the lower extremities.
5. The nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled to have surgery the following day. It requires
notification to the primary health care provider (PHCP) if the client:
A) Is allergic to latex.
B) Has a recent upper respiratory infection.
C) Has a history of smoking.
D) Reports a family history of high fever during a surgical procedure.
✔ Correct Answer: D) Reports a family history of high fever during a surgical procedure.
EXPERT RATIONALE: A family history of malignant hyperthermia (a life-threatening hypermetabolic reaction to certain
anesthetics) requires urgent notification to the PHCP to ensure anesthesia precautions are in place.
Confidential — Practice Final Exam Paper & Answer Key Page 2
, GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING — NU 155 MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING I FALL 2026 FINAL EXAM REVIEW
6. The nurse is caring for a postoperative client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to
minimize the client's risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
A) Apply warm compresses to the lower extremities regularly.
B) Limit client movement to prevent wound disruption.
C) Assist the client to ambulate frequently as early as tolerated.
D) Give bed rest for at least 48 hours after surgery.
✔ Correct Answer: C) Assist the client to ambulate frequently as early as tolerated.
EXPERT RATIONALE: Early ambulation stimulates venous return and reduces venous stasis, which is critical in preventing
DVT formation postoperatively. Prolonged bed rest increases DVT risk.
7. The nurse is caring for a group of assigned clients. Which of the following clients requires immediate
follow-up by the nurse?
A) Client with stable vital signs after a blood transfusion.
B) Client with a healing surgical wound reporting mild pain.
C) The client who had a cardiac catheterization via the right femoral artery 1 hour ago who is reporting numbness in the
right leg.
D) Client scheduled for discharge in 2 days reporting fatigue.
✔ Correct Answer: C) The client who had a cardiac catheterization via the right femoral artery 1 hour ago who
is reporting numbness in the right leg.
EXPERT RATIONALE: Numbness could indicate compromised circulation or nerve injury following femoral artery
catheterization, requiring immediate assessment to prevent serious complications such as limb ischemia.
8. The nurse has reinforced teaching with a client about risk factors for deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Which of the following risk factors identified by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A) Intake of foods high in calcium.
B) Smoking.
C) Oral contraceptive use.
D) Prolonged immobility.
✔ Correct Answer: A) Intake of foods high in calcium.
EXPERT RATIONALE: High calcium intake is not a recognized risk factor for DVT. Common risk factors include oral
contraceptives, immobility, and smoking. Misconceptions should be corrected to promote accurate client understanding.
Confidential — Practice Final Exam Paper & Answer Key Page 3
GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING
NU 155: Medical-Surgical Nursing I — Comprehensive Final Exam Paper
Fall 2026 Term | Tested Questions, Randomized Options, Verified Answers & Rationales
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS:
• This exam paper contains tested multiple-choice items extracted directly from NU 155 course assessment materials.
• Answer choices (A, B, C, D) have been randomized across all items to reflect strict examiner test-bank assembly standards.
• Each item includes the verified correct answer (✔ Green) and detailed expert clinical rationales (Yellow Box).
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) Massage the wound edges gently to promote healing.
B) Clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide and apply antibiotic ointment.
C) Cover the wound loosely with a sterile dry dressing.
D) Apply a sterile, normal-saline soaked dressing to the wound.
✔ Correct Answer: D) Apply a sterile, normal-saline soaked dressing to the wound.
EXPERT RATIONALE: This presentation is consistent with wound dehiscence, a complication where the surgical wound
separates. It is crucial to cover the area with a sterile saline-soaked dressing to keep the tissues moist and prevent
contamination while minimizing trauma. Dry dressings can cause tissue desiccation, and hydrogen peroxide can damage new
granulation tissue. Massaging the wound edges is contraindicated.
2. The nurse is providing preoperative instructions to a client who is scheduled for surgery to correct
spinal curvature. Which of the following statements by the client best demonstrates a correct
understanding of the teaching?
A) "I will show you the method of turning I will use after surgery."
B) "Pain medication will not be necessary after surgery."
C) "I can get out of bed as soon as I feel like it."
D) "I will limit my movements completely after surgery."
✔ Correct Answer: A) "I will show you the method of turning I will use after surgery."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Preoperative teaching often involves instructing clients on postoperative mobility techniques to
prevent injury and promote healing. Demonstrating turning techniques shows patient engagement and understanding. Early
mobilization prevents complications, and pain management is necessary for recovery.
Confidential — Practice Final Exam Paper & Answer Key Page 1
,GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING — NU 155 MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING I FALL 2026 FINAL EXAM REVIEW
3. The nurse is assessing a postoperative client who has advanced cognitive impairment. Which of the
following actions by the nurse is most effective when assessing the client's level of pain?
A) Monitor the client's body language, facial expressions, emotional status, and consolability.
B) Ask the client to rate pain on a scale from 0 to 10.
C) Assume no pain if there is no verbal complaint.
D) Measure vital signs only.
✔ Correct Answer: A) Monitor the client's body language, facial expressions, emotional status, and
consolability.
EXPERT RATIONALE: Clients with advanced cognitive impairment may have limited ability to self-report pain. Observational
pain assessment tools that include behavior and emotional cues are considered the most reliable strategies to identify pain in
this population.
4. The nurse is caring for a client who has diabetes mellitus and reports sharp, burning pain in bilateral
lower extremities. The nurse understands that the client may be experiencing:
A) Phantom limb pain.
B) Referred pain.
C) Neuropathic pain.
D) Nociceptive pain.
✔ Correct Answer: C) Neuropathic pain.
EXPERT RATIONALE: Neuropathic pain results from nerve damage often associated with diabetes mellitus, characterized by
sharp, burning sensations typically in a "stocking-glove" distribution in the lower extremities.
5. The nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled to have surgery the following day. It requires
notification to the primary health care provider (PHCP) if the client:
A) Is allergic to latex.
B) Has a recent upper respiratory infection.
C) Has a history of smoking.
D) Reports a family history of high fever during a surgical procedure.
✔ Correct Answer: D) Reports a family history of high fever during a surgical procedure.
EXPERT RATIONALE: A family history of malignant hyperthermia (a life-threatening hypermetabolic reaction to certain
anesthetics) requires urgent notification to the PHCP to ensure anesthesia precautions are in place.
Confidential — Practice Final Exam Paper & Answer Key Page 2
, GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING — NU 155 MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING I FALL 2026 FINAL EXAM REVIEW
6. The nurse is caring for a postoperative client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to
minimize the client's risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
A) Apply warm compresses to the lower extremities regularly.
B) Limit client movement to prevent wound disruption.
C) Assist the client to ambulate frequently as early as tolerated.
D) Give bed rest for at least 48 hours after surgery.
✔ Correct Answer: C) Assist the client to ambulate frequently as early as tolerated.
EXPERT RATIONALE: Early ambulation stimulates venous return and reduces venous stasis, which is critical in preventing
DVT formation postoperatively. Prolonged bed rest increases DVT risk.
7. The nurse is caring for a group of assigned clients. Which of the following clients requires immediate
follow-up by the nurse?
A) Client with stable vital signs after a blood transfusion.
B) Client with a healing surgical wound reporting mild pain.
C) The client who had a cardiac catheterization via the right femoral artery 1 hour ago who is reporting numbness in the
right leg.
D) Client scheduled for discharge in 2 days reporting fatigue.
✔ Correct Answer: C) The client who had a cardiac catheterization via the right femoral artery 1 hour ago who
is reporting numbness in the right leg.
EXPERT RATIONALE: Numbness could indicate compromised circulation or nerve injury following femoral artery
catheterization, requiring immediate assessment to prevent serious complications such as limb ischemia.
8. The nurse has reinforced teaching with a client about risk factors for deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Which of the following risk factors identified by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A) Intake of foods high in calcium.
B) Smoking.
C) Oral contraceptive use.
D) Prolonged immobility.
✔ Correct Answer: A) Intake of foods high in calcium.
EXPERT RATIONALE: High calcium intake is not a recognized risk factor for DVT. Common risk factors include oral
contraceptives, immobility, and smoking. Misconceptions should be corrected to promote accurate client understanding.
Confidential — Practice Final Exam Paper & Answer Key Page 3
