NU 185 (Exams 1–4) | Complete Full Course Study
Bundle
NU 185 – MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING II
COMPLETE STUDY BUNDLE: EXAMS 1–4
Galen College of Nursing – Original Practice Questions
Answers + Detailed Rationales
SECTION A: CARDIAC & PERIPHERAL VASCULAR
QUESTION 1
A patient with heart failure reports waking up at night short of breath. This is best
described as:
A) Orthopnea
B) Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
C) Dyspnea on exertion
D) Platypnea
Correct Answer: B
1
,Rationale: Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND) is sudden shortness of breath that
awakens the client from sleep, typically 1–2 hours after lying down. It occurs due
to fluid redistribution from the lower extremities to the lungs when supine
[citation:13].
QUESTION 2
A patient with heart failure has a brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level of 950
pg/mL. This indicates:
A) Normal finding
B) Mild heart failure
C) Moderate heart failure
D) Severe heart failure
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A level above 100 pg/mL indicates heart failure, with levels above 900
pg/mL suggesting severe heart failure [citation:13]. BNP is elevated in response to
ventricular stretch and fluid overload [citation:13].
QUESTION 3
2
,Which dietary instruction is most important for a client with heart failure taking
furosemide (Lasix)?
A) Increase intake of bananas, oranges, and leafy greens
B) Restrict fluids to less than 500 mL per day
C) Avoid all carbohydrates
D) Limit protein to 10 grams per day
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting. Increasing
potassium-rich foods helps prevent hypokalemia, which increases the risk of
cardiac dysrhythmias [citation:13].
QUESTION 4
A client with unstable angina is prescribed nitroglycerin sublingual. Which
instruction is correct?
A) Take one tablet every 15 minutes for up to 3 doses
B) Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water
C) Take one tablet every 5 minutes for up to 3 doses. If pain persists, call 911
D) Chew the tablet for faster absorption
3
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct regimen for nitroglycerin sublingual is one tablet every 5
minutes for up to 3 doses. If chest pain is not relieved after the first dose, call 911
immediately [citation:13].
QUESTION 5
A patient is 6 hours post-cardiac catheterization via the femoral artery. Which
finding requires immediate nursing action?
A) Hematoma at the puncture site
B) Pulse rate 62 beats per minute
C) Blood pressure 118/76 mm Hg
D) Urine output 240 mL in 4 hours
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: An expanding hematoma at the femoral puncture site indicates bleeding,
possibly retroperitoneal, requiring immediate pressure application and provider
notification [citation:13].
4
Bundle
NU 185 – MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING II
COMPLETE STUDY BUNDLE: EXAMS 1–4
Galen College of Nursing – Original Practice Questions
Answers + Detailed Rationales
SECTION A: CARDIAC & PERIPHERAL VASCULAR
QUESTION 1
A patient with heart failure reports waking up at night short of breath. This is best
described as:
A) Orthopnea
B) Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
C) Dyspnea on exertion
D) Platypnea
Correct Answer: B
1
,Rationale: Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND) is sudden shortness of breath that
awakens the client from sleep, typically 1–2 hours after lying down. It occurs due
to fluid redistribution from the lower extremities to the lungs when supine
[citation:13].
QUESTION 2
A patient with heart failure has a brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level of 950
pg/mL. This indicates:
A) Normal finding
B) Mild heart failure
C) Moderate heart failure
D) Severe heart failure
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A level above 100 pg/mL indicates heart failure, with levels above 900
pg/mL suggesting severe heart failure [citation:13]. BNP is elevated in response to
ventricular stretch and fluid overload [citation:13].
QUESTION 3
2
,Which dietary instruction is most important for a client with heart failure taking
furosemide (Lasix)?
A) Increase intake of bananas, oranges, and leafy greens
B) Restrict fluids to less than 500 mL per day
C) Avoid all carbohydrates
D) Limit protein to 10 grams per day
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting. Increasing
potassium-rich foods helps prevent hypokalemia, which increases the risk of
cardiac dysrhythmias [citation:13].
QUESTION 4
A client with unstable angina is prescribed nitroglycerin sublingual. Which
instruction is correct?
A) Take one tablet every 15 minutes for up to 3 doses
B) Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water
C) Take one tablet every 5 minutes for up to 3 doses. If pain persists, call 911
D) Chew the tablet for faster absorption
3
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct regimen for nitroglycerin sublingual is one tablet every 5
minutes for up to 3 doses. If chest pain is not relieved after the first dose, call 911
immediately [citation:13].
QUESTION 5
A patient is 6 hours post-cardiac catheterization via the femoral artery. Which
finding requires immediate nursing action?
A) Hematoma at the puncture site
B) Pulse rate 62 beats per minute
C) Blood pressure 118/76 mm Hg
D) Urine output 240 mL in 4 hours
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: An expanding hematoma at the femoral puncture site indicates bleeding,
possibly retroperitoneal, requiring immediate pressure application and provider
notification [citation:13].
4
