NUR 253 PRACTICE EXAM - GALEN
COLLEGE OF NURSING QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) WITH
EXPERT EXPLANATIONS | 2026 – 2027
UPDATE (PDF) GALEN COLLEGE OF
NURSING
1. A patient with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L is admitted to the medical-surgical unit.
Which ECG change should the nurse most closely monitor for?
A. Tall, peaked T waves
B. Prominent U waves
C. Shortened PR interval
D. ST-segment depression
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) typically manifests on
an ECG as tall, peaked T waves, widened QRS complexes, and prolonged PR intervals.
Prominent U waves are associated with hypokalemia.
,2. An arterial blood gas (ABG) result shows: pH 7.28, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 24 mEq/L.
How should the nurse interpret these results?
A. Compensated respiratory alkalosis
B. Compensated metabolic alkalosis
C. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
D. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is low (< 7.35), indicating acidosis. The PaCO2 is high (>
45 mmHg), which corresponds with the acidotic pH (respiratory). The HCO3 is normal,
meaning no compensation has occurred.
3. A post-operative patient’s wound eviscerates. After calling for help, what is the nurse’s
immediate priority action?
A. Push the protruding organs back into the abdominal cavity
B. Apply a dry, sterile pressure dressing to the site
C. Place the patient in a High-Fowler’s position to ease breathing
D. Cover the protruding organs with sterile gauze moistened with sterile normal saline
Answer: D
, Conceptual Explanation: Evisceration is a medical emergency. The organs must be kept
moist with sterile normal saline-soaked dressings. Pushing them back in can cause trauma
or infection, and High-Fowler’s increases abdominal pressure.
4. A patient in Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) presents with deep, rapid, labored respirations.
The nurse documents this as:
A. Cheyne-Stokes respirations
B. Biot’s respirations
C. Kussmaul respirations
D. Bradypnea
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Kussmaul respirations are a compensatory mechanism for
metabolic acidosis, specifically DKA, where the body attempts to ‘blow off’ excess CO2 to
raise the pH.
5. The nurse is assessing a patient with suspected Left-sided Heart Failure. Which clinical
manifestation is most characteristic of this condition?
A. Jugular venous distention (JVD)
B. Crackles in the lung bases
C. Dependent peripheral edema
D. Splenomegaly
COLLEGE OF NURSING QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) WITH
EXPERT EXPLANATIONS | 2026 – 2027
UPDATE (PDF) GALEN COLLEGE OF
NURSING
1. A patient with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L is admitted to the medical-surgical unit.
Which ECG change should the nurse most closely monitor for?
A. Tall, peaked T waves
B. Prominent U waves
C. Shortened PR interval
D. ST-segment depression
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) typically manifests on
an ECG as tall, peaked T waves, widened QRS complexes, and prolonged PR intervals.
Prominent U waves are associated with hypokalemia.
,2. An arterial blood gas (ABG) result shows: pH 7.28, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 24 mEq/L.
How should the nurse interpret these results?
A. Compensated respiratory alkalosis
B. Compensated metabolic alkalosis
C. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
D. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is low (< 7.35), indicating acidosis. The PaCO2 is high (>
45 mmHg), which corresponds with the acidotic pH (respiratory). The HCO3 is normal,
meaning no compensation has occurred.
3. A post-operative patient’s wound eviscerates. After calling for help, what is the nurse’s
immediate priority action?
A. Push the protruding organs back into the abdominal cavity
B. Apply a dry, sterile pressure dressing to the site
C. Place the patient in a High-Fowler’s position to ease breathing
D. Cover the protruding organs with sterile gauze moistened with sterile normal saline
Answer: D
, Conceptual Explanation: Evisceration is a medical emergency. The organs must be kept
moist with sterile normal saline-soaked dressings. Pushing them back in can cause trauma
or infection, and High-Fowler’s increases abdominal pressure.
4. A patient in Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) presents with deep, rapid, labored respirations.
The nurse documents this as:
A. Cheyne-Stokes respirations
B. Biot’s respirations
C. Kussmaul respirations
D. Bradypnea
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Kussmaul respirations are a compensatory mechanism for
metabolic acidosis, specifically DKA, where the body attempts to ‘blow off’ excess CO2 to
raise the pH.
5. The nurse is assessing a patient with suspected Left-sided Heart Failure. Which clinical
manifestation is most characteristic of this condition?
A. Jugular venous distention (JVD)
B. Crackles in the lung bases
C. Dependent peripheral edema
D. Splenomegaly
