GALEN NUR 242 EXAM 2 – MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING CONCEPTS Complete Practice Test
Bank – 300 Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed Rationales | All Core Domains Covered |
A+ Graded
Exam Overview
NUR 242 Medical-Surgical Nursing Concepts Exam 2 at Galen College of Nursing covers Units 3
through 7 of the syllabus, focusing on:
- Fluid, Electrolyte & Acid-Base Balance (Chapters 13-14)
- Cardiovascular Disorders (Chapters 27-30, 44)
- Urinary/Renal Disorders (Chapters 57-59, 61, 64)
- Gastrointestinal Disorders (Chapters 46-49, 51)
- Hepatic & Pancreatic Disorders
- Perioperative & Postoperative Care
This comprehensive practice test bank contains 300 exam-style questions with verified answers
and detailed rationales, covering all core domains tested on Exam 2.
---
SECTION 1: FLUID, ELECTROLYTE & ACID-BASE BALANCE
Questions 1–75
---
,Question 1
A nurse is assessing a patient for fluid volume status. Which assessment finding is the MOST
reliable indicator of fluid balance?
A. Skin turgor
B. Daily weight
C. Presence of thirst
D. Blood pressure changes
---
Answer: B – Daily weight
Rationale: Daily weights on the same scale at the same time is the most reliable indicator of
fluid status—1 kg of weight equals approximately 1 liter of fluid. Skin turgor is less reliable in
older adults. Thirst and blood pressure changes are late signs of dehydration.
---
Question 2
A patient with fluid volume overload would exhibit which of the following assessment findings?
A. Thready pulse and poor skin turgor
B. Bounding pulse, distended neck veins, moist crackles, and weight gain
C. Deep, rapid respirations and confusion
D. Tachycardia and hypotension
,---
Answer: B – Bounding pulse, distended neck veins, moist crackles, and weight gain
Rationale: Key features of fluid overload include a bounding pulse, distended neck veins (jugular
venous distention), moist crackles on lung auscultation, and weight gain. Option A describes
dehydration. Option C describes metabolic acidosis. Option D also describes dehydration.
---
Question 3
A patient with an ileostomy is at increased risk for which fluid imbalance?
A. Fluid volume overload
B. Fluid volume deficit (dehydration)
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Hyperkalemia
---
Answer: B – Fluid volume deficit (dehydration)
Rationale: An ileostomy results in significant fluid and electrolyte losses through the stoma,
placing the patient at high risk for dehydration. Long-term corticosteroid use, in contrast, is a
risk factor for fluid overload.
, ---
Question 4
A patient is receiving IV fluids at 150 mL/hr. Which assessment finding would indicate the
patient is developing fluid overload?
A. Decreased urine output
B. Bounding pulses and crackles
C. Increased skin turgor
D. Thirst and dry mucous membranes
---
Answer: B – Bounding pulses and crackles
Rationale: Bounding pulses and crackles (rales) on lung auscultation are classic signs of fluid
volume excess. Decreased urine output, increased skin turgor, thirst, and dry mucous
membranes are signs of dehydration.
---
Question 5
The nurse is caring for a patient with heart failure who has gained 2.2 lbs (1 kg) in 24 hours. This
weight gain is equivalent to approximately how much fluid retention?
A. 500 mL
B. 750 mL
Bank – 300 Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed Rationales | All Core Domains Covered |
A+ Graded
Exam Overview
NUR 242 Medical-Surgical Nursing Concepts Exam 2 at Galen College of Nursing covers Units 3
through 7 of the syllabus, focusing on:
- Fluid, Electrolyte & Acid-Base Balance (Chapters 13-14)
- Cardiovascular Disorders (Chapters 27-30, 44)
- Urinary/Renal Disorders (Chapters 57-59, 61, 64)
- Gastrointestinal Disorders (Chapters 46-49, 51)
- Hepatic & Pancreatic Disorders
- Perioperative & Postoperative Care
This comprehensive practice test bank contains 300 exam-style questions with verified answers
and detailed rationales, covering all core domains tested on Exam 2.
---
SECTION 1: FLUID, ELECTROLYTE & ACID-BASE BALANCE
Questions 1–75
---
,Question 1
A nurse is assessing a patient for fluid volume status. Which assessment finding is the MOST
reliable indicator of fluid balance?
A. Skin turgor
B. Daily weight
C. Presence of thirst
D. Blood pressure changes
---
Answer: B – Daily weight
Rationale: Daily weights on the same scale at the same time is the most reliable indicator of
fluid status—1 kg of weight equals approximately 1 liter of fluid. Skin turgor is less reliable in
older adults. Thirst and blood pressure changes are late signs of dehydration.
---
Question 2
A patient with fluid volume overload would exhibit which of the following assessment findings?
A. Thready pulse and poor skin turgor
B. Bounding pulse, distended neck veins, moist crackles, and weight gain
C. Deep, rapid respirations and confusion
D. Tachycardia and hypotension
,---
Answer: B – Bounding pulse, distended neck veins, moist crackles, and weight gain
Rationale: Key features of fluid overload include a bounding pulse, distended neck veins (jugular
venous distention), moist crackles on lung auscultation, and weight gain. Option A describes
dehydration. Option C describes metabolic acidosis. Option D also describes dehydration.
---
Question 3
A patient with an ileostomy is at increased risk for which fluid imbalance?
A. Fluid volume overload
B. Fluid volume deficit (dehydration)
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Hyperkalemia
---
Answer: B – Fluid volume deficit (dehydration)
Rationale: An ileostomy results in significant fluid and electrolyte losses through the stoma,
placing the patient at high risk for dehydration. Long-term corticosteroid use, in contrast, is a
risk factor for fluid overload.
, ---
Question 4
A patient is receiving IV fluids at 150 mL/hr. Which assessment finding would indicate the
patient is developing fluid overload?
A. Decreased urine output
B. Bounding pulses and crackles
C. Increased skin turgor
D. Thirst and dry mucous membranes
---
Answer: B – Bounding pulses and crackles
Rationale: Bounding pulses and crackles (rales) on lung auscultation are classic signs of fluid
volume excess. Decreased urine output, increased skin turgor, thirst, and dry mucous
membranes are signs of dehydration.
---
Question 5
The nurse is caring for a patient with heart failure who has gained 2.2 lbs (1 kg) in 24 hours. This
weight gain is equivalent to approximately how much fluid retention?
A. 500 mL
B. 750 mL
