Galen NUR 242 Exam 2 Med-Surg Comprehensive Study Guide 2026 –
Galen College
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected left-sided heart failure. Which
clinical manifestation should the nurse expect?
A. Jugular vein distention
B. Peripheral edema
C. Hepatomegaly
D. Crackles in the lungs
Answer: D
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the pulmonary system,
leading to pulmonary congestion and crackles. The other options are typical signs of right-
sided heart failure.
2. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of right-sided heart failure?
A. Orthopnea
B. Shortness of breath
C. Productive cough
D. Dependent edema
Answer: D
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure leads to systemic venous congestion, manifesting as
dependent edema, jugular vein distention, and liver enlargement.
,3. A patient is taking Digoxin for heart failure. Which symptom should the nurse
report as a potential sign of toxicity?
A. Increased appetite
B. Visual disturbances like yellow halos
C. Constipation
D. Hypertension
Answer: B
Rationale: Common signs of digoxin toxicity include visual changes (yellow/green halos),
nausea, vomiting, and bradycardia.
4. Which laboratory value is most critical to monitor for a patient receiving
Furosemide (Lasix)?
A. Serum Calcium
B. Serum Sodium
C. Serum Glucose
D. Serum Potassium
Answer: D
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes the loss of potassium; hypokalemia is
a significant risk factor for arrhythmias.
5. A patient newly prescribed Lisinopril for hypertension develops a dry,
persistent cough. What is the nurse’s best action?
A. Advise the patient to take the medication with food
B. Notify the provider as this is a common side effect of ACE inhibitors
C. Document the finding as a normal side effect
D. Instruct the patient to double the dose to suppress the cough
Answer: B
Rationale: A dry cough is a common side effect of ACE inhibitors due to the accumulation
of bradykinin and may require switching to an ARB.
, 6. Before administering a beta-blocker like Metoprolol, which assessment
should the nurse perform first?
A. Check for pedal edema
B. Assess for peripheral pulses
C. Check the apical pulse and blood pressure
D. Verify the patient’s weight
Answer: C
Rationale: Beta-blockers can cause bradycardia and hypotension; the medication should
be held if the pulse is below 60 bpm or systolic BP is low.
7. Which medication is the primary treatment for an acute anginal attack?
A. Atorvastatin
B. Warfarin
C. Metoprolol
D. Sublingual Nitroglycerin
Answer: D
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin is a vasodilator used to rapidly relieve chest pain in
acute angina by improving coronary blood flow.
8. What is the antidote for Heparin?
A. Protamine Sulfate
B. Glucagon
C. Vitamin K
D. Acetylcysteine
Answer: A
Rationale: Protamine sulfate is the specific antidote used to reverse the effects of heparin
in cases of overdose or hemorrhage.
Galen College
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected left-sided heart failure. Which
clinical manifestation should the nurse expect?
A. Jugular vein distention
B. Peripheral edema
C. Hepatomegaly
D. Crackles in the lungs
Answer: D
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the pulmonary system,
leading to pulmonary congestion and crackles. The other options are typical signs of right-
sided heart failure.
2. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of right-sided heart failure?
A. Orthopnea
B. Shortness of breath
C. Productive cough
D. Dependent edema
Answer: D
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure leads to systemic venous congestion, manifesting as
dependent edema, jugular vein distention, and liver enlargement.
,3. A patient is taking Digoxin for heart failure. Which symptom should the nurse
report as a potential sign of toxicity?
A. Increased appetite
B. Visual disturbances like yellow halos
C. Constipation
D. Hypertension
Answer: B
Rationale: Common signs of digoxin toxicity include visual changes (yellow/green halos),
nausea, vomiting, and bradycardia.
4. Which laboratory value is most critical to monitor for a patient receiving
Furosemide (Lasix)?
A. Serum Calcium
B. Serum Sodium
C. Serum Glucose
D. Serum Potassium
Answer: D
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes the loss of potassium; hypokalemia is
a significant risk factor for arrhythmias.
5. A patient newly prescribed Lisinopril for hypertension develops a dry,
persistent cough. What is the nurse’s best action?
A. Advise the patient to take the medication with food
B. Notify the provider as this is a common side effect of ACE inhibitors
C. Document the finding as a normal side effect
D. Instruct the patient to double the dose to suppress the cough
Answer: B
Rationale: A dry cough is a common side effect of ACE inhibitors due to the accumulation
of bradykinin and may require switching to an ARB.
, 6. Before administering a beta-blocker like Metoprolol, which assessment
should the nurse perform first?
A. Check for pedal edema
B. Assess for peripheral pulses
C. Check the apical pulse and blood pressure
D. Verify the patient’s weight
Answer: C
Rationale: Beta-blockers can cause bradycardia and hypotension; the medication should
be held if the pulse is below 60 bpm or systolic BP is low.
7. Which medication is the primary treatment for an acute anginal attack?
A. Atorvastatin
B. Warfarin
C. Metoprolol
D. Sublingual Nitroglycerin
Answer: D
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin is a vasodilator used to rapidly relieve chest pain in
acute angina by improving coronary blood flow.
8. What is the antidote for Heparin?
A. Protamine Sulfate
B. Glucagon
C. Vitamin K
D. Acetylcysteine
Answer: A
Rationale: Protamine sulfate is the specific antidote used to reverse the effects of heparin
in cases of overdose or hemorrhage.
