NUR 265
Advanced Concepts of Medical-Surgical
Nursing
Exam 2 Questions & Answers
2026/2027 Academic Year
Galen College of Nursing
Welcome to the NUR 265 Advanced Concepts of Medical-
Surgical Nursing Exam 2 Practice Resource, designed to help
nursing students strengthen their understanding of key
concepts and prepare effectively for their first course
assessment.
This resource provides a focused collection of original
practice questions, answer explanations, and rationales
covering major concepts commonly encountered in advanced
medical-surgical nursing. The questions are designed to
encourage clinical reasoning, application of nursing
knowledge, and recognition of appropriate patient-care
priorities.
NURSE_PAULA
, 1. A patient with chronic heart failure develops
progressive shortness of breath, fatigue, and peripheral
edema. Which pathophysiologic mechanism best explains the
edema?
A. Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Increased plasma oncotic pressure
C. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
D. Increased lymphatic drainage
Answer: C. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
Rationale: Heart failure can increase venous pressure,
raising capillary hydrostatic pressure and pushing fluid
into the interstitial space, producing peripheral edema.
2. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of
left-sided heart failure?
A. Jugular venous distention
B. Pulmonary crackles
C. Dependent peripheral edema
D. Ascites
Answer: B. Pulmonary crackles
Rationale: Left ventricular failure causes blood to back
up into the pulmonary circulation, producing pulmonary
congestion, crackles, dyspnea, and possibly pulmonary
edema.
NURSE_PAULA 1
Advanced Concepts of Medical-Surgical
Nursing
Exam 2 Questions & Answers
2026/2027 Academic Year
Galen College of Nursing
Welcome to the NUR 265 Advanced Concepts of Medical-
Surgical Nursing Exam 2 Practice Resource, designed to help
nursing students strengthen their understanding of key
concepts and prepare effectively for their first course
assessment.
This resource provides a focused collection of original
practice questions, answer explanations, and rationales
covering major concepts commonly encountered in advanced
medical-surgical nursing. The questions are designed to
encourage clinical reasoning, application of nursing
knowledge, and recognition of appropriate patient-care
priorities.
NURSE_PAULA
, 1. A patient with chronic heart failure develops
progressive shortness of breath, fatigue, and peripheral
edema. Which pathophysiologic mechanism best explains the
edema?
A. Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Increased plasma oncotic pressure
C. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
D. Increased lymphatic drainage
Answer: C. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
Rationale: Heart failure can increase venous pressure,
raising capillary hydrostatic pressure and pushing fluid
into the interstitial space, producing peripheral edema.
2. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of
left-sided heart failure?
A. Jugular venous distention
B. Pulmonary crackles
C. Dependent peripheral edema
D. Ascites
Answer: B. Pulmonary crackles
Rationale: Left ventricular failure causes blood to back
up into the pulmonary circulation, producing pulmonary
congestion, crackles, dyspnea, and possibly pulmonary
edema.
NURSE_PAULA 1
