NUR242: Medical/Surgical Nursing Concepts Final
Exam Questions and Correct Answers with Rationale |
Newest Update | Galen College of Nursing
1. A patient with left-sided heart failure is most likely to exhibit which of the
following clinical manifestations?
A. Jugular venous distension
B. Peripheral edema
C. Hepatosplenomegaly
D. Crackles in the lungs
Answer: D
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the pulmonary circulation,
leading to pulmonary congestion and crackles. The other options are signs of right-sided
heart failure.
2. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) result is indicative of respiratory acidosis?
A. pH 7.50, PaCO2 40, HCO3 32
B. pH 7.48, PaCO2 30, HCO3 23
C. pH 7.25, PaCO2 38, HCO3 18
D. pH 7.30, PaCO2 52, HCO3 24
Answer: D
,Rationale: Respiratory acidosis is characterized by a low pH (<7.35) and an elevated
PaCO2 (>45 mmHg).
3. A nurse is caring for a patient with a blood glucose level of 55 mg/dL. The
patient is conscious and able to swallow. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer 15 grams of simple carbohydrates orally
B. Administer 1 mg glucagon IM
C. Administer 50% Dextrose IV push
D. Recheck the blood glucose in 30 minutes
Answer: A
Rationale: According to the ‘Rule of 15’, if the patient is conscious and can swallow, 15g of
simple carbs (like juice) is the first-line treatment for hypoglycemia.
4. Which of the following is a classic clinical manifestation of a Pulmonary
Embolism (PE)?
A. Bradycardia and hypertension
B. Slowly progressing productive cough
C. Sudden onset of shortness of breath and chest pain
D. Pain relief when leaning forward
Answer: C
Rationale: The most common symptoms of PE are sudden dyspnea, tachypnea, and
pleuritic chest pain.
, 5. A patient with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) should be instructed to limit
which of the following nutrients?
A. Calcium
B. Potassium
C. Iron
D. Vitamin C
Answer: B
Rationale: CKD causes the kidneys’ ability to excrete potassium to decrease, leading to
hyperkalemia, which can cause fatal dysrhythmias.
6. A nurse is monitoring a patient post-thyroidectomy. The patient reports
tingling in the fingers and toes. The nurse should suspect which complication?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Thyroid storm
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Accidental removal or damage to the parathyroid glands during thyroidectomy
leads to hypocalcemia, characterized by paresthesia and tetany.
Exam Questions and Correct Answers with Rationale |
Newest Update | Galen College of Nursing
1. A patient with left-sided heart failure is most likely to exhibit which of the
following clinical manifestations?
A. Jugular venous distension
B. Peripheral edema
C. Hepatosplenomegaly
D. Crackles in the lungs
Answer: D
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the pulmonary circulation,
leading to pulmonary congestion and crackles. The other options are signs of right-sided
heart failure.
2. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) result is indicative of respiratory acidosis?
A. pH 7.50, PaCO2 40, HCO3 32
B. pH 7.48, PaCO2 30, HCO3 23
C. pH 7.25, PaCO2 38, HCO3 18
D. pH 7.30, PaCO2 52, HCO3 24
Answer: D
,Rationale: Respiratory acidosis is characterized by a low pH (<7.35) and an elevated
PaCO2 (>45 mmHg).
3. A nurse is caring for a patient with a blood glucose level of 55 mg/dL. The
patient is conscious and able to swallow. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer 15 grams of simple carbohydrates orally
B. Administer 1 mg glucagon IM
C. Administer 50% Dextrose IV push
D. Recheck the blood glucose in 30 minutes
Answer: A
Rationale: According to the ‘Rule of 15’, if the patient is conscious and can swallow, 15g of
simple carbs (like juice) is the first-line treatment for hypoglycemia.
4. Which of the following is a classic clinical manifestation of a Pulmonary
Embolism (PE)?
A. Bradycardia and hypertension
B. Slowly progressing productive cough
C. Sudden onset of shortness of breath and chest pain
D. Pain relief when leaning forward
Answer: C
Rationale: The most common symptoms of PE are sudden dyspnea, tachypnea, and
pleuritic chest pain.
, 5. A patient with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) should be instructed to limit
which of the following nutrients?
A. Calcium
B. Potassium
C. Iron
D. Vitamin C
Answer: B
Rationale: CKD causes the kidneys’ ability to excrete potassium to decrease, leading to
hyperkalemia, which can cause fatal dysrhythmias.
6. A nurse is monitoring a patient post-thyroidectomy. The patient reports
tingling in the fingers and toes. The nurse should suspect which complication?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Thyroid storm
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Accidental removal or damage to the parathyroid glands during thyroidectomy
leads to hypocalcemia, characterized by paresthesia and tetany.
