NUR242: Medical/Surgical Nursing Concepts Exam 2
Prep Questions and Correct Answers with Rationale |
Newest Update | Galen College of Nursing
1. A patient presents with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which ECG
change should the nurse expect to observe?
A. Prominent U waves
B. ST-segment depression
C. Prolonged PR interval
D. Tall, peaked T waves
Answer: D
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) typically causes tall, peaked T waves,
widening of the QRS complex, and potentially life-threatening arrhythmias.
2. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) result is consistent with a patient experiencing
a panic attack and hyperventilating?
A. pH 7.32, PaCO2 50, HCO3 24
B. pH 7.51, PaCO2 28, HCO3 24
C. pH 7.48, PaCO2 40, HCO3 30
D. pH 7.28, PaCO2 35, HCO3 18
Answer: B
,Rationale: Hyperventilation leads to excessive loss of CO2, resulting in respiratory
alkalosis (high pH and low PaCO2).
3. A nurse is caring for a patient with Chvostek’s sign and Trousseau’s sign.
Which electrolyte imbalance does the nurse suspect?
A. Hypermagnesemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Chvostek’s (facial twitch) and Trousseau’s (carpal spasm) signs are classic
indicators of neuromuscular irritability caused by hypocalcemia.
4. The nurse is assessing a patient with Cushing’s syndrome. Which clinical
manifestation is most characteristic of this disorder?
A. Weight loss and hypotension
B. Buffalo hump and moon face
C. Hyperpigmentation of the skin
D. Tachycardia and tremors
Answer: B
Rationale: Cushing’s syndrome is caused by excess cortisol, leading to fat redistribution
(moon face, buffalo hump, truncal obesity) and skin thinning.
, 5. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes is found unconscious with a blood glucose of
48 mg/dL. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer Glucagon IM or Subcutaneously
B. Administer 15g of oral glucose gel
C. Provide 4 ounces of orange juice
D. Give a complex carbohydrate snack
Answer: A
Rationale: For an unconscious patient with hypoglycemia, oral intake is unsafe due to
aspiration risk. Glucagon or IV Dextrose (D50) is the priority.
6. Which medication is considered the first-line therapy for Type 2 Diabetes to
decrease glucose production by the liver?
A. Metformin
B. Glipizide
C. Pioglitazone
D. Sitagliptin
Answer: A
Rationale: Metformin (a Biguanide) is the preferred initial pharmacological agent for Type
2 Diabetes because it reduces hepatic glucose production and improves insulin sensitivity.
Prep Questions and Correct Answers with Rationale |
Newest Update | Galen College of Nursing
1. A patient presents with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which ECG
change should the nurse expect to observe?
A. Prominent U waves
B. ST-segment depression
C. Prolonged PR interval
D. Tall, peaked T waves
Answer: D
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) typically causes tall, peaked T waves,
widening of the QRS complex, and potentially life-threatening arrhythmias.
2. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) result is consistent with a patient experiencing
a panic attack and hyperventilating?
A. pH 7.32, PaCO2 50, HCO3 24
B. pH 7.51, PaCO2 28, HCO3 24
C. pH 7.48, PaCO2 40, HCO3 30
D. pH 7.28, PaCO2 35, HCO3 18
Answer: B
,Rationale: Hyperventilation leads to excessive loss of CO2, resulting in respiratory
alkalosis (high pH and low PaCO2).
3. A nurse is caring for a patient with Chvostek’s sign and Trousseau’s sign.
Which electrolyte imbalance does the nurse suspect?
A. Hypermagnesemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Chvostek’s (facial twitch) and Trousseau’s (carpal spasm) signs are classic
indicators of neuromuscular irritability caused by hypocalcemia.
4. The nurse is assessing a patient with Cushing’s syndrome. Which clinical
manifestation is most characteristic of this disorder?
A. Weight loss and hypotension
B. Buffalo hump and moon face
C. Hyperpigmentation of the skin
D. Tachycardia and tremors
Answer: B
Rationale: Cushing’s syndrome is caused by excess cortisol, leading to fat redistribution
(moon face, buffalo hump, truncal obesity) and skin thinning.
, 5. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes is found unconscious with a blood glucose of
48 mg/dL. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer Glucagon IM or Subcutaneously
B. Administer 15g of oral glucose gel
C. Provide 4 ounces of orange juice
D. Give a complex carbohydrate snack
Answer: A
Rationale: For an unconscious patient with hypoglycemia, oral intake is unsafe due to
aspiration risk. Glucagon or IV Dextrose (D50) is the priority.
6. Which medication is considered the first-line therapy for Type 2 Diabetes to
decrease glucose production by the liver?
A. Metformin
B. Glipizide
C. Pioglitazone
D. Sitagliptin
Answer: A
Rationale: Metformin (a Biguanide) is the preferred initial pharmacological agent for Type
2 Diabetes because it reduces hepatic glucose production and improves insulin sensitivity.
