NUR 170 Medical Surgical Nursing Exam 2 Study Guide 2026 Galen
College
1. A patient’s blood gas results are: pH 7.32, PaCO2 52, HCO3 24. How should
the nurse interpret these findings?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: The pH is low (acidosis) and the PaCO2 is high (respiratory component), while
the HCO3 is normal, indicating respiratory acidosis.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is most associated with the presence of a
positive Chvostek’s sign?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Chvostek’s sign, a facial twitching when the facial nerve is tapped, is a classic
sign of hypocalcemia or neuromuscular irritability.
,3. A patient is receiving a potassium-wasting diuretic. Which food choice
indicates the patient understands the necessary dietary adjustments?
A. White bread
B. Applesauce
C. Baked potato with skin
D. Processed cheese
Answer: C
Rationale: Potatoes, especially with skin, are high in potassium, which helps replace losses
caused by potassium-wasting diuretics.
4. What is the primary goal of the ‘time-out’ procedure in the operating room?
A. To verify patient identity, site, and procedure
B. To allow the surgeon to rest
C. To document the start of anesthesia
D. To count surgical sponges
Answer: A
Rationale: The ‘time-out’ is a safety protocol to ensure the correct patient, correct site, and
correct procedure are performed before the incision.
5. Which clinical manifestation is a late sign of hypoxia?
A. Restlessness
B. Tachycardia
C. Cyanosis
D. Anxiety
Answer: C
Rationale: Cyanosis is a late sign of hypoxia; restlessness and tachycardia are early
compensatory mechanisms.
, 6. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes is found unconscious and clammy. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer 10 units of regular insulin
B. Check blood glucose levels
C. Administer glucagon IM or IV dextrose
D. Call the family
Answer: C
Rationale: In an emergency where the patient is unconscious and hypoglycemia is
suspected, immediate administration of glucose or glucagon is the priority.
7. Which medication is considered a ‘rescue’ inhaler for acute asthma
symptoms?
A. Albuterol
B. Salmeterol
C. Fluticasone
D. Tiotropium
Answer: A
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) used for rapid relief of
bronchospasm.
8. A nurse is caring for a patient with a DVT. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Calf tenderness
B. Warmth in the lower extremity
C. Pitting edema +1
D. Sudden shortness of breath
Answer: D
Rationale: Sudden shortness of breath suggests a pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening
complication of deep vein thrombosis.
College
1. A patient’s blood gas results are: pH 7.32, PaCO2 52, HCO3 24. How should
the nurse interpret these findings?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: The pH is low (acidosis) and the PaCO2 is high (respiratory component), while
the HCO3 is normal, indicating respiratory acidosis.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is most associated with the presence of a
positive Chvostek’s sign?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Chvostek’s sign, a facial twitching when the facial nerve is tapped, is a classic
sign of hypocalcemia or neuromuscular irritability.
,3. A patient is receiving a potassium-wasting diuretic. Which food choice
indicates the patient understands the necessary dietary adjustments?
A. White bread
B. Applesauce
C. Baked potato with skin
D. Processed cheese
Answer: C
Rationale: Potatoes, especially with skin, are high in potassium, which helps replace losses
caused by potassium-wasting diuretics.
4. What is the primary goal of the ‘time-out’ procedure in the operating room?
A. To verify patient identity, site, and procedure
B. To allow the surgeon to rest
C. To document the start of anesthesia
D. To count surgical sponges
Answer: A
Rationale: The ‘time-out’ is a safety protocol to ensure the correct patient, correct site, and
correct procedure are performed before the incision.
5. Which clinical manifestation is a late sign of hypoxia?
A. Restlessness
B. Tachycardia
C. Cyanosis
D. Anxiety
Answer: C
Rationale: Cyanosis is a late sign of hypoxia; restlessness and tachycardia are early
compensatory mechanisms.
, 6. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes is found unconscious and clammy. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer 10 units of regular insulin
B. Check blood glucose levels
C. Administer glucagon IM or IV dextrose
D. Call the family
Answer: C
Rationale: In an emergency where the patient is unconscious and hypoglycemia is
suspected, immediate administration of glucose or glucagon is the priority.
7. Which medication is considered a ‘rescue’ inhaler for acute asthma
symptoms?
A. Albuterol
B. Salmeterol
C. Fluticasone
D. Tiotropium
Answer: A
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) used for rapid relief of
bronchospasm.
8. A nurse is caring for a patient with a DVT. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Calf tenderness
B. Warmth in the lower extremity
C. Pitting edema +1
D. Sudden shortness of breath
Answer: D
Rationale: Sudden shortness of breath suggests a pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening
complication of deep vein thrombosis.
