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NSG 3850 Exam 2 Galen College Of Nursing Actual Exam 2026-
2027 BANK QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED VERIFIED
ANSWERS EXAM QUESTIONS WILL COME FROM HERE
(100% CORRECT ANSWERS A+ GRADED
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected appendicitis. Which
assessment finding is most indicative of a retrocecal appendix?
A. Pain localized to the right lower quadrant with rebound tenderness.
B. Flank pain with an absence of significant abdominal rigidity.
C. Periumbilical pain that migrates to the right lower quadrant.
D. Deep visceral pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
Answer: B. Flank pain with an absence of significant abdominal rigidity.
Explanation: A retrocecal appendix is positioned behind the cecum and
may not contact the parietal peritoneum in the same way an anterior
appendix does, which means the classic signs of peritoneal irritation,
such as rigidity, may be absent. The inflamed structure can irritate
nearby structures like the psoas muscle or ureter, manifesting as flank
or back pain and potentially misleading the clinical picture.
2. A patient presents with severe epigastric pain that radiates to the
back and is relieved by leaning forward. The nurse recognizes these
findings are characteristic of which condition?
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A. Acute cholecystitis
B. Acute pancreatitis
C. Perforated gastric ulcer
D. Myocardial infarction
Answer: B. Acute pancreatitis
Explanation: The retroperitoneal location of the pancreas means that
inflammation can cause pain radiating directly through to the back. The
relief achieved by leaning forward is a classic positional finding, as this
posture reduces tension and pressure on the inflamed organ from
surrounding abdominal structures.
3. Which laboratory value is most specific for evaluating acute
pancreatitis upon initial presentation?
A. Elevated serum amylase
B. Elevated serum lipase
C. Elevated white blood cell count
D. Elevated C-reactive protein
Answer: B. Elevated serum lipase
Explanation: While serum amylase is often elevated in acute
pancreatitis, it has a shorter half-life and can be elevated in other
conditions such as parotitis or macroamylasemia. Serum lipase is more
specific to pancreatic tissue damage, remains elevated longer, and is
the preferred diagnostic marker for acute pancreatitis.
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4. A nurse is caring for a patient with cirrhosis who is experiencing
ascites. Which intervention is most critical to implement?
A. Encouraging liberal fluid intake to maintain renal perfusion.
B. Measuring abdominal girth daily at the same level of the umbilicus.
C. Placing the patient in a supine position to ease respiratory effort.
D. Restricting protein intake to prevent hepatic encephalopathy.
Answer: B. Measuring abdominal girth daily at the same level of the
umbilicus.
Explanation: Accurate and consistent daily measurement of abdominal
girth provides objective data on the progression or resolution of ascitic
fluid accumulation. Inconsistencies in the measurement location can
lead to false assessments of the condition’s trajectory.
5. A patient with acute liver failure develops asterixis. The nurse
understands this finding is directly related to the accumulation of which
substance?
A. Bilirubin
B. Ammonia
C. Creatinine
D. Albumin
Answer: B. Ammonia
Explanation: Asterixis, or liver flap, is a classic neuromuscular sign of
hepatic encephalopathy. It results from the failure of the liver to
metabolize ammonia into urea, leading to elevated serum ammonia
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levels that cross the blood-brain barrier and interfere with cerebral
function.
6. Which assessment parameter is the priority for a nurse to monitor
when a patient is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) with a high
dextrose concentration?
A. Daily weight
B. Capillary blood glucose
C. Serum electrolyte levels
D. Intake and output
Answer: B. Capillary blood glucose
Explanation: High-dextrose TPN solutions deliver a significant glucose
load, causing a rapid rise in blood glucose levels. Hyperglycemia is a
critical complication that can lead to osmotic diuresis, dehydration, and
hyperosmolar states, necessitating frequent monitoring, especially
during the initial infusion period.
7. A patient who underwent a total thyroidectomy develops muscle
cramps, tingling of the lips, and a positive Chvostek sign. The nurse
should anticipate an order for which intravenous medication?
A. Calcium gluconate
B. Regular insulin
C. Potassium chloride
D. Sodium bicarbonate
Answer: A. Calcium gluconate
NSG 3850 Exam 2 Galen College Of Nursing Actual Exam 2026-
2027 BANK QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED VERIFIED
ANSWERS EXAM QUESTIONS WILL COME FROM HERE
(100% CORRECT ANSWERS A+ GRADED
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected appendicitis. Which
assessment finding is most indicative of a retrocecal appendix?
A. Pain localized to the right lower quadrant with rebound tenderness.
B. Flank pain with an absence of significant abdominal rigidity.
C. Periumbilical pain that migrates to the right lower quadrant.
D. Deep visceral pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
Answer: B. Flank pain with an absence of significant abdominal rigidity.
Explanation: A retrocecal appendix is positioned behind the cecum and
may not contact the parietal peritoneum in the same way an anterior
appendix does, which means the classic signs of peritoneal irritation,
such as rigidity, may be absent. The inflamed structure can irritate
nearby structures like the psoas muscle or ureter, manifesting as flank
or back pain and potentially misleading the clinical picture.
2. A patient presents with severe epigastric pain that radiates to the
back and is relieved by leaning forward. The nurse recognizes these
findings are characteristic of which condition?
,2|Page
A. Acute cholecystitis
B. Acute pancreatitis
C. Perforated gastric ulcer
D. Myocardial infarction
Answer: B. Acute pancreatitis
Explanation: The retroperitoneal location of the pancreas means that
inflammation can cause pain radiating directly through to the back. The
relief achieved by leaning forward is a classic positional finding, as this
posture reduces tension and pressure on the inflamed organ from
surrounding abdominal structures.
3. Which laboratory value is most specific for evaluating acute
pancreatitis upon initial presentation?
A. Elevated serum amylase
B. Elevated serum lipase
C. Elevated white blood cell count
D. Elevated C-reactive protein
Answer: B. Elevated serum lipase
Explanation: While serum amylase is often elevated in acute
pancreatitis, it has a shorter half-life and can be elevated in other
conditions such as parotitis or macroamylasemia. Serum lipase is more
specific to pancreatic tissue damage, remains elevated longer, and is
the preferred diagnostic marker for acute pancreatitis.
,3|Page
4. A nurse is caring for a patient with cirrhosis who is experiencing
ascites. Which intervention is most critical to implement?
A. Encouraging liberal fluid intake to maintain renal perfusion.
B. Measuring abdominal girth daily at the same level of the umbilicus.
C. Placing the patient in a supine position to ease respiratory effort.
D. Restricting protein intake to prevent hepatic encephalopathy.
Answer: B. Measuring abdominal girth daily at the same level of the
umbilicus.
Explanation: Accurate and consistent daily measurement of abdominal
girth provides objective data on the progression or resolution of ascitic
fluid accumulation. Inconsistencies in the measurement location can
lead to false assessments of the condition’s trajectory.
5. A patient with acute liver failure develops asterixis. The nurse
understands this finding is directly related to the accumulation of which
substance?
A. Bilirubin
B. Ammonia
C. Creatinine
D. Albumin
Answer: B. Ammonia
Explanation: Asterixis, or liver flap, is a classic neuromuscular sign of
hepatic encephalopathy. It results from the failure of the liver to
metabolize ammonia into urea, leading to elevated serum ammonia
, 4|Page
levels that cross the blood-brain barrier and interfere with cerebral
function.
6. Which assessment parameter is the priority for a nurse to monitor
when a patient is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) with a high
dextrose concentration?
A. Daily weight
B. Capillary blood glucose
C. Serum electrolyte levels
D. Intake and output
Answer: B. Capillary blood glucose
Explanation: High-dextrose TPN solutions deliver a significant glucose
load, causing a rapid rise in blood glucose levels. Hyperglycemia is a
critical complication that can lead to osmotic diuresis, dehydration, and
hyperosmolar states, necessitating frequent monitoring, especially
during the initial infusion period.
7. A patient who underwent a total thyroidectomy develops muscle
cramps, tingling of the lips, and a positive Chvostek sign. The nurse
should anticipate an order for which intravenous medication?
A. Calcium gluconate
B. Regular insulin
C. Potassium chloride
D. Sodium bicarbonate
Answer: A. Calcium gluconate
