NUR242 Final Exam V1 | NUR 242 Med-Surg
Exam Q&A | Galen College of Nursing
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This final exam preparation resource is designed to provide a comprehensive review of medical-
surgical nursing concepts, adult patient care management, and evidence-based nursing
interventions covered throughout the course. The material integrates major nursing concepts
into a realistic exam-style format.
The questions included in this version are structured to closely mirror actual final exam
assessments and strengthen clinical reasoning and nursing decision-making skills. Detailed
expert explanations are included to improve concept integration and exam readiness.
════════════════════════════════════
The Exam Covers:
• Cardiovascular and respiratory disorders
• Neurological nursing care
• Renal and endocrine disorders
• Gastrointestinal nursing management
• Critical care nursing concepts
• Adult pharmacology review
• Patient safety and prioritization
• Comprehensive medical-surgical review
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1. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving oxygen therapy.
Which of the following is the most important nursing consideration?
A. Limit oxygen flow to 2-3 liters per minute to prevent respiratory depression.
B. Provide oxygen at 10 liters via non-rebreather mask regardless of symptoms.
C. Maintain oxygen saturation levels between 98% and 100%.
,D. Encourage the patient to breathe rapidly and shallowly.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Patients with COPD may rely on a hypoxic drive to breathe; high
levels of oxygen can suppress this drive, leading to CO2 retention and respiratory arrest.
Maintaining a lower flow rate is standard practice unless the patient is in acute distress.
2. A client is diagnosed with Left-Sided Heart Failure. Which clinical manifestation should the
nurse expect to assess?
A. Crackles or wheezing in the lungs.
B. Jugular venous distention (JVD).
C. Peripheral edema in the lower extremities.
D. Splenomegaly and hepatomegaly.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the pulmonary
circulation, leading to pulmonary congestion, crackles, and shortness of breath. The other
options are signs of right-sided heart failure.
3. A patient is admitted with a Suspected Stroke. According to the FAST acronym, what does
the ‘S’ stand for?
A. Strength of the limbs.
B. Sudden headache.
, C. Sight or vision changes.
D. Speech difficulty.
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The FAST acronym stands for Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech
difficulty, and Time to call 911. Speech difficulty includes slurred speech or inability to
speak clearly.
4. Which laboratory value is most critical for a nurse to monitor in a patient receiving
intravenous Heparin?
A. Prothrombin Time (PT).
B. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT).
C. International Normalized Ratio (INR).
D. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c).
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: aPTT is used to monitor the effectiveness and safety of Heparin
therapy. PT and INR are typically used for Warfarin therapy.
5. A client with Type 1 Diabetes is found unresponsive and clammy. What is the priority
nursing action?
A. Administer 10 units of regular insulin.
B. Provide a high-fiber snack.
Exam Q&A | Galen College of Nursing
────────────────────────────────────
This final exam preparation resource is designed to provide a comprehensive review of medical-
surgical nursing concepts, adult patient care management, and evidence-based nursing
interventions covered throughout the course. The material integrates major nursing concepts
into a realistic exam-style format.
The questions included in this version are structured to closely mirror actual final exam
assessments and strengthen clinical reasoning and nursing decision-making skills. Detailed
expert explanations are included to improve concept integration and exam readiness.
════════════════════════════════════
The Exam Covers:
• Cardiovascular and respiratory disorders
• Neurological nursing care
• Renal and endocrine disorders
• Gastrointestinal nursing management
• Critical care nursing concepts
• Adult pharmacology review
• Patient safety and prioritization
• Comprehensive medical-surgical review
════════════════════════════════════
1. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving oxygen therapy.
Which of the following is the most important nursing consideration?
A. Limit oxygen flow to 2-3 liters per minute to prevent respiratory depression.
B. Provide oxygen at 10 liters via non-rebreather mask regardless of symptoms.
C. Maintain oxygen saturation levels between 98% and 100%.
,D. Encourage the patient to breathe rapidly and shallowly.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Patients with COPD may rely on a hypoxic drive to breathe; high
levels of oxygen can suppress this drive, leading to CO2 retention and respiratory arrest.
Maintaining a lower flow rate is standard practice unless the patient is in acute distress.
2. A client is diagnosed with Left-Sided Heart Failure. Which clinical manifestation should the
nurse expect to assess?
A. Crackles or wheezing in the lungs.
B. Jugular venous distention (JVD).
C. Peripheral edema in the lower extremities.
D. Splenomegaly and hepatomegaly.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the pulmonary
circulation, leading to pulmonary congestion, crackles, and shortness of breath. The other
options are signs of right-sided heart failure.
3. A patient is admitted with a Suspected Stroke. According to the FAST acronym, what does
the ‘S’ stand for?
A. Strength of the limbs.
B. Sudden headache.
, C. Sight or vision changes.
D. Speech difficulty.
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The FAST acronym stands for Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech
difficulty, and Time to call 911. Speech difficulty includes slurred speech or inability to
speak clearly.
4. Which laboratory value is most critical for a nurse to monitor in a patient receiving
intravenous Heparin?
A. Prothrombin Time (PT).
B. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT).
C. International Normalized Ratio (INR).
D. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c).
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: aPTT is used to monitor the effectiveness and safety of Heparin
therapy. PT and INR are typically used for Warfarin therapy.
5. A client with Type 1 Diabetes is found unresponsive and clammy. What is the priority
nursing action?
A. Administer 10 units of regular insulin.
B. Provide a high-fiber snack.
