NUR242 Exam 3 V3 | NUR 242 Med-Surg Exam
Q&A | Galen College of Nursing
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This comprehensive exam-style resource is designed to prepare students for medical-surgical
nursing assessments focused on multisystem disorders, neurological emergencies, and
rehabilitation nursing care. The material emphasizes safe nursing interventions and evidence-
based adult healthcare management strategies.
The questions are structured to closely mirror actual course exams while reinforcing analytical
reasoning, nursing prioritization, and patient care decision-making skills. Detailed expert
explanations support deeper understanding and successful exam performance.
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The Exam Covers:
• Neurovascular assessment
• Parkinson’s disease management
• Orthopedic traction and casts
• Hematologic cancers
• Chronic pain management
• Adult rehabilitation nursing
• Mobility assistance and safety
• Adult care planning strategies
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1. A nurse is performing a neurovascular assessment on a patient with a lower leg cast. Which
finding should be reported to the provider immediately?
A. Capillary refill of 2 seconds
B. Patient reporting mild itching under the cast
C. Inability to wiggle the toes on the affected limb
,D. Warmth in the toes of the affected limb
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: The inability to move digits is a sign of paralysis, one of the late signs
of neurovascular compromise or compartment syndrome. This indicates significant nerve
or muscle damage and requires immediate medical intervention to prevent permanent loss
of function. Capillary refill of 2 seconds and warmth are normal findings.
2. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark sign of Parkinson’s disease?
A. Increased muscle tone and spasticity
B. Sudden onset of confusion and hallucinations
C. Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
D. Bradykinesia and pill-rolling tremors
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Parkinson’s disease is characterized by a triad of symptoms including
tremors (often pill-rolling), bradykinesia (slowness of movement), and muscle rigidity.
These symptoms result from a deficiency of dopamine in the substantia nigra.
Understanding these motor symptoms is essential for differentiating Parkinson’s from
other neurological disorders.
3. A patient in skeletal traction for a femur fracture reports severe pain that is not relieved by
the prescribed analgesic. What should the nurse do first?
A. Perform a neurovascular assessment
, B. Re-adjust the patient’s position in bed
C. Check the traction weights to ensure they are on the floor
D. Call the physician for a stronger medication order
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: The nurse must first assess the patient for potential complications
such as compartment syndrome or neurovascular impairment before taking other actions.
Unrelieved pain is often the first indicator of compartment syndrome, which is a medical
emergency. Once the assessment is complete, the nurse can determine the next appropriate
step.
4. A patient is diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor most closely for a common complication?
A. Serum Potassium
B. Serum Glucose
C. Serum Sodium
D. Serum Calcium
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Multiple Myeloma causes bone destruction, which leads to the
release of calcium into the bloodstream, causing hypercalcemia. High levels of calcium can
Q&A | Galen College of Nursing
────────────────────────────────────
This comprehensive exam-style resource is designed to prepare students for medical-surgical
nursing assessments focused on multisystem disorders, neurological emergencies, and
rehabilitation nursing care. The material emphasizes safe nursing interventions and evidence-
based adult healthcare management strategies.
The questions are structured to closely mirror actual course exams while reinforcing analytical
reasoning, nursing prioritization, and patient care decision-making skills. Detailed expert
explanations support deeper understanding and successful exam performance.
════════════════════════════════════
The Exam Covers:
• Neurovascular assessment
• Parkinson’s disease management
• Orthopedic traction and casts
• Hematologic cancers
• Chronic pain management
• Adult rehabilitation nursing
• Mobility assistance and safety
• Adult care planning strategies
════════════════════════════════════
1. A nurse is performing a neurovascular assessment on a patient with a lower leg cast. Which
finding should be reported to the provider immediately?
A. Capillary refill of 2 seconds
B. Patient reporting mild itching under the cast
C. Inability to wiggle the toes on the affected limb
,D. Warmth in the toes of the affected limb
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: The inability to move digits is a sign of paralysis, one of the late signs
of neurovascular compromise or compartment syndrome. This indicates significant nerve
or muscle damage and requires immediate medical intervention to prevent permanent loss
of function. Capillary refill of 2 seconds and warmth are normal findings.
2. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark sign of Parkinson’s disease?
A. Increased muscle tone and spasticity
B. Sudden onset of confusion and hallucinations
C. Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
D. Bradykinesia and pill-rolling tremors
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Parkinson’s disease is characterized by a triad of symptoms including
tremors (often pill-rolling), bradykinesia (slowness of movement), and muscle rigidity.
These symptoms result from a deficiency of dopamine in the substantia nigra.
Understanding these motor symptoms is essential for differentiating Parkinson’s from
other neurological disorders.
3. A patient in skeletal traction for a femur fracture reports severe pain that is not relieved by
the prescribed analgesic. What should the nurse do first?
A. Perform a neurovascular assessment
, B. Re-adjust the patient’s position in bed
C. Check the traction weights to ensure they are on the floor
D. Call the physician for a stronger medication order
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: The nurse must first assess the patient for potential complications
such as compartment syndrome or neurovascular impairment before taking other actions.
Unrelieved pain is often the first indicator of compartment syndrome, which is a medical
emergency. Once the assessment is complete, the nurse can determine the next appropriate
step.
4. A patient is diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor most closely for a common complication?
A. Serum Potassium
B. Serum Glucose
C. Serum Sodium
D. Serum Calcium
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Multiple Myeloma causes bone destruction, which leads to the
release of calcium into the bloodstream, causing hypercalcemia. High levels of calcium can
