Galen NUR 242 Medical-Surgical Nursing
Exam 1,2,3,4 & Final Exam | Actual Exam
2026/2027 Questions with Verified Detailed
Solutions | 100% Guaranteed Pass (New
Version)
NUR 242 at Galen College of Nursing is a Medical-Surgical
Nursing course. Exam descriptions focus on pathophysiological
concepts, clinical decision-making, and medication
management. Expert compilation of 400+-question test bank
set to prepare for the progressive, heavily case-based HESI and
ATI-style exams.
Exam Focus Areas
Exam 1: Pain management, fluid and electrolytes,
perioperative care, and immune responses. ………Pg. 1
Exam 2: Cardiovascular, hematological, and respiratory
disorders…. Pg. 17
Exam 3: Endocrine, gastrointestinal, and renal system
pathologies……Pg. 49
Exam 4: Neurological, musculoskeletal, and integumentary
disorders…. Pg. 85
Final Exam: Comprehensive review of all modules, testing
priority-based clinical judgment. …. Pg. 123
1
,Q1. A patient has a pressure ulcer on the right heel. Which action should the
nurse take first? [Multiple Choice]
A) Apply an occlusive dressing to the heel ulcer
B) Assess the patient's leg pulses and cap refill
C) Schedule the patient for immediate surgical debridement
D) Place the patient on broad-spectrum IV antibiotics
Answer: Assess the patient's leg pulses and cap refill
Explanation: When caring for a pressure ulcer on the heel, the nurse should first assess
circulation to the area — pulses and capillary refill indicate perfusion and help determine
whether the tissue is viable. This assessment guides treatment decisions. The other options are
not first actions: immediately applying dressings, ordering surgery, or starting antibiotics may be
needed later but without first assessing perfusion you lack essential information. Assessing
circulation is the priority step.
Q2. A postoperative client has extreme pain that worsens during physical
therapy. Which pain-management strategy should the nurse include in the care
plan? [Multiple Choice]
A) Withhold analgesics during physical therapy sessions
B) Only PRN analgesics as requested by the patient
C) Round the clock analgesic with PRN analgesics
D) Use nonpharmacologic measures exclusively for pain control
Answer: Round the clock analgesic with PRN analgesics
Explanation: For severe postoperative pain that intensifies during physical therapy, a scheduled
(around-the-clock) analgesic regimen helps maintain baseline pain control so the patient can
participate in therapy, with additional PRN doses for breakthrough pain. This approach prevents
pain peaks and improves function. The other options are less appropriate: only PRN dosing may
not provide steady control, withholding analgesia during PT will hinder participation, and relying
solely on nonpharmacologic methods is unlikely to manage severe postoperative pain effectively.
Q3. A patient with MRSA is on contact precautions and requires a CT scan. What
is the most appropriate nursing action before transport? [Multiple Choice]
A) Ask the patient to remove isolation labels before transport
B) Call Radiology and make them aware of the isolation precaution
2
, C) Transport the patient without comment and let staff discover the precautions
D) Cancel the CT because the patient has an infectious organism
Answer: Call Radiology and make them aware of the isolation precaution
Explanation: When transporting a patient on contact precautions (for example, with MRSA) to
another department, the nurse should notify the receiving area so they can prepare appropriate
infection-control measures and minimize exposure. Simply transferring the patient without
notification risks spreading the organism. The other options are wrong because they either
ignore the need to communicate isolation status (doing nothing), suggest cancelling necessary
diagnostics without cause, or assume the receiving department will automatically know — which
may not be true. Clear communication is the safe, correct action.
Q4. Which set of infections should prompt DROPLET precautions? [Multiple Choice]
A) Gastroenteritis and Hepatitis A
B) TB, Measles, and Varicella
C) Influenza, Pneumonia, and Meningitis
D) MRSA and Pediculosis
Answer: Influenza, Pneumonia, and Meningitis
Explanation: Droplet precautions are used for pathogens spread by large respiratory droplets
that travel short distances (usually within about 3 feet). Influenza, pneumonia, and meningitis
are identified as infections requiring droplet precautions, which include wearing a surgical mask
when within close contact. The other choices are incorrect because MRSA/pediculosis use
standard precautions, TB/measles/varicella require airborne precautions which are more
stringent, and bloodborne infections require blood/body-fluid precautions rather than droplet-
specific measures.
Q5. A nurse should report 200 mL of sanguineous wound-drain output on the
second postoperative day to the surgeon. [True/False]
A) True
B) False
Answer: True
Explanation: Sanguineous drainage indicates the presence of blood in wound output. On the
second postoperative day, an output of 200 mL of sanguineous fluid is a notable finding that may
indicate ongoing bleeding and therefore should be reported to the surgeon as a priority.
Q6. Which group of infections requires AIRBORNE precautions? [Multiple Choice]
3
, A) MRSA and Pediculosis
B) Influenza, Pneumonia, and Meningitis
C) Hepatitis A and C
D) TB, Measles, and Varicella
Answer: TB, Measles, and Varicella
Explanation: Airborne precautions are used for pathogens that can travel on very small droplet
nuclei and remain suspended in air. TB, measles, and varicella are classic airborne infections and
require airborne precautions such as negative-pressure rooms and N95 respirators. The other
options are incorrect because they list infections that need either standard or droplet precautions
(MRSA/pediculosis are standard; influenza/pneumonia/meningitis are droplet) rather than
airborne measures.
Q7. A postoperative diabetic patient develops wound evisceration. What is the
most appropriate immediate nursing action? [Multiple Choice]
A) Cover the wound with sterile gauze, moistened with sterile normal saline
B) Place an occlusive dry dressing and ambulate the patient
C) Leave the wound open to air and notify the surgeon
D) Attempt to reinsert the eviscerated organs back into the abdomen
Answer: Cover the wound with sterile gauze, moistened with sterile normal saline
Explanation: Wound evisceration (viscera protruding through a surgical incision) is an
emergency. The immediate nursing action is to protect exposed organs by covering them with
sterile, saline-moistened gauze to prevent drying, contamination, and further injury while
awaiting surgical intervention. The other options are incorrect as initial steps: attempting to push
organs back in risks further damage, leaving the wound exposed increases contamination, and
only calling the surgeon without protective measures delays essential immediate care. Moist
sterile dressings stabilize and protect the tissues until the surgeon arrives.
Q8. Which client is at greatest risk for developing a pressure ulcer? [Multiple Choice]
A) 50 year old with controlled diabetes who bathes independently
B) 68 year old with left sided paralysis
C) 72 year old who ambulated with a walker today
D) 45 year old ambulatory patient on IV antibiotics
Answer: 68 year old with left sided paralysis
4
Exam 1,2,3,4 & Final Exam | Actual Exam
2026/2027 Questions with Verified Detailed
Solutions | 100% Guaranteed Pass (New
Version)
NUR 242 at Galen College of Nursing is a Medical-Surgical
Nursing course. Exam descriptions focus on pathophysiological
concepts, clinical decision-making, and medication
management. Expert compilation of 400+-question test bank
set to prepare for the progressive, heavily case-based HESI and
ATI-style exams.
Exam Focus Areas
Exam 1: Pain management, fluid and electrolytes,
perioperative care, and immune responses. ………Pg. 1
Exam 2: Cardiovascular, hematological, and respiratory
disorders…. Pg. 17
Exam 3: Endocrine, gastrointestinal, and renal system
pathologies……Pg. 49
Exam 4: Neurological, musculoskeletal, and integumentary
disorders…. Pg. 85
Final Exam: Comprehensive review of all modules, testing
priority-based clinical judgment. …. Pg. 123
1
,Q1. A patient has a pressure ulcer on the right heel. Which action should the
nurse take first? [Multiple Choice]
A) Apply an occlusive dressing to the heel ulcer
B) Assess the patient's leg pulses and cap refill
C) Schedule the patient for immediate surgical debridement
D) Place the patient on broad-spectrum IV antibiotics
Answer: Assess the patient's leg pulses and cap refill
Explanation: When caring for a pressure ulcer on the heel, the nurse should first assess
circulation to the area — pulses and capillary refill indicate perfusion and help determine
whether the tissue is viable. This assessment guides treatment decisions. The other options are
not first actions: immediately applying dressings, ordering surgery, or starting antibiotics may be
needed later but without first assessing perfusion you lack essential information. Assessing
circulation is the priority step.
Q2. A postoperative client has extreme pain that worsens during physical
therapy. Which pain-management strategy should the nurse include in the care
plan? [Multiple Choice]
A) Withhold analgesics during physical therapy sessions
B) Only PRN analgesics as requested by the patient
C) Round the clock analgesic with PRN analgesics
D) Use nonpharmacologic measures exclusively for pain control
Answer: Round the clock analgesic with PRN analgesics
Explanation: For severe postoperative pain that intensifies during physical therapy, a scheduled
(around-the-clock) analgesic regimen helps maintain baseline pain control so the patient can
participate in therapy, with additional PRN doses for breakthrough pain. This approach prevents
pain peaks and improves function. The other options are less appropriate: only PRN dosing may
not provide steady control, withholding analgesia during PT will hinder participation, and relying
solely on nonpharmacologic methods is unlikely to manage severe postoperative pain effectively.
Q3. A patient with MRSA is on contact precautions and requires a CT scan. What
is the most appropriate nursing action before transport? [Multiple Choice]
A) Ask the patient to remove isolation labels before transport
B) Call Radiology and make them aware of the isolation precaution
2
, C) Transport the patient without comment and let staff discover the precautions
D) Cancel the CT because the patient has an infectious organism
Answer: Call Radiology and make them aware of the isolation precaution
Explanation: When transporting a patient on contact precautions (for example, with MRSA) to
another department, the nurse should notify the receiving area so they can prepare appropriate
infection-control measures and minimize exposure. Simply transferring the patient without
notification risks spreading the organism. The other options are wrong because they either
ignore the need to communicate isolation status (doing nothing), suggest cancelling necessary
diagnostics without cause, or assume the receiving department will automatically know — which
may not be true. Clear communication is the safe, correct action.
Q4. Which set of infections should prompt DROPLET precautions? [Multiple Choice]
A) Gastroenteritis and Hepatitis A
B) TB, Measles, and Varicella
C) Influenza, Pneumonia, and Meningitis
D) MRSA and Pediculosis
Answer: Influenza, Pneumonia, and Meningitis
Explanation: Droplet precautions are used for pathogens spread by large respiratory droplets
that travel short distances (usually within about 3 feet). Influenza, pneumonia, and meningitis
are identified as infections requiring droplet precautions, which include wearing a surgical mask
when within close contact. The other choices are incorrect because MRSA/pediculosis use
standard precautions, TB/measles/varicella require airborne precautions which are more
stringent, and bloodborne infections require blood/body-fluid precautions rather than droplet-
specific measures.
Q5. A nurse should report 200 mL of sanguineous wound-drain output on the
second postoperative day to the surgeon. [True/False]
A) True
B) False
Answer: True
Explanation: Sanguineous drainage indicates the presence of blood in wound output. On the
second postoperative day, an output of 200 mL of sanguineous fluid is a notable finding that may
indicate ongoing bleeding and therefore should be reported to the surgeon as a priority.
Q6. Which group of infections requires AIRBORNE precautions? [Multiple Choice]
3
, A) MRSA and Pediculosis
B) Influenza, Pneumonia, and Meningitis
C) Hepatitis A and C
D) TB, Measles, and Varicella
Answer: TB, Measles, and Varicella
Explanation: Airborne precautions are used for pathogens that can travel on very small droplet
nuclei and remain suspended in air. TB, measles, and varicella are classic airborne infections and
require airborne precautions such as negative-pressure rooms and N95 respirators. The other
options are incorrect because they list infections that need either standard or droplet precautions
(MRSA/pediculosis are standard; influenza/pneumonia/meningitis are droplet) rather than
airborne measures.
Q7. A postoperative diabetic patient develops wound evisceration. What is the
most appropriate immediate nursing action? [Multiple Choice]
A) Cover the wound with sterile gauze, moistened with sterile normal saline
B) Place an occlusive dry dressing and ambulate the patient
C) Leave the wound open to air and notify the surgeon
D) Attempt to reinsert the eviscerated organs back into the abdomen
Answer: Cover the wound with sterile gauze, moistened with sterile normal saline
Explanation: Wound evisceration (viscera protruding through a surgical incision) is an
emergency. The immediate nursing action is to protect exposed organs by covering them with
sterile, saline-moistened gauze to prevent drying, contamination, and further injury while
awaiting surgical intervention. The other options are incorrect as initial steps: attempting to push
organs back in risks further damage, leaving the wound exposed increases contamination, and
only calling the surgeon without protective measures delays essential immediate care. Moist
sterile dressings stabilize and protect the tissues until the surgeon arrives.
Q8. Which client is at greatest risk for developing a pressure ulcer? [Multiple Choice]
A) 50 year old with controlled diabetes who bathes independently
B) 68 year old with left sided paralysis
C) 72 year old who ambulated with a walker today
D) 45 year old ambulatory patient on IV antibiotics
Answer: 68 year old with left sided paralysis
4
