NURS 120 Introduction to Medical Surgical Nursing - Week 5 Quiz
Introduction to Medical Surgical Nursing | Questions and Answers |
100% Correct | Grade A - WCU
1. A patient is admitted with a serum sodium level of 125 mEq/L. Which nursing
intervention is a priority?
A. Encourage increased fluid intake
B. Administer diuretics as ordered
C. Provide a low-salt diet
D. Implement seizure precautions
Answer: D
Rationale: A sodium level of 125 mEq/L indicates hyponatremia, which can lead to
cerebral edema and seizures; safety is the priority.
2. Which clinical manifestation is most characteristic of hypokalemia?
A. Tall, peaked T waves on ECG
B. Muscle weakness and leg cramps
C. Hyperactive bowel sounds
D. Positive Trousseau’s sign
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypokalemia affects muscle contraction and nerve conduction, commonly
resulting in weakness, fatigue, and leg cramps.
,3. When assessing a patient with hypercalcemia, the nurse should monitor for
which neurological effect?
A. Lethargy and confusion
B. Hyperreflexia
C. Tetany
D. Seizures
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypercalcemia acts as a sedative on the neuromuscular system, leading to
decreased deep tendon reflexes, lethargy, and confusion.
4. A patient’s ABG results are: pH 7.31, PaCO2 50 mmHg, HCO3 24 mEq/L. How
should the nurse interpret these results?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and a PaCO2 above 45 mmHg with a normal
HCO3 confirms the origin is respiratory.
5. What is the primary role of the nurse regarding informed consent for surgery?
A. Explaining the risks and benefits of the procedure
B. Witnessing the patient’s signature on the form
C. Obtaining the consent from the patient
D. Deciding if the patient is competent to sign
Answer: B
Rationale: The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure; the nurse’s role is to
witness the signature and ensure the patient understands they are signing voluntarily.
, 6. During the preoperative assessment, a patient reports an allergy to bananas
and avocados. Which action is most important?
A. Notify the kitchen to avoid these foods
B. Alert the surgical team of a potential latex allergy
C. Document the food allergy in the chart only
D. Ask the patient if they also dislike kiwi
Answer: B
Rationale: Cross-reactivity exists between certain foods (bananas, avocados, kiwi) and
latex; this patient is at high risk for a latex allergy.
7. Which intraoperative complication is characterized by a rapid rise in body
temperature and muscle rigidity?
A. Malignant Hyperthermia
B. Hypothermia
C. Anaphylaxis
D. Septic Shock
Answer: A
Rationale: Malignant Hyperthermia is a life-threatening genetic reaction to certain
anesthetic gases, causing hypermetabolism and rigidity.
8. A postoperative patient is ordered to use an incentive spirometer. What
should the nurse explain as the primary purpose of this device?
A. To prevent atelectasis
B. To increase heart rate
C. To measure lung capacity for discharge
D. To decrease postoperative pain
Answer: A
Rationale: Incentive spirometry encourages deep breathing, which helps expand alveoli
and prevent lung collapse (atelectasis) after surgery.
Introduction to Medical Surgical Nursing | Questions and Answers |
100% Correct | Grade A - WCU
1. A patient is admitted with a serum sodium level of 125 mEq/L. Which nursing
intervention is a priority?
A. Encourage increased fluid intake
B. Administer diuretics as ordered
C. Provide a low-salt diet
D. Implement seizure precautions
Answer: D
Rationale: A sodium level of 125 mEq/L indicates hyponatremia, which can lead to
cerebral edema and seizures; safety is the priority.
2. Which clinical manifestation is most characteristic of hypokalemia?
A. Tall, peaked T waves on ECG
B. Muscle weakness and leg cramps
C. Hyperactive bowel sounds
D. Positive Trousseau’s sign
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypokalemia affects muscle contraction and nerve conduction, commonly
resulting in weakness, fatigue, and leg cramps.
,3. When assessing a patient with hypercalcemia, the nurse should monitor for
which neurological effect?
A. Lethargy and confusion
B. Hyperreflexia
C. Tetany
D. Seizures
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypercalcemia acts as a sedative on the neuromuscular system, leading to
decreased deep tendon reflexes, lethargy, and confusion.
4. A patient’s ABG results are: pH 7.31, PaCO2 50 mmHg, HCO3 24 mEq/L. How
should the nurse interpret these results?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and a PaCO2 above 45 mmHg with a normal
HCO3 confirms the origin is respiratory.
5. What is the primary role of the nurse regarding informed consent for surgery?
A. Explaining the risks and benefits of the procedure
B. Witnessing the patient’s signature on the form
C. Obtaining the consent from the patient
D. Deciding if the patient is competent to sign
Answer: B
Rationale: The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure; the nurse’s role is to
witness the signature and ensure the patient understands they are signing voluntarily.
, 6. During the preoperative assessment, a patient reports an allergy to bananas
and avocados. Which action is most important?
A. Notify the kitchen to avoid these foods
B. Alert the surgical team of a potential latex allergy
C. Document the food allergy in the chart only
D. Ask the patient if they also dislike kiwi
Answer: B
Rationale: Cross-reactivity exists between certain foods (bananas, avocados, kiwi) and
latex; this patient is at high risk for a latex allergy.
7. Which intraoperative complication is characterized by a rapid rise in body
temperature and muscle rigidity?
A. Malignant Hyperthermia
B. Hypothermia
C. Anaphylaxis
D. Septic Shock
Answer: A
Rationale: Malignant Hyperthermia is a life-threatening genetic reaction to certain
anesthetic gases, causing hypermetabolism and rigidity.
8. A postoperative patient is ordered to use an incentive spirometer. What
should the nurse explain as the primary purpose of this device?
A. To prevent atelectasis
B. To increase heart rate
C. To measure lung capacity for discharge
D. To decrease postoperative pain
Answer: A
Rationale: Incentive spirometry encourages deep breathing, which helps expand alveoli
and prevent lung collapse (atelectasis) after surgery.
