NURS 120 Week 4: Introduction to Medical Surgical Nursing Quiz
Introduction to Medical Surgical Nursing | Questions and Answers |
100% Correct | Grade A - WCU
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with a potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which of
the following is a priority assessment?
A. Skin turgor
B. Bowel sounds
C. Cardiac rhythm
D. Deep tendon reflexes
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypokalemia (potassium < 3.5 mEq/L) can cause life-threatening cardiac
dysrhythmias, making cardiac monitoring the priority.
2. Which assessment finding is most associated with a serum sodium level of
125 mEq/L?
A. Hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Dry mucous membranes
C. Confusion and seizures
D. Cardiac dysrhythmias
Answer: C
Rationale: Hyponatremia primarily affects the central nervous system, leading to cerebral
edema, confusion, and potential seizures.
,3. A positive Trousseau’s sign is an indicator of which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypermagnesemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Trousseau’s sign (carpal spasm induced by inflating a blood pressure cuff) is a
classic sign of hypocalcemia.
4. The nurse observes a patient has dry mucous membranes, decreased skin
turgor, and a heart rate of 110 bpm. These are signs of:
A. Fluid volume excess
B. Water intoxication
C. Hypervolemia
D. Hypovolemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypovolemia (fluid volume deficit) presents with signs of dehydration such as
dry membranes, poor turgor, and compensatory tachycardia.
5. A patient’s ABG results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 24 mEq/L.
What is the interpretation?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and a PaCO2 above 45 mmHg indicates a
respiratory cause.
, 6. How should a nurse assess for Chvostek’s sign?
A. Inflate a BP cuff on the upper arm
B. Percuss the abdomen for dullness
C. Tap the facial nerve in front of the ear
D. Check for calf pain during dorsiflexion
Answer: C
Rationale: Chvostek’s sign is assessed by tapping the facial nerve; a positive result is facial
twitching, indicating hypocalcemia.
7. Which food should a patient with hyperkalemia be instructed to avoid?
A. Apples
B. Bananas
C. White rice
D. Blueberries
Answer: B
Rationale: Bananas are high in potassium and should be avoided or limited in patients
with hyperkalemia.
8. Which condition is a common cause of respiratory alkalosis?
A. COPD
B. Hyperventilation
C. Opioid overdose
D. Renal failure
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperventilation leads to excessive blowing off of CO2, which increases the
blood pH, resulting in respiratory alkalosis.
Introduction to Medical Surgical Nursing | Questions and Answers |
100% Correct | Grade A - WCU
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with a potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which of
the following is a priority assessment?
A. Skin turgor
B. Bowel sounds
C. Cardiac rhythm
D. Deep tendon reflexes
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypokalemia (potassium < 3.5 mEq/L) can cause life-threatening cardiac
dysrhythmias, making cardiac monitoring the priority.
2. Which assessment finding is most associated with a serum sodium level of
125 mEq/L?
A. Hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Dry mucous membranes
C. Confusion and seizures
D. Cardiac dysrhythmias
Answer: C
Rationale: Hyponatremia primarily affects the central nervous system, leading to cerebral
edema, confusion, and potential seizures.
,3. A positive Trousseau’s sign is an indicator of which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypermagnesemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Trousseau’s sign (carpal spasm induced by inflating a blood pressure cuff) is a
classic sign of hypocalcemia.
4. The nurse observes a patient has dry mucous membranes, decreased skin
turgor, and a heart rate of 110 bpm. These are signs of:
A. Fluid volume excess
B. Water intoxication
C. Hypervolemia
D. Hypovolemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypovolemia (fluid volume deficit) presents with signs of dehydration such as
dry membranes, poor turgor, and compensatory tachycardia.
5. A patient’s ABG results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 24 mEq/L.
What is the interpretation?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and a PaCO2 above 45 mmHg indicates a
respiratory cause.
, 6. How should a nurse assess for Chvostek’s sign?
A. Inflate a BP cuff on the upper arm
B. Percuss the abdomen for dullness
C. Tap the facial nerve in front of the ear
D. Check for calf pain during dorsiflexion
Answer: C
Rationale: Chvostek’s sign is assessed by tapping the facial nerve; a positive result is facial
twitching, indicating hypocalcemia.
7. Which food should a patient with hyperkalemia be instructed to avoid?
A. Apples
B. Bananas
C. White rice
D. Blueberries
Answer: B
Rationale: Bananas are high in potassium and should be avoided or limited in patients
with hyperkalemia.
8. Which condition is a common cause of respiratory alkalosis?
A. COPD
B. Hyperventilation
C. Opioid overdose
D. Renal failure
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperventilation leads to excessive blowing off of CO2, which increases the
blood pH, resulting in respiratory alkalosis.
