Week 5 Quiz: NURS 120 Introduction to Medical Surgical Nursing 2026
– WCU
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which EKG
change should the nurse expect to observe?
A. Peaked T waves
B. Prominent U waves
C. ST segment depression
D. Inverted T waves
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) typically manifests on an EKG as tall,
peaked T waves and a widened QRS complex.
2. Which of the following is the primary responsibility of the nurse during the
informed consent process?
A. Witnessing the patient’s signature on the consent form
B. Deciding if the patient should undergo the surgery
C. Explaining the risks and benefits of the procedure
D. Discussing alternative treatment options with the patient
Answer: A
Rationale: The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure, risks, and benefits; the
nurse’s role is to witness the patient’s signature and ensure the patient is competent to
sign.
,3. A patient presents with a serum sodium level of 128 mEq/L. Which clinical
manifestation is a priority for the nurse to monitor?
A. Increased thirst
B. Dry mucous membranes
C. Constipation
D. Seizures and confusion
Answer: D
Rationale: Hyponatremia (sodium < 135 mEq/L) can lead to cerebral edema, putting the
patient at high risk for neurological changes including seizures, confusion, and coma.
4. A postoperative patient has not voided for 8 hours following surgery. What
should be the nurse’s first action?
A. Perform a bladder scan
B. Insert a straight catheter
C. Increase the IV fluid rate
D. Notify the surgeon immediately
Answer: A
Rationale: A bladder scan is a non-invasive nursing assessment to determine the volume
of urine in the bladder before proceeding to more invasive interventions like
catheterization.
5. Which intravenous fluid is considered an isotonic solution?
A. 0.45% Sodium Chloride
B. 0.9% Sodium Chloride
C. 3% Sodium Chloride
D. 10% Dextrose in water
Answer: B
Rationale: 0.9% Sodium Chloride (Normal Saline) is an isotonic solution used to expand
extracellular fluid volume without shifting fluids into or out of the cells.
, 6. A patient is diagnosed with respiratory acidosis. Which arterial blood gas
(ABG) result is consistent with this diagnosis?
A. pH 7.48, PaCO2 30 mmHg
B. pH 7.32, HCO3 18 mEq/L
C. pH 7.30, PaCO2 55 mmHg
D. pH 7.50, HCO3 30 mEq/L
Answer: C
Rationale: Respiratory acidosis is characterized by a low pH (< 7.35) and a high PaCO2 (>
45 mmHg), usually caused by hypoventilation.
7. During the preoperative assessment, a patient reports an allergy to bananas
and avocados. Which intraoperative complication is this patient at higher risk
for?
A. Malignant hyperthermia
B. Anaphylaxis to propofol
C. Latex allergy
D. Succinylcholine sensitivity
Answer: C
Rationale: There is a known cross-reactivity between certain foods (like bananas,
avocados, and kiwis) and latex; patients with these food allergies are at higher risk for latex
sensitivity.
8. Which medication is considered the gold standard for the pharmacological
treatment of Malignant Hyperthermia?
A. Dantrolene sodium
B. Epinephrine
C. Atropine
D. Furosemide
Answer: A
– WCU
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which EKG
change should the nurse expect to observe?
A. Peaked T waves
B. Prominent U waves
C. ST segment depression
D. Inverted T waves
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) typically manifests on an EKG as tall,
peaked T waves and a widened QRS complex.
2. Which of the following is the primary responsibility of the nurse during the
informed consent process?
A. Witnessing the patient’s signature on the consent form
B. Deciding if the patient should undergo the surgery
C. Explaining the risks and benefits of the procedure
D. Discussing alternative treatment options with the patient
Answer: A
Rationale: The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure, risks, and benefits; the
nurse’s role is to witness the patient’s signature and ensure the patient is competent to
sign.
,3. A patient presents with a serum sodium level of 128 mEq/L. Which clinical
manifestation is a priority for the nurse to monitor?
A. Increased thirst
B. Dry mucous membranes
C. Constipation
D. Seizures and confusion
Answer: D
Rationale: Hyponatremia (sodium < 135 mEq/L) can lead to cerebral edema, putting the
patient at high risk for neurological changes including seizures, confusion, and coma.
4. A postoperative patient has not voided for 8 hours following surgery. What
should be the nurse’s first action?
A. Perform a bladder scan
B. Insert a straight catheter
C. Increase the IV fluid rate
D. Notify the surgeon immediately
Answer: A
Rationale: A bladder scan is a non-invasive nursing assessment to determine the volume
of urine in the bladder before proceeding to more invasive interventions like
catheterization.
5. Which intravenous fluid is considered an isotonic solution?
A. 0.45% Sodium Chloride
B. 0.9% Sodium Chloride
C. 3% Sodium Chloride
D. 10% Dextrose in water
Answer: B
Rationale: 0.9% Sodium Chloride (Normal Saline) is an isotonic solution used to expand
extracellular fluid volume without shifting fluids into or out of the cells.
, 6. A patient is diagnosed with respiratory acidosis. Which arterial blood gas
(ABG) result is consistent with this diagnosis?
A. pH 7.48, PaCO2 30 mmHg
B. pH 7.32, HCO3 18 mEq/L
C. pH 7.30, PaCO2 55 mmHg
D. pH 7.50, HCO3 30 mEq/L
Answer: C
Rationale: Respiratory acidosis is characterized by a low pH (< 7.35) and a high PaCO2 (>
45 mmHg), usually caused by hypoventilation.
7. During the preoperative assessment, a patient reports an allergy to bananas
and avocados. Which intraoperative complication is this patient at higher risk
for?
A. Malignant hyperthermia
B. Anaphylaxis to propofol
C. Latex allergy
D. Succinylcholine sensitivity
Answer: C
Rationale: There is a known cross-reactivity between certain foods (like bananas,
avocados, and kiwis) and latex; patients with these food allergies are at higher risk for latex
sensitivity.
8. Which medication is considered the gold standard for the pharmacological
treatment of Malignant Hyperthermia?
A. Dantrolene sodium
B. Epinephrine
C. Atropine
D. Furosemide
Answer: A
