NR 224 Fundamentals of Nursing Exam 3 Comprehensive Study Guide
2026 |Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is preparing a client for surgery. Which action is the primary
responsibility of the surgeon regarding informed consent?
A. Explaining the risks and benefits of the procedure
B. Witnessing the client’s signature on the form
C. Verifying that the client is competent to sign
D. Ensuring the signed form is in the medical record
Answer: A
Rationale: The surgeon is legally responsible for providing a full explanation of the
procedure, its risks, benefits, and alternatives. The nurse’s role is typically limited to
witnessing the signature and advocating for the client if they have further questions.
2. During the ‘Time Out’ phase of the Universal Protocol in the operating room,
what is the primary goal?
A. To verify correct patient, site, and procedure
B. To count all sponges and instruments
C. To administer the induction of anesthesia
D. To allow the surgeon to scrub in
Answer: A
Rationale: The ‘Time Out’ is a mandatory pause just before the procedure begins to ensure
correct patient identification, correct surgical site, and correct procedure to prevent
surgical errors.
,3. A client is experiencing malignant hyperthermia during surgery. Which
medication should the nurse expect to be administered?
A. Dantrolene sodium
B. Atropine sulfate
C. Epinephrine
D. Lidocaine
Answer: A
Rationale: Dantrolene sodium is a skeletal muscle relaxant that is the primary
pharmacological treatment for malignant hyperthermia, a life-threatening anesthetic
complication.
4. Which post-operative intervention is most effective in preventing respiratory
complications like atelectasis?
A. Limiting fluid intake to reduce secretions
B. Administration of prophylactic antibiotics
C. Maintaining a supine position
D. Frequent use of an incentive spirometer
Answer: D
Rationale: Incentive spirometry encourages deep breathing and lung expansion, which
helps prevent alveolar collapse (atelectasis) in post-operative patients.
5. A nurse is assessing a surgical wound and notes the presence of thick, yellow-
green drainage. How should this be documented?
A. Purulent drainage
B. Sanguineous drainage
C. Serosanguineous drainage
D. Serous drainage
Answer: A
, Rationale: Purulent drainage is thick, opaque, and often yellow, green, or brown,
indicating the presence of infection. Serous is clear, sanguineous is bloody, and
serosanguineous is a pinkish mix.
6. When assessing a patient with suspected hypokalemia, which of the following
clinical manifestations should the nurse monitor for?
A. Hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Positive Trousseau’s sign
C. Muscle weakness and leg cramps
D. Peaked T waves on ECG
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypokalemia (low potassium) commonly causes muscle weakness, fatigue, and
cardiac dysrhythmias (including flattened T waves). Trousseau’s sign is associated with
hypocalcemia.
7. A patient has a serum sodium level of 128 mEq/L. Which nursing intervention
is a priority for this patient?
A. Encourage increased water intake
B. Provide a low-salt diet
C. Administer a loop diuretic
D. Monitor for seizure activity
Answer: D
Rationale: A sodium level of 128 mEq/L indicates hyponatremia. Severe hyponatremia can
cause cerebral edema, leading to seizures and neurological decline.
2026 |Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is preparing a client for surgery. Which action is the primary
responsibility of the surgeon regarding informed consent?
A. Explaining the risks and benefits of the procedure
B. Witnessing the client’s signature on the form
C. Verifying that the client is competent to sign
D. Ensuring the signed form is in the medical record
Answer: A
Rationale: The surgeon is legally responsible for providing a full explanation of the
procedure, its risks, benefits, and alternatives. The nurse’s role is typically limited to
witnessing the signature and advocating for the client if they have further questions.
2. During the ‘Time Out’ phase of the Universal Protocol in the operating room,
what is the primary goal?
A. To verify correct patient, site, and procedure
B. To count all sponges and instruments
C. To administer the induction of anesthesia
D. To allow the surgeon to scrub in
Answer: A
Rationale: The ‘Time Out’ is a mandatory pause just before the procedure begins to ensure
correct patient identification, correct surgical site, and correct procedure to prevent
surgical errors.
,3. A client is experiencing malignant hyperthermia during surgery. Which
medication should the nurse expect to be administered?
A. Dantrolene sodium
B. Atropine sulfate
C. Epinephrine
D. Lidocaine
Answer: A
Rationale: Dantrolene sodium is a skeletal muscle relaxant that is the primary
pharmacological treatment for malignant hyperthermia, a life-threatening anesthetic
complication.
4. Which post-operative intervention is most effective in preventing respiratory
complications like atelectasis?
A. Limiting fluid intake to reduce secretions
B. Administration of prophylactic antibiotics
C. Maintaining a supine position
D. Frequent use of an incentive spirometer
Answer: D
Rationale: Incentive spirometry encourages deep breathing and lung expansion, which
helps prevent alveolar collapse (atelectasis) in post-operative patients.
5. A nurse is assessing a surgical wound and notes the presence of thick, yellow-
green drainage. How should this be documented?
A. Purulent drainage
B. Sanguineous drainage
C. Serosanguineous drainage
D. Serous drainage
Answer: A
, Rationale: Purulent drainage is thick, opaque, and often yellow, green, or brown,
indicating the presence of infection. Serous is clear, sanguineous is bloody, and
serosanguineous is a pinkish mix.
6. When assessing a patient with suspected hypokalemia, which of the following
clinical manifestations should the nurse monitor for?
A. Hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Positive Trousseau’s sign
C. Muscle weakness and leg cramps
D. Peaked T waves on ECG
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypokalemia (low potassium) commonly causes muscle weakness, fatigue, and
cardiac dysrhythmias (including flattened T waves). Trousseau’s sign is associated with
hypocalcemia.
7. A patient has a serum sodium level of 128 mEq/L. Which nursing intervention
is a priority for this patient?
A. Encourage increased water intake
B. Provide a low-salt diet
C. Administer a loop diuretic
D. Monitor for seizure activity
Answer: D
Rationale: A sodium level of 128 mEq/L indicates hyponatremia. Severe hyponatremia can
cause cerebral edema, leading to seizures and neurological decline.
