NURS 201 Medical-Surgical Nursing: Promoting Wellness - Module
Exam 2 2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is preparing a patient for surgery. Which of the following is the
primary responsibility of the nurse regarding informed consent?
A. Explaining the risks and benefits of the procedure
B. Witnessing the patient’s signature on the consent form
C. Describing alternative treatments to the patient
D. Providing detailed anatomical drawings of the surgery
Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse’s role in informed consent is to witness the patient’s signature and
ensure the patient is competent to sign. The surgeon is responsible for explaining the
procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives.
2. A patient is diagnosed with hypokalemia. Which of the following ECG changes
should the nurse expect to see?
A. Tall, peaked T waves
B. Widened QRS complex
C. Shortened PR interval
D. Prominent U waves
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypokalemia typically presents on an ECG as flattened T waves, ST-segment
depression, and the presence of prominent U waves.
,3. During the intraoperative phase, a patient develops Malignant Hyperthermia.
Which medication is the treatment of choice?
A. Dantrolene sodium
B. Atropine
C. Epinephrine
D. Furosemide
Answer: A
Rationale: Dantrolene is a skeletal muscle relaxant that is the specific antidote for
Malignant Hyperthermia, a life-threatening complication of general anesthesia.
4. A postoperative patient reports sudden chest pain and shortness of breath.
The nurse suspects a pulmonary embolism. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer pain medication
B. Encourage the patient to cough and deep breathe
C. Apply oxygen via nasal cannula
D. Obtain an EKG immediately
Answer: C
Rationale: Ensuring adequate oxygenation is the priority in a patient with a suspected
pulmonary embolism to prevent further respiratory distress and hypoxia.
5. Which lab value is most critical to monitor in a patient receiving an IV infusion
of 3% sodium chloride?
A. Serum potassium
B. Serum calcium
C. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
D. Serum sodium
Answer: D
, Rationale: Hypertonic saline (3% NaCl) is used to treat severe hyponatremia. The nurse
must monitor serum sodium levels closely to avoid overcorrection, which can lead to
central pontine myelinolysis.
6. A nurse is caring for a patient with a surgical wound that has eviscerated.
What should the nurse’s immediate action be?
A. Push the organs back into the abdominal cavity
B. Cover the protruding organs with sterile gauze soaked in normal saline
C. Apply a dry sterile dressing tightly
D. Place the patient in a high-Fowler’s position
Answer: B
Rationale: Evisceration is a medical emergency. The nurse should cover the exposed
organs with sterile, moist saline dressings to prevent drying and infection while notifying
the surgeon.
7. A patient with respiratory acidosis would likely exhibit which of the following
ABG results?
A. pH 7.30, PaCO2 50, HCO3 24
B. pH 7.50, PaCO2 30, HCO3 22
C. pH 7.32, PaCO2 38, HCO3 18
D. pH 7.48, PaCO2 40, HCO3 30
Answer: A
Rationale: Respiratory acidosis is characterized by a low pH (<7.35) and an elevated
PaCO2 (>45 mmHg) with a normal or compensating bicarbonate level.
Exam 2 2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is preparing a patient for surgery. Which of the following is the
primary responsibility of the nurse regarding informed consent?
A. Explaining the risks and benefits of the procedure
B. Witnessing the patient’s signature on the consent form
C. Describing alternative treatments to the patient
D. Providing detailed anatomical drawings of the surgery
Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse’s role in informed consent is to witness the patient’s signature and
ensure the patient is competent to sign. The surgeon is responsible for explaining the
procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives.
2. A patient is diagnosed with hypokalemia. Which of the following ECG changes
should the nurse expect to see?
A. Tall, peaked T waves
B. Widened QRS complex
C. Shortened PR interval
D. Prominent U waves
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypokalemia typically presents on an ECG as flattened T waves, ST-segment
depression, and the presence of prominent U waves.
,3. During the intraoperative phase, a patient develops Malignant Hyperthermia.
Which medication is the treatment of choice?
A. Dantrolene sodium
B. Atropine
C. Epinephrine
D. Furosemide
Answer: A
Rationale: Dantrolene is a skeletal muscle relaxant that is the specific antidote for
Malignant Hyperthermia, a life-threatening complication of general anesthesia.
4. A postoperative patient reports sudden chest pain and shortness of breath.
The nurse suspects a pulmonary embolism. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer pain medication
B. Encourage the patient to cough and deep breathe
C. Apply oxygen via nasal cannula
D. Obtain an EKG immediately
Answer: C
Rationale: Ensuring adequate oxygenation is the priority in a patient with a suspected
pulmonary embolism to prevent further respiratory distress and hypoxia.
5. Which lab value is most critical to monitor in a patient receiving an IV infusion
of 3% sodium chloride?
A. Serum potassium
B. Serum calcium
C. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
D. Serum sodium
Answer: D
, Rationale: Hypertonic saline (3% NaCl) is used to treat severe hyponatremia. The nurse
must monitor serum sodium levels closely to avoid overcorrection, which can lead to
central pontine myelinolysis.
6. A nurse is caring for a patient with a surgical wound that has eviscerated.
What should the nurse’s immediate action be?
A. Push the organs back into the abdominal cavity
B. Cover the protruding organs with sterile gauze soaked in normal saline
C. Apply a dry sterile dressing tightly
D. Place the patient in a high-Fowler’s position
Answer: B
Rationale: Evisceration is a medical emergency. The nurse should cover the exposed
organs with sterile, moist saline dressings to prevent drying and infection while notifying
the surgeon.
7. A patient with respiratory acidosis would likely exhibit which of the following
ABG results?
A. pH 7.30, PaCO2 50, HCO3 24
B. pH 7.50, PaCO2 30, HCO3 22
C. pH 7.32, PaCO2 38, HCO3 18
D. pH 7.48, PaCO2 40, HCO3 30
Answer: A
Rationale: Respiratory acidosis is characterized by a low pH (<7.35) and an elevated
PaCO2 (>45 mmHg) with a normal or compensating bicarbonate level.
