NURS 201 Medical-Surgical Nursing Week 4 Quiz - Fluid, Electrolytes,
and Perioperative Care 2026 |WCU
1. A patient is admitted with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which
cardiac change should the nurse monitor for most closely on the EKG?
A. Tall, peaked T waves
B. Prominent U waves
C. ST-segment depression
D. Shortened PR interval
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) typically causes tall, peaked T waves,
widened QRS complexes, and prolonged PR intervals. Prominent U waves are seen in
hypokalemia.
2. The nurse is caring for a patient who is 12 hours postoperative. The patient
has a respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min and an SpO2 of 88%. Which acid-base
imbalance is this patient at highest risk for?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypoventilation (low respiratory rate) leads to CO2 retention. Since CO2 is an
acid, its accumulation in the blood results in respiratory acidosis.
,3. A patient with prolonged nasogastric (NG) suctioning is at risk for which
electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: C
Rationale: NG suctioning removes gastric secretions which are rich in potassium and
hydrochloric acid, leading to hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis.
4. During a pre-operative assessment, the patient mentions an allergy to
avocados and bananas. Which item should the nurse ensure is removed from
the operating room?
A. Betadine solution
B. Propofol
C. Latex-containing products
D. Surgical mesh
Answer: C
Rationale: There is a known cross-reactivity between certain foods (bananas, avocados,
kiwis, chestnuts) and latex allergy.
5. A patient with a serum sodium of 128 mEq/L is exhibiting confusion and
seizures. Which IV solution would the nurse expect the physician to order?
A. 0.45% Sodium Chloride (Half-Normal Saline)
B. 3.0% Sodium Chloride (Hypertonic Saline)
C. 0.9% Sodium Chloride (Normal Saline)
D. 5% Dextrose in Water (D5W)
Answer: B
, Rationale: Severe symptomatic hyponatremia with neurological symptoms requires
hypertonic saline (3%) to pull water out of the brain cells and increase serum sodium
levels rapidly.
6. A patient is experiencing Chvostek’s sign. This indicates a deficiency in which
electrolyte?
A. Potassium
B. Calcium
C. Sodium
D. Phosphate
Answer: B
Rationale: Chvostek’s sign (facial twitching when the facial nerve is tapped) and
Trousseau’s sign are classic signs of hypocalcemia.
7. Which of the following is the priority nursing intervention for a patient
immediately after an abdominal surgery who develops wound evisceration?
A. Push the organs back into the abdomen immediately
B. Place the patient in a High-Fowler’s position
C. Administer an emergency dose of IV antibiotics
D. Cover the protruding organs with sterile gauze soaked in sterile normal saline
Answer: D
Rationale: Wound evisceration is a surgical emergency. The organs must be kept moist
with sterile saline-soaked gauze. Never attempt to reinsert the organs.
and Perioperative Care 2026 |WCU
1. A patient is admitted with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which
cardiac change should the nurse monitor for most closely on the EKG?
A. Tall, peaked T waves
B. Prominent U waves
C. ST-segment depression
D. Shortened PR interval
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) typically causes tall, peaked T waves,
widened QRS complexes, and prolonged PR intervals. Prominent U waves are seen in
hypokalemia.
2. The nurse is caring for a patient who is 12 hours postoperative. The patient
has a respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min and an SpO2 of 88%. Which acid-base
imbalance is this patient at highest risk for?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypoventilation (low respiratory rate) leads to CO2 retention. Since CO2 is an
acid, its accumulation in the blood results in respiratory acidosis.
,3. A patient with prolonged nasogastric (NG) suctioning is at risk for which
electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: C
Rationale: NG suctioning removes gastric secretions which are rich in potassium and
hydrochloric acid, leading to hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis.
4. During a pre-operative assessment, the patient mentions an allergy to
avocados and bananas. Which item should the nurse ensure is removed from
the operating room?
A. Betadine solution
B. Propofol
C. Latex-containing products
D. Surgical mesh
Answer: C
Rationale: There is a known cross-reactivity between certain foods (bananas, avocados,
kiwis, chestnuts) and latex allergy.
5. A patient with a serum sodium of 128 mEq/L is exhibiting confusion and
seizures. Which IV solution would the nurse expect the physician to order?
A. 0.45% Sodium Chloride (Half-Normal Saline)
B. 3.0% Sodium Chloride (Hypertonic Saline)
C. 0.9% Sodium Chloride (Normal Saline)
D. 5% Dextrose in Water (D5W)
Answer: B
, Rationale: Severe symptomatic hyponatremia with neurological symptoms requires
hypertonic saline (3%) to pull water out of the brain cells and increase serum sodium
levels rapidly.
6. A patient is experiencing Chvostek’s sign. This indicates a deficiency in which
electrolyte?
A. Potassium
B. Calcium
C. Sodium
D. Phosphate
Answer: B
Rationale: Chvostek’s sign (facial twitching when the facial nerve is tapped) and
Trousseau’s sign are classic signs of hypocalcemia.
7. Which of the following is the priority nursing intervention for a patient
immediately after an abdominal surgery who develops wound evisceration?
A. Push the organs back into the abdomen immediately
B. Place the patient in a High-Fowler’s position
C. Administer an emergency dose of IV antibiotics
D. Cover the protruding organs with sterile gauze soaked in sterile normal saline
Answer: D
Rationale: Wound evisceration is a surgical emergency. The organs must be kept moist
with sterile saline-soaked gauze. Never attempt to reinsert the organs.
