NURS 121L-A Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing Practicum -
Week 12 Comprehensive Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A patient is admitted with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which of
the following is the priority assessment for the nurse?
A. Monitoring the electrocardiogram (ECG) for peaked T-waves
B. Auscultating bowel sounds
C. Assessing muscle strength in the lower extremities
D. Checking the patient’s blood pressure
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0) can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias, such
as peaked T-waves, widened QRS complexes, and cardiac arrest. Cardiac monitoring is the
highest priority.
2. A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who suddenly reports a ‘popping’
sensation at the abdominal incision site. Upon inspection, the nurse notes
wound evisceration. What is the immediate nursing action?
A. Cover the protruding organs with a sterile dressing moistened with sterile normal saline
B. Apply pressure to the site with a dry sterile gauze
C. Attempt to push the organs back into the abdominal cavity
D. Place the patient in a High-Fowler’s position
Answer: A
Rationale: Evisceration is a medical emergency. The nurse must cover the area with
sterile, saline-soaked dressings to keep organs moist and prevent infection. The patient
should be kept in a low-Fowler’s position with knees flexed.
,3. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving
oxygen via nasal cannula. Which finding should most concern the nurse?
A. Oxygen saturation of 91%
B. A respiratory rate of 22 breaths per minute
C. Decreased level of consciousness and lethargy
D. Productive cough with clear sputum
Answer: C
Rationale: In COPD patients, excessive oxygen can suppress the hypoxic drive, leading to
CO2 narcosis. A decreased level of consciousness is a sign of severe respiratory acidosis or
CO2 retention.
4. The nurse is reviewing the arterial blood gas (ABG) results for a patient: pH
7.31, PaCO2 50 mmHg, HCO3 24 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these
results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Acidosis
Answer: D
Rationale: The pH is low (<7.35), indicating acidosis. The PaCO2 is high (>45 mmHg),
indicating a respiratory cause. The HCO3 is normal, meaning no compensation is occurring.
, 5. A patient is scheduled for surgery in 2 hours. The nurse observes that the
patient’s signed informed consent is missing from the chart. What is the nurse’s
primary responsibility?
A. Explain the risks and benefits of the surgery to the patient
B. Obtain the signature from the patient immediately
C. Sign the consent form as a witness for the surgeon
D. Notify the surgeon that the consent form has not been signed
Answer: D
Rationale: The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure and obtaining consent.
The nurse’s role is to witness the signature and verify that the patient understands. If it is
missing, the nurse must notify the surgeon.
6. A patient with heart failure reports increasing shortness of breath and a
persistent cough with pink, frothy sputum. Which condition does the nurse
suspect?
A. Right-sided heart failure
B. Pulmonary edema
C. Pneumonia
D. Pulmonary embolism
Answer: B
Rationale: Pink, frothy sputum is a classic sign of pulmonary edema, which is a life-
threatening complication of left-sided heart failure resulting in fluid backing up into the
lungs.
Week 12 Comprehensive Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A patient is admitted with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which of
the following is the priority assessment for the nurse?
A. Monitoring the electrocardiogram (ECG) for peaked T-waves
B. Auscultating bowel sounds
C. Assessing muscle strength in the lower extremities
D. Checking the patient’s blood pressure
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0) can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias, such
as peaked T-waves, widened QRS complexes, and cardiac arrest. Cardiac monitoring is the
highest priority.
2. A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who suddenly reports a ‘popping’
sensation at the abdominal incision site. Upon inspection, the nurse notes
wound evisceration. What is the immediate nursing action?
A. Cover the protruding organs with a sterile dressing moistened with sterile normal saline
B. Apply pressure to the site with a dry sterile gauze
C. Attempt to push the organs back into the abdominal cavity
D. Place the patient in a High-Fowler’s position
Answer: A
Rationale: Evisceration is a medical emergency. The nurse must cover the area with
sterile, saline-soaked dressings to keep organs moist and prevent infection. The patient
should be kept in a low-Fowler’s position with knees flexed.
,3. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving
oxygen via nasal cannula. Which finding should most concern the nurse?
A. Oxygen saturation of 91%
B. A respiratory rate of 22 breaths per minute
C. Decreased level of consciousness and lethargy
D. Productive cough with clear sputum
Answer: C
Rationale: In COPD patients, excessive oxygen can suppress the hypoxic drive, leading to
CO2 narcosis. A decreased level of consciousness is a sign of severe respiratory acidosis or
CO2 retention.
4. The nurse is reviewing the arterial blood gas (ABG) results for a patient: pH
7.31, PaCO2 50 mmHg, HCO3 24 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these
results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Acidosis
Answer: D
Rationale: The pH is low (<7.35), indicating acidosis. The PaCO2 is high (>45 mmHg),
indicating a respiratory cause. The HCO3 is normal, meaning no compensation is occurring.
, 5. A patient is scheduled for surgery in 2 hours. The nurse observes that the
patient’s signed informed consent is missing from the chart. What is the nurse’s
primary responsibility?
A. Explain the risks and benefits of the surgery to the patient
B. Obtain the signature from the patient immediately
C. Sign the consent form as a witness for the surgeon
D. Notify the surgeon that the consent form has not been signed
Answer: D
Rationale: The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure and obtaining consent.
The nurse’s role is to witness the signature and verify that the patient understands. If it is
missing, the nurse must notify the surgeon.
6. A patient with heart failure reports increasing shortness of breath and a
persistent cough with pink, frothy sputum. Which condition does the nurse
suspect?
A. Right-sided heart failure
B. Pulmonary edema
C. Pneumonia
D. Pulmonary embolism
Answer: B
Rationale: Pink, frothy sputum is a classic sign of pulmonary edema, which is a life-
threatening complication of left-sided heart failure resulting in fluid backing up into the
lungs.
