NURS 121L-A: Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing Practicum -
Week 9 Comprehensive Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who is 24 hours postoperative following an
abdominal hysterectomy. Which of the following assessment findings is the
most sensitive indicator of a developing complication?
A. Oral temperature of 37.8°C (100°F)
B. Patient reports pain as 6 on a scale of 0 to 10
C. Bowel sounds are absent in all four quadrants
D. Urine output of 20 mL/hr for the last 2 hours
Answer: D
Rationale: A urine output of less than 30 mL/hr is a critical indicator of poor renal
perfusion or decreased cardiac output and must be addressed immediately. A low-grade
fever and absent bowel sounds are common findings within the first 24 hours post-
abdominal surgery.
2. Which clinical manifestation should a nurse prioritize when assessing a
patient suspected of having a pulmonary embolism?
A. Sudden onset of shortness of breath
B. Productive cough with green sputum
C. Pitting edema in the lower extremities
D. Bradypnea and increased lethargy
Answer: A
Rationale: Sudden onset of dyspnea is the hallmark sign of a pulmonary embolism and
requires immediate intervention to maintain oxygenation.
,3. A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient with a new prescription
for Warfarin. Which of the following instructions is essential to include?
A. Increase intake of dark green leafy vegetables
B. Take aspirin for minor headaches or joint pain
C. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush for oral care
D. Stop the medication if any bruising occurs
Answer: C
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that increases bleeding risk. Using a soft-bristled
toothbrush helps prevent gingival bleeding. Leafy greens (Vitamin K) should be kept
consistent, not increased. Aspirin increases bleeding risk further.
4. When interpreting Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) results: pH 7.31, PaCO2 50
mmHg, HCO3 24 mEq/L. Which condition does this reflect?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg with a normal
HCO3 confirms that the primary imbalance is respiratory in origin.
5. A patient has a serum potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which ECG change
should the nurse expect to observe?
A. Peaked T waves
B. Prolonged PR interval
C. Widened QRS complex
D. Prominent U waves
Answer: D
, Rationale: Hypokalemia (K+ < 3.5) commonly results in the appearance of U waves and
flattened or inverted T waves. Peaked T waves are associated with hyperkalemia.
6. A nurse is assessing a patient for Chvostek’s sign. Which electrolyte imbalance
is the nurse testing for?
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Chvostek’s sign (facial twitching when the facial nerve is tapped) is a clinical
indicator of hypocalcemia and increased neuromuscular irritability.
7. A patient is scheduled for surgery. The nurse notices the surgical consent
form is not signed. What is the nurse’s primary responsibility?
A. Explain the risks and benefits of the surgery to the patient
B. Tell the patient that the surgery will be cancelled
C. Sign the form for the patient if they are under sedation
D. Witness the signature after the surgeon explains the procedure
Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse’s role is to witness the patient’s signature and verify that the patient
is competent. The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure and its risks.
8. Which of the following is the highest priority nursing intervention for a
patient with a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the left leg?
A. Monitoring for chest pain and shortness of breath
B. Applying a sequential compression device (SCD) to the left leg
C. Massaging the affected calf to relieve pain
D. Encouraging the patient to walk 100 feet every hour
Answer: A
Week 9 Comprehensive Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who is 24 hours postoperative following an
abdominal hysterectomy. Which of the following assessment findings is the
most sensitive indicator of a developing complication?
A. Oral temperature of 37.8°C (100°F)
B. Patient reports pain as 6 on a scale of 0 to 10
C. Bowel sounds are absent in all four quadrants
D. Urine output of 20 mL/hr for the last 2 hours
Answer: D
Rationale: A urine output of less than 30 mL/hr is a critical indicator of poor renal
perfusion or decreased cardiac output and must be addressed immediately. A low-grade
fever and absent bowel sounds are common findings within the first 24 hours post-
abdominal surgery.
2. Which clinical manifestation should a nurse prioritize when assessing a
patient suspected of having a pulmonary embolism?
A. Sudden onset of shortness of breath
B. Productive cough with green sputum
C. Pitting edema in the lower extremities
D. Bradypnea and increased lethargy
Answer: A
Rationale: Sudden onset of dyspnea is the hallmark sign of a pulmonary embolism and
requires immediate intervention to maintain oxygenation.
,3. A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient with a new prescription
for Warfarin. Which of the following instructions is essential to include?
A. Increase intake of dark green leafy vegetables
B. Take aspirin for minor headaches or joint pain
C. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush for oral care
D. Stop the medication if any bruising occurs
Answer: C
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that increases bleeding risk. Using a soft-bristled
toothbrush helps prevent gingival bleeding. Leafy greens (Vitamin K) should be kept
consistent, not increased. Aspirin increases bleeding risk further.
4. When interpreting Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) results: pH 7.31, PaCO2 50
mmHg, HCO3 24 mEq/L. Which condition does this reflect?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg with a normal
HCO3 confirms that the primary imbalance is respiratory in origin.
5. A patient has a serum potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which ECG change
should the nurse expect to observe?
A. Peaked T waves
B. Prolonged PR interval
C. Widened QRS complex
D. Prominent U waves
Answer: D
, Rationale: Hypokalemia (K+ < 3.5) commonly results in the appearance of U waves and
flattened or inverted T waves. Peaked T waves are associated with hyperkalemia.
6. A nurse is assessing a patient for Chvostek’s sign. Which electrolyte imbalance
is the nurse testing for?
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Chvostek’s sign (facial twitching when the facial nerve is tapped) is a clinical
indicator of hypocalcemia and increased neuromuscular irritability.
7. A patient is scheduled for surgery. The nurse notices the surgical consent
form is not signed. What is the nurse’s primary responsibility?
A. Explain the risks and benefits of the surgery to the patient
B. Tell the patient that the surgery will be cancelled
C. Sign the form for the patient if they are under sedation
D. Witness the signature after the surgeon explains the procedure
Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse’s role is to witness the patient’s signature and verify that the patient
is competent. The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure and its risks.
8. Which of the following is the highest priority nursing intervention for a
patient with a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the left leg?
A. Monitoring for chest pain and shortness of breath
B. Applying a sequential compression device (SCD) to the left leg
C. Massaging the affected calf to relieve pain
D. Encouraging the patient to walk 100 feet every hour
Answer: A
