NURS 121L-A: Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing Practicum -
Week 8 Comprehensive Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who is 24 hours postoperative following
abdominal surgery. The patient reports sudden chest pain and shortness of
breath. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Place the patient in High-Fowler’s position and apply oxygen
B. Administer the prescribed PRN analgesic
C. Check the surgical site for signs of evisceration
D. Encourage the patient to use the incentive spirometer
Answer: A
Rationale: The symptoms of sudden chest pain and shortness of breath are indicative of a
pulmonary embolism. Placing the patient in High-Fowler’s position and providing oxygen
are priority interventions to stabilize respiratory status.
2. When assessing a patient with fluid volume deficit, which of the following
laboratory values should the nurse expect to find?
A. Increased Hematocrit
B. Decreased Serum Osmolality
C. Decreased Urine Specific Gravity
D. Increased Serum Potassium
Answer: A
Rationale: In fluid volume deficit (dehydration), the blood becomes more concentrated,
leading to an increased hematocrit level.
,3. A patient’s Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg,
and HCO3 26 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these findings?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Acidosis
Answer: D
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and a PaCO2 above 45 mmHg indicates a
respiratory cause. The normal HCO3 suggests it is uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
4. The nurse is preparing to administer 0.5 mg of Digoxin orally. The medication
is available as 0.25 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse provide?
A. 0.5 tablets
B. 2 tablets
C. 1.5 tablets
D. 1 tablet
Answer: B
Rationale: Calculation: 0.5 mg divided by 0.25 mg per tablet equals 2 tablets.
5. Which assessment finding is an early sign of hypovolemic shock in a
postoperative patient?
A. Tachycardia
B. Hypertension
C. Bradycardia
D. Increased urine output
Answer: A
Rationale: Tachycardia is often the earliest sign of hypovolemic shock as the body
attempts to maintain cardiac output despite low volume.
, 6. The nurse notes a patient’s surgical wound has eviscerated. What is the
priority nursing action?
A. Apply dry sterile gauze to the site
B. Cover the protruding organs with sterile towels moistened with normal saline
C. Push the organs back into the abdominal cavity gently
D. Call the family to explain the situation
Answer: B
Rationale: Evisceration is a medical emergency. The nurse must protect the exposed tissue
by covering it with sterile dressings soaked in sterile normal saline to prevent drying and
infection.
7. A nurse is reviewing a patient’s potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which of the
following is the priority assessment?
A. Bowel sounds
B. Deep tendon reflexes
C. Electrocardiogram (ECG) rhythm
D. Skin turgor
Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0) can cause life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.
Monitoring the ECG is the priority.
8. Which of the following describes ‘serosanguineous’ drainage from a wound?
A. Thick, yellow, or green drainage
B. Clear, watery plasma
C. Bright red, active bleeding
D. Pale pink, watery mixture of clear and red fluid
Answer: D
Rationale: Serosanguineous drainage is a mixture of serum and red blood cells, appearing
pale pink or watery.
Week 8 Comprehensive Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who is 24 hours postoperative following
abdominal surgery. The patient reports sudden chest pain and shortness of
breath. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Place the patient in High-Fowler’s position and apply oxygen
B. Administer the prescribed PRN analgesic
C. Check the surgical site for signs of evisceration
D. Encourage the patient to use the incentive spirometer
Answer: A
Rationale: The symptoms of sudden chest pain and shortness of breath are indicative of a
pulmonary embolism. Placing the patient in High-Fowler’s position and providing oxygen
are priority interventions to stabilize respiratory status.
2. When assessing a patient with fluid volume deficit, which of the following
laboratory values should the nurse expect to find?
A. Increased Hematocrit
B. Decreased Serum Osmolality
C. Decreased Urine Specific Gravity
D. Increased Serum Potassium
Answer: A
Rationale: In fluid volume deficit (dehydration), the blood becomes more concentrated,
leading to an increased hematocrit level.
,3. A patient’s Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg,
and HCO3 26 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these findings?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Acidosis
Answer: D
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and a PaCO2 above 45 mmHg indicates a
respiratory cause. The normal HCO3 suggests it is uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
4. The nurse is preparing to administer 0.5 mg of Digoxin orally. The medication
is available as 0.25 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse provide?
A. 0.5 tablets
B. 2 tablets
C. 1.5 tablets
D. 1 tablet
Answer: B
Rationale: Calculation: 0.5 mg divided by 0.25 mg per tablet equals 2 tablets.
5. Which assessment finding is an early sign of hypovolemic shock in a
postoperative patient?
A. Tachycardia
B. Hypertension
C. Bradycardia
D. Increased urine output
Answer: A
Rationale: Tachycardia is often the earliest sign of hypovolemic shock as the body
attempts to maintain cardiac output despite low volume.
, 6. The nurse notes a patient’s surgical wound has eviscerated. What is the
priority nursing action?
A. Apply dry sterile gauze to the site
B. Cover the protruding organs with sterile towels moistened with normal saline
C. Push the organs back into the abdominal cavity gently
D. Call the family to explain the situation
Answer: B
Rationale: Evisceration is a medical emergency. The nurse must protect the exposed tissue
by covering it with sterile dressings soaked in sterile normal saline to prevent drying and
infection.
7. A nurse is reviewing a patient’s potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which of the
following is the priority assessment?
A. Bowel sounds
B. Deep tendon reflexes
C. Electrocardiogram (ECG) rhythm
D. Skin turgor
Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0) can cause life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.
Monitoring the ECG is the priority.
8. Which of the following describes ‘serosanguineous’ drainage from a wound?
A. Thick, yellow, or green drainage
B. Clear, watery plasma
C. Bright red, active bleeding
D. Pale pink, watery mixture of clear and red fluid
Answer: D
Rationale: Serosanguineous drainage is a mixture of serum and red blood cells, appearing
pale pink or watery.
