NURS 121L-A | Medical-Surgical Nursing Practicum | Week 6
Comprehensive Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A post-operative patient is suspected of developing a pulmonary embolism.
Which of the following is the priority nursing action?
A. Apply high-flow oxygen via non-rebreather mask
B. Obtain an arterial blood gas (ABG) sample
C. Administer prescribed analgesic for chest pain
D. Perform a bedside chest X-ray
Answer: A
Rationale: While all actions may be performed, applying oxygen is the priority to maintain
tissue perfusion and address hypoxemia in a suspected PE.
2. When witnessing a patient sign a surgical informed consent, the nurse’s
signature primarily validates which of the following?
A. The patient’s signature is authentic and they appear competent
B. The patient understands the risks and benefits of the procedure
C. The surgeon has explained all alternatives to the patient
D. The nurse has answered all the patient’s medical questions
Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse’s signature witnesses that the patient is the one signing and that they
are doing so voluntarily and competently; the surgeon is responsible for the content of the
informed consent.
,3. An elderly patient has been vomiting for 48 hours. Which acid-base imbalance
should the nurse anticipate?
A. Metabolic alkalosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Answer: A
Rationale: Prolonged vomiting leads to the loss of gastric hydrochloric acid, resulting in an
excess of bicarbonate in the blood, known as metabolic alkalosis.
4. A patient’s ECG shows the presence of a prominent U-wave and flattened T-
waves. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypokalemia characteristically manifests on an ECG as flattened T-waves, ST-
segment depression, and the appearance of U-waves.
5. The nurse observes a loop of bowel protruding through a surgical incision.
What is the immediate priority action?
A. Push the bowel back into the abdominal cavity gently
B. Notify the surgeon and prepare the patient for surgery
C. Instruct the patient to perform the Valsalva maneuver to reduce the loop
D. Cover the protruding organ with sterile gauze soaked in normal saline
Answer: D
Rationale: Evisceration is a medical emergency; the protruding organ must be kept moist
and sterile with saline-soaked gauze to prevent tissue necrosis.
, 6. Which assessment finding in a patient with a Stage III pressure injury
indicates the injury is correctly staged?
A. Intact skin with non-blanchable redness
B. Partial-thickness loss of dermis presenting as a shallow open ulcer
C. Full-thickness tissue loss with visible subcutaneous fat
D. Full-thickness tissue loss with exposed bone or tendon
Answer: C
Rationale: Stage III involves full-thickness skin loss involving damage to or necrosis of
subcutaneous tissue that may extend down to, but not through, underlying fascia; fat may
be visible.
7. A patient is recovering from a general anesthetic. Which finding should the
nurse report to the provider as a possible early sign of malignant hyperthermia?
A. Temperature of 104°F (40°C)
B. Bradycardia and hypotension
C. Decreased end-tidal CO2 levels
D. Muscle rigidity and masseter spasm
Answer: D
Rationale: Muscle rigidity, especially of the jaw (masseter spasm), is often an early sign of
malignant hyperthermia, preceding the dramatic rise in temperature.
8. Which laboratory value is most indicative of a patient’s nutritional status for
wound healing?
A. Serum albumin
B. Serum potassium
C. White blood cell count
D. Hemoglobin level
Answer: A
Comprehensive Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A post-operative patient is suspected of developing a pulmonary embolism.
Which of the following is the priority nursing action?
A. Apply high-flow oxygen via non-rebreather mask
B. Obtain an arterial blood gas (ABG) sample
C. Administer prescribed analgesic for chest pain
D. Perform a bedside chest X-ray
Answer: A
Rationale: While all actions may be performed, applying oxygen is the priority to maintain
tissue perfusion and address hypoxemia in a suspected PE.
2. When witnessing a patient sign a surgical informed consent, the nurse’s
signature primarily validates which of the following?
A. The patient’s signature is authentic and they appear competent
B. The patient understands the risks and benefits of the procedure
C. The surgeon has explained all alternatives to the patient
D. The nurse has answered all the patient’s medical questions
Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse’s signature witnesses that the patient is the one signing and that they
are doing so voluntarily and competently; the surgeon is responsible for the content of the
informed consent.
,3. An elderly patient has been vomiting for 48 hours. Which acid-base imbalance
should the nurse anticipate?
A. Metabolic alkalosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Answer: A
Rationale: Prolonged vomiting leads to the loss of gastric hydrochloric acid, resulting in an
excess of bicarbonate in the blood, known as metabolic alkalosis.
4. A patient’s ECG shows the presence of a prominent U-wave and flattened T-
waves. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypokalemia characteristically manifests on an ECG as flattened T-waves, ST-
segment depression, and the appearance of U-waves.
5. The nurse observes a loop of bowel protruding through a surgical incision.
What is the immediate priority action?
A. Push the bowel back into the abdominal cavity gently
B. Notify the surgeon and prepare the patient for surgery
C. Instruct the patient to perform the Valsalva maneuver to reduce the loop
D. Cover the protruding organ with sterile gauze soaked in normal saline
Answer: D
Rationale: Evisceration is a medical emergency; the protruding organ must be kept moist
and sterile with saline-soaked gauze to prevent tissue necrosis.
, 6. Which assessment finding in a patient with a Stage III pressure injury
indicates the injury is correctly staged?
A. Intact skin with non-blanchable redness
B. Partial-thickness loss of dermis presenting as a shallow open ulcer
C. Full-thickness tissue loss with visible subcutaneous fat
D. Full-thickness tissue loss with exposed bone or tendon
Answer: C
Rationale: Stage III involves full-thickness skin loss involving damage to or necrosis of
subcutaneous tissue that may extend down to, but not through, underlying fascia; fat may
be visible.
7. A patient is recovering from a general anesthetic. Which finding should the
nurse report to the provider as a possible early sign of malignant hyperthermia?
A. Temperature of 104°F (40°C)
B. Bradycardia and hypotension
C. Decreased end-tidal CO2 levels
D. Muscle rigidity and masseter spasm
Answer: D
Rationale: Muscle rigidity, especially of the jaw (masseter spasm), is often an early sign of
malignant hyperthermia, preceding the dramatic rise in temperature.
8. Which laboratory value is most indicative of a patient’s nutritional status for
wound healing?
A. Serum albumin
B. Serum potassium
C. White blood cell count
D. Hemoglobin level
Answer: A
