NURS 120 Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing Comprehensive
Final Exam 2026 |WCU
1. 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. The PaCO2 is elevated (normal 35-45),
while the HCO3 is within normal range, identifying the respiratory system as the cause.
2. Which electrocardiogram (ECG) change is most characteristic of a patient with
a serum potassium level of 6.4 mEq/L?
A. ST-segment depression
B. Prominent U waves
C. Tall, peaked T waves
D. Shortened PR interval
Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0) causes peaked T waves, widened QRS complexes, and
potentially cardiac arrest. U waves are seen in hypokalemia.
,3. The nurse is assessing a patient for Trousseau’s sign. Which electrolyte
imbalance is this assessment technique used to detect?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: A
Rationale: Trousseau’s sign (carpal spasm induced by inflating a blood pressure cuff) and
Chvostek’s sign are classic indicators of hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia.
4. A patient is admitted with a large wound infected with Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Which precautions must the nurse implement?
A. Droplet precautions
B. Airborne precautions
C. Standard precautions only
D. Contact precautions
Answer: D
Rationale: MRSA is spread by direct or indirect contact. Contact precautions require gown
and gloves to prevent transmission.
5. During surgery, a patient develops tachycardia, muscle rigidity, and a rapidly
rising temperature. Which medication should the nurse prepare?
A. Dantrolene sodium
B. Atropine
C. Epinephrine
D. Naloxone
Answer: A
Rationale: These are signs of Malignant Hyperthermia, a life-threatening anesthesia
complication. Dantrolene is the specific skeletal muscle relaxant used for treatment.
, 6. A nurse observes a pressure injury that has full-thickness skin loss involving
damage to the subcutaneous tissue, but bone and tendon are not exposed. How
is this staged?
A. Stage 1
B. Stage 3
C. Stage 2
D. Stage 4
Answer: B
Rationale: Stage 3 involves full-thickness skin loss down to the fascia. Stage 4 involves
exposed muscle, bone, or tendon.
7. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes is found confused and diaphoretic. What is the
priority nursing action?
A. Call the provider for a stat CT scan
B. Administer 10 units of Regular insulin
C. Check blood glucose level
D. Provide a high-protein snack
Answer: C
Rationale: Confusion and diaphoresis are signs of hypoglycemia. The nurse must first
confirm glucose levels before treating.
8. Which medication is the primary reversal agent for a patient experiencing
respiratory depression due to opioid overdose?
A. Flumazenil
B. Naloxone
C. Acetylcysteine
D. Protamine sulfate
Answer: B
Final Exam 2026 |WCU
1. 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. The PaCO2 is elevated (normal 35-45),
while the HCO3 is within normal range, identifying the respiratory system as the cause.
2. Which electrocardiogram (ECG) change is most characteristic of a patient with
a serum potassium level of 6.4 mEq/L?
A. ST-segment depression
B. Prominent U waves
C. Tall, peaked T waves
D. Shortened PR interval
Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0) causes peaked T waves, widened QRS complexes, and
potentially cardiac arrest. U waves are seen in hypokalemia.
,3. The nurse is assessing a patient for Trousseau’s sign. Which electrolyte
imbalance is this assessment technique used to detect?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: A
Rationale: Trousseau’s sign (carpal spasm induced by inflating a blood pressure cuff) and
Chvostek’s sign are classic indicators of hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia.
4. A patient is admitted with a large wound infected with Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Which precautions must the nurse implement?
A. Droplet precautions
B. Airborne precautions
C. Standard precautions only
D. Contact precautions
Answer: D
Rationale: MRSA is spread by direct or indirect contact. Contact precautions require gown
and gloves to prevent transmission.
5. During surgery, a patient develops tachycardia, muscle rigidity, and a rapidly
rising temperature. Which medication should the nurse prepare?
A. Dantrolene sodium
B. Atropine
C. Epinephrine
D. Naloxone
Answer: A
Rationale: These are signs of Malignant Hyperthermia, a life-threatening anesthesia
complication. Dantrolene is the specific skeletal muscle relaxant used for treatment.
, 6. A nurse observes a pressure injury that has full-thickness skin loss involving
damage to the subcutaneous tissue, but bone and tendon are not exposed. How
is this staged?
A. Stage 1
B. Stage 3
C. Stage 2
D. Stage 4
Answer: B
Rationale: Stage 3 involves full-thickness skin loss down to the fascia. Stage 4 involves
exposed muscle, bone, or tendon.
7. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes is found confused and diaphoretic. What is the
priority nursing action?
A. Call the provider for a stat CT scan
B. Administer 10 units of Regular insulin
C. Check blood glucose level
D. Provide a high-protein snack
Answer: C
Rationale: Confusion and diaphoresis are signs of hypoglycemia. The nurse must first
confirm glucose levels before treating.
8. Which medication is the primary reversal agent for a patient experiencing
respiratory depression due to opioid overdose?
A. Flumazenil
B. Naloxone
C. Acetylcysteine
D. Protamine sulfate
Answer: B
