NURS 120 | Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing | Module Exam 2
2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is assessing a patient who is 12 hours postoperative following
abdominal surgery. The patient’s heart rate is 115 bpm, blood pressure is 88/54
mmHg, and urine output has been 20 mL/hour for the past two hours. Which
complication should the nurse suspect first?
A. Hypovolemic shock
B. Pain-induced hypertension
C. Fluid volume overload
D. Normal postoperative recovery
Answer: A
Rationale: Tachycardia, hypotension, and oliguria are classic signs of hypovolemic shock,
often due to hemorrhage or fluid loss in the postoperative period.
2. When obtaining informed consent for a surgical procedure, what is the
primary responsibility of the nurse?
A. Explaining the risks and benefits of the procedure
B. Witnessing the patient’s signature on the consent form
C. Describing alternative treatments available
D. Ensuring the surgeon has provided the patient with a cost estimate
Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse’s role is to witness the patient’s signature and ensure the patient
appears competent to give consent; the surgeon is responsible for explaining the
procedure, risks, and benefits.
,3. During a surgical procedure, the anesthesiologist notes the patient has
developed muscle rigidity, a rapidly rising temperature, and tachycardia. Which
medication should the nurse prepare to administer immediately?
A. Naloxone
B. Atropine
C. Furosemide
D. Dantrolene sodium
Answer: D
Rationale: Dantrolene sodium is the specific treatment for malignant hyperthermia, a life-
threatening hypermetabolic state triggered by certain anesthetic agents.
4. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and
HCO3 24 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these findings?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Answer: D
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg with a normal
HCO3 indicates the cause is respiratory.
5. Which electrolyte imbalance is most associated with the presence of U waves
on an electrocardiogram (ECG)?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: D
, Rationale: Hypokalemia is characterized by the presence of U waves, ST-segment
depression, and flattened T waves on an ECG.
6. A patient is diagnosed with hypocalcemia. Which clinical manifestation
should the nurse expect to observe?
A. Muscle flaccidity
B. Positive Chvostek’s sign
C. Negative Trousseau’s sign
D. Hyporeflexia
Answer: B
Rationale: Positive Chvostek’s sign (facial twitching when the facial nerve is tapped) and
Trousseau’s sign (carpal spasm with BP cuff inflation) are hallmark signs of hypocalcemia.
7. A nurse is caring for a patient with a surgical wound that has been left open
to heal by the formation of granulation tissue. This is known as healing by:
A. Primary intention
B. Tertiary intention
C. Secondary intention
D. Quaternary intention
Answer: C
Rationale: Secondary intention occurs when a wound is left open to heal by granulation
and contraction, common in contaminated or deep wounds.
8. A patient with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is at
the highest risk for which acid-base imbalance?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Answer: D
2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is assessing a patient who is 12 hours postoperative following
abdominal surgery. The patient’s heart rate is 115 bpm, blood pressure is 88/54
mmHg, and urine output has been 20 mL/hour for the past two hours. Which
complication should the nurse suspect first?
A. Hypovolemic shock
B. Pain-induced hypertension
C. Fluid volume overload
D. Normal postoperative recovery
Answer: A
Rationale: Tachycardia, hypotension, and oliguria are classic signs of hypovolemic shock,
often due to hemorrhage or fluid loss in the postoperative period.
2. When obtaining informed consent for a surgical procedure, what is the
primary responsibility of the nurse?
A. Explaining the risks and benefits of the procedure
B. Witnessing the patient’s signature on the consent form
C. Describing alternative treatments available
D. Ensuring the surgeon has provided the patient with a cost estimate
Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse’s role is to witness the patient’s signature and ensure the patient
appears competent to give consent; the surgeon is responsible for explaining the
procedure, risks, and benefits.
,3. During a surgical procedure, the anesthesiologist notes the patient has
developed muscle rigidity, a rapidly rising temperature, and tachycardia. Which
medication should the nurse prepare to administer immediately?
A. Naloxone
B. Atropine
C. Furosemide
D. Dantrolene sodium
Answer: D
Rationale: Dantrolene sodium is the specific treatment for malignant hyperthermia, a life-
threatening hypermetabolic state triggered by certain anesthetic agents.
4. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and
HCO3 24 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these findings?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Answer: D
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg with a normal
HCO3 indicates the cause is respiratory.
5. Which electrolyte imbalance is most associated with the presence of U waves
on an electrocardiogram (ECG)?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: D
, Rationale: Hypokalemia is characterized by the presence of U waves, ST-segment
depression, and flattened T waves on an ECG.
6. A patient is diagnosed with hypocalcemia. Which clinical manifestation
should the nurse expect to observe?
A. Muscle flaccidity
B. Positive Chvostek’s sign
C. Negative Trousseau’s sign
D. Hyporeflexia
Answer: B
Rationale: Positive Chvostek’s sign (facial twitching when the facial nerve is tapped) and
Trousseau’s sign (carpal spasm with BP cuff inflation) are hallmark signs of hypocalcemia.
7. A nurse is caring for a patient with a surgical wound that has been left open
to heal by the formation of granulation tissue. This is known as healing by:
A. Primary intention
B. Tertiary intention
C. Secondary intention
D. Quaternary intention
Answer: C
Rationale: Secondary intention occurs when a wound is left open to heal by granulation
and contraction, common in contaminated or deep wounds.
8. A patient with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is at
the highest risk for which acid-base imbalance?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Answer: D
