NURS 120 | Medical-Surgical Nursing | Week 12 Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A patient with a history of COPD presents with a pH of 7.33, PaCO2 of 52
mmHg, and HCO3 of 29 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these arterial
blood gas (ABG) results?
A. Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
B. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
C. Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: The pH is below 7.35 (acidosis), the PaCO2 is elevated (respiratory cause), and
the HCO3 is elevated (indicating the kidneys are attempting to compensate). Because the
pH is not yet within normal range, it is partially compensated.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who is 4 hours postoperative. The client’s oxygen
saturation drops from 98% to 91% on room air. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Encourage the client to cough and deep breathe
B. Notify the rapid response team
C. Request a stat chest X-ray
D. Administer ordered PRN pain medication
Answer: A
Rationale: In the early postoperative period, a drop in oxygen saturation is often caused by
atelectasis. Encouraging coughing and deep breathing helps re-expand alveoli and improve
gas exchange.
,3. Which clinical manifestation should the nurse recognize as an early sign of
Malignant Hyperthermia during surgery?
A. Hyperpyrexia (Temperature > 104°F)
B. Bradycardia and hypotension
C. Muscle rigidity and tachycardia
D. Profuse diaphoresis
Answer: C
Rationale: Muscle rigidity (especially of the jaw) and unexplained tachycardia are the
earliest signs of Malignant Hyperthermia. Elevated temperature is often a late sign.
4. A patient is prescribed Rifampin for the treatment of active Tuberculosis.
What education should the nurse prioritize?
A. Urine and sweat may turn an orange-red color
B. Avoid driving due to potential blurred vision
C. Limit intake of leafy green vegetables
D. Stop the medication once the cough resolves
Answer: A
Rationale: Rifampin causes harmless discoloration (orange-red) of body fluids. Blurred
vision is associated with Ethambutol.
5. The nurse is assessing a client with a chest tube connected to a water-seal
drainage system. Constant bubbling is noted in the water-seal chamber. What
does this indicate?
A. The system is functioning normally
B. The lung has fully re-expanded
C. The suction pressure is too high
D. There is an air leak in the system
Answer: D
, Rationale: Constant bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air leak between the
patient and the drainage system. Intermittent bubbling is normal during expiration or
coughing.
6. A nurse is teaching a patient with asthma about using a Peak Flow Meter.
Which instruction is correct?
A. Perform the test three times and record the highest reading
B. Inhale as deeply as possible through the meter
C. Perform the test while lying flat in bed
D. Record the average of three consecutive attempts
Answer: A
Rationale: To get an accurate peak expiratory flow rate, the patient should perform the
maneuver three times and record the highest of the three values, not the average.
7. When assessing a client with bacterial pneumonia, the nurse notes dullness
to percussion over the left lower lobe. This finding is consistent with:
A. Pneumothorax
B. Hyperinflation of the lungs
C. Alveolar consolidation
D. Normal lung tissue
Answer: C
Rationale: Dullness on percussion occurs when fluid or solid tissue replaces air-filled lung
spaces, such as in pneumonia (consolidation) or pleural effusion.
1. A patient with a history of COPD presents with a pH of 7.33, PaCO2 of 52
mmHg, and HCO3 of 29 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these arterial
blood gas (ABG) results?
A. Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
B. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
C. Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: The pH is below 7.35 (acidosis), the PaCO2 is elevated (respiratory cause), and
the HCO3 is elevated (indicating the kidneys are attempting to compensate). Because the
pH is not yet within normal range, it is partially compensated.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who is 4 hours postoperative. The client’s oxygen
saturation drops from 98% to 91% on room air. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Encourage the client to cough and deep breathe
B. Notify the rapid response team
C. Request a stat chest X-ray
D. Administer ordered PRN pain medication
Answer: A
Rationale: In the early postoperative period, a drop in oxygen saturation is often caused by
atelectasis. Encouraging coughing and deep breathing helps re-expand alveoli and improve
gas exchange.
,3. Which clinical manifestation should the nurse recognize as an early sign of
Malignant Hyperthermia during surgery?
A. Hyperpyrexia (Temperature > 104°F)
B. Bradycardia and hypotension
C. Muscle rigidity and tachycardia
D. Profuse diaphoresis
Answer: C
Rationale: Muscle rigidity (especially of the jaw) and unexplained tachycardia are the
earliest signs of Malignant Hyperthermia. Elevated temperature is often a late sign.
4. A patient is prescribed Rifampin for the treatment of active Tuberculosis.
What education should the nurse prioritize?
A. Urine and sweat may turn an orange-red color
B. Avoid driving due to potential blurred vision
C. Limit intake of leafy green vegetables
D. Stop the medication once the cough resolves
Answer: A
Rationale: Rifampin causes harmless discoloration (orange-red) of body fluids. Blurred
vision is associated with Ethambutol.
5. The nurse is assessing a client with a chest tube connected to a water-seal
drainage system. Constant bubbling is noted in the water-seal chamber. What
does this indicate?
A. The system is functioning normally
B. The lung has fully re-expanded
C. The suction pressure is too high
D. There is an air leak in the system
Answer: D
, Rationale: Constant bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air leak between the
patient and the drainage system. Intermittent bubbling is normal during expiration or
coughing.
6. A nurse is teaching a patient with asthma about using a Peak Flow Meter.
Which instruction is correct?
A. Perform the test three times and record the highest reading
B. Inhale as deeply as possible through the meter
C. Perform the test while lying flat in bed
D. Record the average of three consecutive attempts
Answer: A
Rationale: To get an accurate peak expiratory flow rate, the patient should perform the
maneuver three times and record the highest of the three values, not the average.
7. When assessing a client with bacterial pneumonia, the nurse notes dullness
to percussion over the left lower lobe. This finding is consistent with:
A. Pneumothorax
B. Hyperinflation of the lungs
C. Alveolar consolidation
D. Normal lung tissue
Answer: C
Rationale: Dullness on percussion occurs when fluid or solid tissue replaces air-filled lung
spaces, such as in pneumonia (consolidation) or pleural effusion.
