NURS 120 | Medical-Surgical Nursing | Week 9 Comprehensive Quiz
2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is reviewing the preoperative checklist for a client scheduled for an
elective cholecystectomy. Which finding is the highest priority to report to the
surgeon?
A. The client’s potassium level is 3.2 mEq/L.
B. The client is wearing a medic-alert bracelet for a penicillin allergy.
C. The client had a small sip of water 4 hours ago.
D. The client expresses anxiety about the postoperative pain.
Answer: A
Rationale: A potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia, which increases the risk
of cardiac arrhythmias during anesthesia and must be corrected before surgery.
2. During the intraoperative phase, a client develops a heart rate of 140 bpm,
muscle rigidity, and a rapidly rising core temperature. Which medication should
the nurse prepare for administration?
A. Dantrolene sodium
B. Atropine sulfate
C. Epinephrine
D. Naloxone
Answer: A
Rationale: The symptoms describe Malignant Hyperthermia, a life-threatening
complication of general anesthesia. Dantrolene sodium is the specific skeletal muscle
relaxant used to treat it.
,3. A patient is 2 hours postoperative following abdominal surgery. The nurse
notes the patient is restless and the surgical dressing is saturated with bright
red blood. Which action is the priority?
A. Change the dressing to assess the wound site.
B. Increase the IV fluid rate as per protocol.
C. Reinforce the dressing and notify the surgeon.
D. Administer prescribed pain medication.
Answer: C
Rationale: The initial postoperative dressing should be reinforced, not removed by the
nurse, to prevent further trauma. Sanguineous drainage indicates active bleeding and
requires surgical notification.
4. A nurse is assessing a client with a history of chronic alcoholism and
malnutrition. The client is experiencing tremors and hyperactive deep tendon
reflexes. Which electrolyte imbalance should the nurse suspect?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypomagnesemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypomagnesemia is common in chronic alcoholism and manifests with
neuromuscular irritability, such as tremors and hyperreflexia.
, 5. The nurse interprets the following ABG results: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg,
HCO3 26 mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance is present?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Acidosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: The pH is below 7.35 (acidosis) and the PaCO2 is above 45 mmHg (respiratory
origin), while the bicarbonate is normal, indicating respiratory acidosis.
6. A client is scheduled for surgery and the nurse discovers the client does not
fully understand the risks of the procedure, despite having signed the consent
form. What is the nurse’s best action?
A. Notify the surgeon that the client needs further explanation.
B. Proceed with preoperative preparations.
C. Explain the risks of the procedure to the client.
D. Ask the client’s spouse to explain the procedure.
Answer: A
Rationale: The surgeon is responsible for providing informed consent. If the nurse
identifies a lack of understanding, the surgeon must be notified to clarify the procedure for
the client.
7. Which assessment finding in a postoperative client should the nurse identify
as a manifestation of a pulmonary embolism?
A. Productive cough with yellow sputum
B. Hypotension and bradycardia
C. Sudden onset of shortness of breath and chest pain
D. Unilateral leg edema and redness
Answer: C
2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is reviewing the preoperative checklist for a client scheduled for an
elective cholecystectomy. Which finding is the highest priority to report to the
surgeon?
A. The client’s potassium level is 3.2 mEq/L.
B. The client is wearing a medic-alert bracelet for a penicillin allergy.
C. The client had a small sip of water 4 hours ago.
D. The client expresses anxiety about the postoperative pain.
Answer: A
Rationale: A potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia, which increases the risk
of cardiac arrhythmias during anesthesia and must be corrected before surgery.
2. During the intraoperative phase, a client develops a heart rate of 140 bpm,
muscle rigidity, and a rapidly rising core temperature. Which medication should
the nurse prepare for administration?
A. Dantrolene sodium
B. Atropine sulfate
C. Epinephrine
D. Naloxone
Answer: A
Rationale: The symptoms describe Malignant Hyperthermia, a life-threatening
complication of general anesthesia. Dantrolene sodium is the specific skeletal muscle
relaxant used to treat it.
,3. A patient is 2 hours postoperative following abdominal surgery. The nurse
notes the patient is restless and the surgical dressing is saturated with bright
red blood. Which action is the priority?
A. Change the dressing to assess the wound site.
B. Increase the IV fluid rate as per protocol.
C. Reinforce the dressing and notify the surgeon.
D. Administer prescribed pain medication.
Answer: C
Rationale: The initial postoperative dressing should be reinforced, not removed by the
nurse, to prevent further trauma. Sanguineous drainage indicates active bleeding and
requires surgical notification.
4. A nurse is assessing a client with a history of chronic alcoholism and
malnutrition. The client is experiencing tremors and hyperactive deep tendon
reflexes. Which electrolyte imbalance should the nurse suspect?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypomagnesemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypomagnesemia is common in chronic alcoholism and manifests with
neuromuscular irritability, such as tremors and hyperreflexia.
, 5. The nurse interprets the following ABG results: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg,
HCO3 26 mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance is present?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Acidosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: The pH is below 7.35 (acidosis) and the PaCO2 is above 45 mmHg (respiratory
origin), while the bicarbonate is normal, indicating respiratory acidosis.
6. A client is scheduled for surgery and the nurse discovers the client does not
fully understand the risks of the procedure, despite having signed the consent
form. What is the nurse’s best action?
A. Notify the surgeon that the client needs further explanation.
B. Proceed with preoperative preparations.
C. Explain the risks of the procedure to the client.
D. Ask the client’s spouse to explain the procedure.
Answer: A
Rationale: The surgeon is responsible for providing informed consent. If the nurse
identifies a lack of understanding, the surgeon must be notified to clarify the procedure for
the client.
7. Which assessment finding in a postoperative client should the nurse identify
as a manifestation of a pulmonary embolism?
A. Productive cough with yellow sputum
B. Hypotension and bradycardia
C. Sudden onset of shortness of breath and chest pain
D. Unilateral leg edema and redness
Answer: C
