NURS 120 | Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing | Week 7 Quiz
2026 |WCU
1. A post-operative patient reports a sudden onset of chest pain and shortness
of breath. Which complication should the nurse suspect first?
A. Pulmonary Embolism
B. Atelectasis
C. Myocardial Infarction
D. Pneumonia
Answer: A
Rationale: Sudden chest pain and dyspnea in a post-operative patient are classic signs of a
pulmonary embolism, a common complication due to venous stasis during surgery.
2. The nurse is caring for a patient with a potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which
ECG change is most characteristic of this imbalance?
A. Peaked T waves
B. Presence of U waves
C. Widened QRS complex
D. Shortened QT interval
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypokalemia (potassium < 3.5 mEq/L) typically presents with U waves, ST-
segment depression, and flat or inverted T waves.
,3. When assessing a patient for Trousseau’s sign, which action should the nurse
take?
A. Inflate a blood pressure cuff on the upper arm.
B. Tap the facial nerve in front of the ear.
C. Observe for carpopedal spasm after releasing the cuff.
D. Ask the patient to hyperventilate for 30 seconds.
Answer: A
Rationale: Trousseau’s sign is assessed by inflating a BP cuff above systolic pressure for 3
minutes; a positive sign is indicated by carpopedal spasm.
4. A patient’s ABG results are: pH 7.31, PaCO2 52 mmHg, HCO3 26 mEq/L. How
should the nurse interpret these results?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: A low pH (< 7.35) and an elevated PaCO2 (> 45 mmHg) indicate respiratory
acidosis.
5. Which medication is the primary treatment for Malignant Hyperthermia
during surgery?
A. Dantrolene
B. Atropine
C. Succinylcholine
D. Epinephrine
Answer: A
Rationale: Dantrolene sodium is a skeletal muscle relaxant used specifically to treat the
crisis of malignant hyperthermia.
, 6. During the preoperative phase, what is the nurse’s primary responsibility
regarding informed consent?
A. Explaining the risks and benefits of the procedure.
B. Ensuring the surgeon has provided the information.
C. Witnessing the patient’s signature on the form.
D. Choosing the best surgical approach for the patient.
Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse’s role is to witness the signature and verify that the patient is
competent; the surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure.
7. Which assessment finding is an early indicator of hypovolemic shock in a
post-operative patient?
A. Decreased blood pressure
B. Increased heart rate
C. Decreased urine output
D. Cold, clammy skin
Answer: B
Rationale: Tachycardia is one of the earliest compensatory mechanisms for decreased
circulating volume.
8. A patient describes their pain as ‘burning and shooting’. The nurse identifies
this as which type of pain?
A. Somatic pain
B. Visceral pain
C. Neuropathic pain
D. Psychogenic pain
Answer: C
Rationale: Neuropathic pain is caused by nerve damage and is often described as burning,
stabbing, or shooting.
2026 |WCU
1. A post-operative patient reports a sudden onset of chest pain and shortness
of breath. Which complication should the nurse suspect first?
A. Pulmonary Embolism
B. Atelectasis
C. Myocardial Infarction
D. Pneumonia
Answer: A
Rationale: Sudden chest pain and dyspnea in a post-operative patient are classic signs of a
pulmonary embolism, a common complication due to venous stasis during surgery.
2. The nurse is caring for a patient with a potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which
ECG change is most characteristic of this imbalance?
A. Peaked T waves
B. Presence of U waves
C. Widened QRS complex
D. Shortened QT interval
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypokalemia (potassium < 3.5 mEq/L) typically presents with U waves, ST-
segment depression, and flat or inverted T waves.
,3. When assessing a patient for Trousseau’s sign, which action should the nurse
take?
A. Inflate a blood pressure cuff on the upper arm.
B. Tap the facial nerve in front of the ear.
C. Observe for carpopedal spasm after releasing the cuff.
D. Ask the patient to hyperventilate for 30 seconds.
Answer: A
Rationale: Trousseau’s sign is assessed by inflating a BP cuff above systolic pressure for 3
minutes; a positive sign is indicated by carpopedal spasm.
4. A patient’s ABG results are: pH 7.31, PaCO2 52 mmHg, HCO3 26 mEq/L. How
should the nurse interpret these results?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: A low pH (< 7.35) and an elevated PaCO2 (> 45 mmHg) indicate respiratory
acidosis.
5. Which medication is the primary treatment for Malignant Hyperthermia
during surgery?
A. Dantrolene
B. Atropine
C. Succinylcholine
D. Epinephrine
Answer: A
Rationale: Dantrolene sodium is a skeletal muscle relaxant used specifically to treat the
crisis of malignant hyperthermia.
, 6. During the preoperative phase, what is the nurse’s primary responsibility
regarding informed consent?
A. Explaining the risks and benefits of the procedure.
B. Ensuring the surgeon has provided the information.
C. Witnessing the patient’s signature on the form.
D. Choosing the best surgical approach for the patient.
Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse’s role is to witness the signature and verify that the patient is
competent; the surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure.
7. Which assessment finding is an early indicator of hypovolemic shock in a
post-operative patient?
A. Decreased blood pressure
B. Increased heart rate
C. Decreased urine output
D. Cold, clammy skin
Answer: B
Rationale: Tachycardia is one of the earliest compensatory mechanisms for decreased
circulating volume.
8. A patient describes their pain as ‘burning and shooting’. The nurse identifies
this as which type of pain?
A. Somatic pain
B. Visceral pain
C. Neuropathic pain
D. Psychogenic pain
Answer: C
Rationale: Neuropathic pain is caused by nerve damage and is often described as burning,
stabbing, or shooting.
