NURS 120 | Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing | Week 5 Quiz
2026 |WCU
1. A patient’s potassium level is 6.8 mEq/L. Which electrocardiogram (ECG)
change should the nurse expect to see?
A. Presence of U waves
B. ST-segment depression
C. Tall, peaked T waves
D. Inverted T waves
Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) typically causes tall, peaked T waves,
widened QRS complexes, and potentially cardiac arrest. U waves are seen in hypokalemia.
2. An arterial blood gas (ABG) report shows: pH 7.28, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and
HCO3 24 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these results?
A. Metabolic Alkalosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Acidosis
Answer: B
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg with a normal
HCO3 indicates that the respiratory system is the cause of the acidosis.
,3. Which assessment finding is a positive Trousseau’s sign, indicating
hypocalcemia?
A. Twitching of the facial muscles when the facial nerve is tapped
B. Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes in the lower extremities
C. Numbness and tingling around the mouth and fingertips
D. Carpal spasm induced by inflating a blood pressure cuff above systolic pressure
Answer: D
Rationale: Trousseau’s sign is a carpal spasm caused by inflating a blood pressure cuff on
the upper arm, signaling hypocalcemia. Chvostek’s sign is the facial twitching.
4. When obtaining informed consent for a surgical procedure, what is the
nurse’s primary responsibility?
A. Explaining the risks and benefits of the surgery to the patient
B. Witnessing the patient’s signature and ensuring they signed voluntarily
C. Deciding if the patient is mentally capable of giving consent
D. Describing alternative treatments available to the patient
Answer: B
Rationale: The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure, risks, and benefits.
The nurse’s role is to witness the signature and verify the patient is competent and signing
of their own free will.
5. A patient develops a temperature of 104°F (40°C) and muscle rigidity shortly
after general anesthesia induction. Which medication should the nurse prepare?
A. Epinephrine
B. Atropine sulfate
C. Dantrolene sodium
D. Naloxone
Answer: C
, Rationale: Malignant Hyperthermia is a life-threatening complication of general
anesthesia. Dantrolene is the specific skeletal muscle relaxant used to treat it.
6. A patient has been undergoing prolonged nasogastric (NG) suctioning. Which
acid-base imbalance is this patient at highest risk for?
A. Metabolic Alkalosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: NG suctioning removes gastric acid (hydrochloric acid), leading to a loss of
hydrogen ions and resulting in metabolic alkalosis.
7. A patient with Diabetes Insipidus is producing large amounts of dilute urine
and has a serum sodium of 155 mEq/L. Which condition does this reflect?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypovolemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: A
Rationale: A serum sodium level above 145 mEq/L is hypernatremia, often caused by
excessive water loss as seen in Diabetes Insipidus.
8. On the second postoperative day, a patient’s abdominal wound opens and
bowel loops are protruding. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Cover the wound with a sterile dressing moistened with normal saline
B. Push the organs back into the abdominal cavity immediately
C. Place the patient in a High-Fowler’s position
D. Call the family to provide emotional support
Answer: A
2026 |WCU
1. A patient’s potassium level is 6.8 mEq/L. Which electrocardiogram (ECG)
change should the nurse expect to see?
A. Presence of U waves
B. ST-segment depression
C. Tall, peaked T waves
D. Inverted T waves
Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) typically causes tall, peaked T waves,
widened QRS complexes, and potentially cardiac arrest. U waves are seen in hypokalemia.
2. An arterial blood gas (ABG) report shows: pH 7.28, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and
HCO3 24 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these results?
A. Metabolic Alkalosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Acidosis
Answer: B
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg with a normal
HCO3 indicates that the respiratory system is the cause of the acidosis.
,3. Which assessment finding is a positive Trousseau’s sign, indicating
hypocalcemia?
A. Twitching of the facial muscles when the facial nerve is tapped
B. Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes in the lower extremities
C. Numbness and tingling around the mouth and fingertips
D. Carpal spasm induced by inflating a blood pressure cuff above systolic pressure
Answer: D
Rationale: Trousseau’s sign is a carpal spasm caused by inflating a blood pressure cuff on
the upper arm, signaling hypocalcemia. Chvostek’s sign is the facial twitching.
4. When obtaining informed consent for a surgical procedure, what is the
nurse’s primary responsibility?
A. Explaining the risks and benefits of the surgery to the patient
B. Witnessing the patient’s signature and ensuring they signed voluntarily
C. Deciding if the patient is mentally capable of giving consent
D. Describing alternative treatments available to the patient
Answer: B
Rationale: The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure, risks, and benefits.
The nurse’s role is to witness the signature and verify the patient is competent and signing
of their own free will.
5. A patient develops a temperature of 104°F (40°C) and muscle rigidity shortly
after general anesthesia induction. Which medication should the nurse prepare?
A. Epinephrine
B. Atropine sulfate
C. Dantrolene sodium
D. Naloxone
Answer: C
, Rationale: Malignant Hyperthermia is a life-threatening complication of general
anesthesia. Dantrolene is the specific skeletal muscle relaxant used to treat it.
6. A patient has been undergoing prolonged nasogastric (NG) suctioning. Which
acid-base imbalance is this patient at highest risk for?
A. Metabolic Alkalosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: NG suctioning removes gastric acid (hydrochloric acid), leading to a loss of
hydrogen ions and resulting in metabolic alkalosis.
7. A patient with Diabetes Insipidus is producing large amounts of dilute urine
and has a serum sodium of 155 mEq/L. Which condition does this reflect?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypovolemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: A
Rationale: A serum sodium level above 145 mEq/L is hypernatremia, often caused by
excessive water loss as seen in Diabetes Insipidus.
8. On the second postoperative day, a patient’s abdominal wound opens and
bowel loops are protruding. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Cover the wound with a sterile dressing moistened with normal saline
B. Push the organs back into the abdominal cavity immediately
C. Place the patient in a High-Fowler’s position
D. Call the family to provide emotional support
Answer: A
