NURS 120 | Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing | Week 4 Quiz
2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is 24 hours postoperative following
abdominal surgery. The client reports a sudden onset of chest pain and
shortness of breath. Which of the following is the priority action?
A. Administer the prescribed PRN analgesic for pain.
B. Perform an EKG to rule out myocardial infarction.
C. Encourage the use of the incentive spirometer.
D. Apply supplemental oxygen and notify the Rapid Response Team.
Answer: D
Rationale: Sudden onset of chest pain and dyspnea postoperative suggests a pulmonary
embolism, which is a medical emergency requiring immediate oxygenation and rapid
intervention.
2. Which of the following electrolyte imbalances is most closely associated with
the development of Trousseau’s sign and Chvostek’s sign?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypocalcemia causes neuromuscular irritability, leading to positive Chvostek’s
sign (facial twitching) and Trousseau’s sign (carpal spasm with BP cuff inflation).
,3. A client presents with a pH of 7.30, a PaCO2 of 52 mmHg, and an HCO3 of 26
mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these arterial blood gas (ABG) results?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg indicates a
respiratory cause. Since the HCO3 is within the normal range, it is uncompensated
respiratory acidosis.
4. When obtaining informed consent for a surgical procedure, which of the
following is the primary responsibility of the nurse?
A. Witnessing the client’s signature on the consent form.
B. Explaining the risks and benefits of the surgery to the client.
C. Discussing alternative treatment options with the client.
D. Ensuring the surgeon has provided all necessary medical details.
Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse’s role is to witness the signature, ensure the client is competent to
sign, and verify that the client understands that they are signing a consent form. The
surgeon is responsible for the explanation.
5. A client is prescribed a 3% sodium chloride IV infusion. The nurse understands
that this fluid is classified as which of the following?
A. Isotonic
B. Hypertonic
C. Hypotonic
D. Colloid
Answer: B
, Rationale: 3% NaCl is hypertonic because it has a higher osmolarity than plasma, causing
fluid to shift from the intracellular space to the extracellular space.
6. Which clinical manifestation should the nurse prioritize when assessing a
client for malignant hyperthermia during general anesthesia?
A. Hyperthermia of 105°F (40.5°C)
B. Bradycardia and hypotension
C. Decreased end-tidal carbon dioxide levels
D. Muscle rigidity and jaw clenching
Answer: D
Rationale: While high fever is a late sign, muscle rigidity (specifically masseter muscle
rigidity) and increased end-tidal CO2 are early, critical indicators of malignant
hyperthermia.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which of the
following EKG changes should the nurse expect to see?
A. Prominent U waves
B. ST-segment depression
C. Tall, peaked T waves
D. Prolonged QT interval
Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0) typically causes peaked T waves and widened QRS
complexes, which can lead to cardiac arrest if untreated.
2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is 24 hours postoperative following
abdominal surgery. The client reports a sudden onset of chest pain and
shortness of breath. Which of the following is the priority action?
A. Administer the prescribed PRN analgesic for pain.
B. Perform an EKG to rule out myocardial infarction.
C. Encourage the use of the incentive spirometer.
D. Apply supplemental oxygen and notify the Rapid Response Team.
Answer: D
Rationale: Sudden onset of chest pain and dyspnea postoperative suggests a pulmonary
embolism, which is a medical emergency requiring immediate oxygenation and rapid
intervention.
2. Which of the following electrolyte imbalances is most closely associated with
the development of Trousseau’s sign and Chvostek’s sign?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypocalcemia causes neuromuscular irritability, leading to positive Chvostek’s
sign (facial twitching) and Trousseau’s sign (carpal spasm with BP cuff inflation).
,3. A client presents with a pH of 7.30, a PaCO2 of 52 mmHg, and an HCO3 of 26
mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these arterial blood gas (ABG) results?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg indicates a
respiratory cause. Since the HCO3 is within the normal range, it is uncompensated
respiratory acidosis.
4. When obtaining informed consent for a surgical procedure, which of the
following is the primary responsibility of the nurse?
A. Witnessing the client’s signature on the consent form.
B. Explaining the risks and benefits of the surgery to the client.
C. Discussing alternative treatment options with the client.
D. Ensuring the surgeon has provided all necessary medical details.
Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse’s role is to witness the signature, ensure the client is competent to
sign, and verify that the client understands that they are signing a consent form. The
surgeon is responsible for the explanation.
5. A client is prescribed a 3% sodium chloride IV infusion. The nurse understands
that this fluid is classified as which of the following?
A. Isotonic
B. Hypertonic
C. Hypotonic
D. Colloid
Answer: B
, Rationale: 3% NaCl is hypertonic because it has a higher osmolarity than plasma, causing
fluid to shift from the intracellular space to the extracellular space.
6. Which clinical manifestation should the nurse prioritize when assessing a
client for malignant hyperthermia during general anesthesia?
A. Hyperthermia of 105°F (40.5°C)
B. Bradycardia and hypotension
C. Decreased end-tidal carbon dioxide levels
D. Muscle rigidity and jaw clenching
Answer: D
Rationale: While high fever is a late sign, muscle rigidity (specifically masseter muscle
rigidity) and increased end-tidal CO2 are early, critical indicators of malignant
hyperthermia.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which of the
following EKG changes should the nurse expect to see?
A. Prominent U waves
B. ST-segment depression
C. Tall, peaked T waves
D. Prolonged QT interval
Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0) typically causes peaked T waves and widened QRS
complexes, which can lead to cardiac arrest if untreated.
