NURS 121L-A | Medical-Surgical Nursing Practicum | Module Exam 1
2026 |WCU
1. When a nurse is preparing a patient for surgery, which action is most critical
regarding the informed consent process?
A. Ensuring the surgeon has explained the risks and benefits of the procedure
B. Explaining the surgical technique to the patient in detail
C. Clarifying the risks of anesthesia that the surgeon might have missed
D. Witnessing the patient sign the consent form after verifying their understanding
Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse’s primary role in informed consent is to witness the patient’s
signature and verify that the patient appears to understand the procedure. The surgeon is
responsible for explaining the risks, benefits, and alternatives.
2. A patient in the PACU exhibits tachycardia, muscle rigidity, and a rapidly
rising temperature. Which medication should the nurse expect to administer
immediately?
A. Dantrolene sodium
B. Epinephrine
C. Furosemide
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. Which assessment finding should the nurse prioritize as the earliest sign of
hypovolemic shock in a post-operative patient?
A. Cool, clammy skin
B. Decreased blood pressure
C. Oliguria
D. Increased heart rate
Answer: D
Rationale: Tachycardia is often the earliest compensatory mechanism for hypovolemia as
the body attempts to maintain cardiac output. Hypotension is a later sign.
4. A post-operative patient is using incentive spirometry. The nurse knows the
primary goal of this intervention is to prevent:
A. Atelectasis
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Deep vein thrombosis
D. Pneumothorax
Answer: A
Rationale: Incentive spirometry promotes deep breathing and lung expansion, which helps
prevent the collapse of alveoli (atelectasis) following surgery.
5. A patient’s abdominal wound has eviscerated. What is the immediate nursing
action?
A. Apply a dry sterile dressing tightly
B. Reinsert the protruding organs gently
C. Place the patient in High-Fowler’s position
D. Cover the wound with sterile saline-soaked gauze
Answer: D
, Rationale: Evisceration requires covering the exposed organs with sterile, moist (saline)
dressings to prevent drying and infection, while keeping the patient supine with knees
flexed.
6. The nurse assesses a patient with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L.
Which EKG change is most likely?
A. Prominent U waves
B. Tall, peaked T waves
C. Flattened T waves
D. ST-segment depression
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0 mEq/L) typically manifests as tall, peaked T waves,
widened QRS complexes, and potentially cardiac arrest.
7. Which member of the surgical team is responsible for maintaining the sterile
field and passing instruments?
A. Circulating nurse
B. Anesthesiologist
C. Scrub nurse
D. Surgeon’s assistant
Answer: C
Rationale: The scrub nurse (or scrub technician) works within the sterile field, managing
instruments and ensuring sterile technique is maintained.
2026 |WCU
1. When a nurse is preparing a patient for surgery, which action is most critical
regarding the informed consent process?
A. Ensuring the surgeon has explained the risks and benefits of the procedure
B. Explaining the surgical technique to the patient in detail
C. Clarifying the risks of anesthesia that the surgeon might have missed
D. Witnessing the patient sign the consent form after verifying their understanding
Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse’s primary role in informed consent is to witness the patient’s
signature and verify that the patient appears to understand the procedure. The surgeon is
responsible for explaining the risks, benefits, and alternatives.
2. A patient in the PACU exhibits tachycardia, muscle rigidity, and a rapidly
rising temperature. Which medication should the nurse expect to administer
immediately?
A. Dantrolene sodium
B. Epinephrine
C. Furosemide
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. Which assessment finding should the nurse prioritize as the earliest sign of
hypovolemic shock in a post-operative patient?
A. Cool, clammy skin
B. Decreased blood pressure
C. Oliguria
D. Increased heart rate
Answer: D
Rationale: Tachycardia is often the earliest compensatory mechanism for hypovolemia as
the body attempts to maintain cardiac output. Hypotension is a later sign.
4. A post-operative patient is using incentive spirometry. The nurse knows the
primary goal of this intervention is to prevent:
A. Atelectasis
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Deep vein thrombosis
D. Pneumothorax
Answer: A
Rationale: Incentive spirometry promotes deep breathing and lung expansion, which helps
prevent the collapse of alveoli (atelectasis) following surgery.
5. A patient’s abdominal wound has eviscerated. What is the immediate nursing
action?
A. Apply a dry sterile dressing tightly
B. Reinsert the protruding organs gently
C. Place the patient in High-Fowler’s position
D. Cover the wound with sterile saline-soaked gauze
Answer: D
, Rationale: Evisceration requires covering the exposed organs with sterile, moist (saline)
dressings to prevent drying and infection, while keeping the patient supine with knees
flexed.
6. The nurse assesses a patient with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L.
Which EKG change is most likely?
A. Prominent U waves
B. Tall, peaked T waves
C. Flattened T waves
D. ST-segment depression
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0 mEq/L) typically manifests as tall, peaked T waves,
widened QRS complexes, and potentially cardiac arrest.
7. Which member of the surgical team is responsible for maintaining the sterile
field and passing instruments?
A. Circulating nurse
B. Anesthesiologist
C. Scrub nurse
D. Surgeon’s assistant
Answer: C
Rationale: The scrub nurse (or scrub technician) works within the sterile field, managing
instruments and ensuring sterile technique is maintained.
