NURS 120 | Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing | Module Exam 3
(Week 9) 2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with a potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which
assessment finding is the priority to report to the provider?
A. Irregular heart rhythm
B. Decreased bowel sounds
C. Muscle weakness in the lower extremities
D. Increased urine output
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypokalemia (potassium < 3.5 mEq/L) can cause life-threatening cardiac
dysrhythmias. While muscle weakness and decreased motility are symptoms, cardiac
stability is the physiological priority.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with a positive
Chvostek’s sign?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Chvostek’s sign (facial twitching when the facial nerve is tapped) is a clinical
indicator of hypocalcemia, which increases neuromuscular excitability.
,3. A patient is scheduled for surgery. The nurse notices the informed consent
has not been signed. What is the nurse’s primary responsibility?
A. Notify the surgeon that the consent is not signed
B. Witness the patient’s signature and verify understanding
C. Obtain the consent if the surgeon is busy
D. Explain the risks and benefits of the procedure to the patient
Answer: A
Rationale: The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure and obtaining consent.
The nurse’s role is to witness the signature and ensure the process is complete; if not, the
surgeon must be notified.
4. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) result indicates compensated respiratory
acidosis?
A. pH 7.32, PaCO2 40, HCO3 18
B. pH 7.25, PaCO2 55, HCO3 24
C. pH 7.48, PaCO2 30, HCO3 20
D. pH 7.36, PaCO2 50, HCO3 30
Answer: D
Rationale: In compensated respiratory acidosis, the pH is within normal range (7.35-7.45)
but on the acidic side, PaCO2 is high, and HCO3 is high (kidneys retaining bicarbonate to
compensate).
5. During the intraoperative phase, which member of the surgical team is
responsible for maintaining the sterile field and passing instruments?
A. Scrub nurse
B. Circulating nurse
C. Anesthesiologist
D. Surgical technician in the non-sterile role
Answer: A
, Rationale: The scrub nurse or scrub tech works within the sterile field, whereas the
circulating nurse stays in the unsterile field to coordinate care and documentation.
6. A patient has a serum sodium level of 152 mEq/L. Which IV fluid would the
nurse expect the provider to order?
A. 0.45% Sodium Chloride
B. 3% Sodium Chloride
C. Lactated Ringer’s
D. 0.9% Sodium Chloride
Answer: A
Rationale: Sodium of 152 mEq/L indicates hypernatremia. A hypotonic solution like
0.45% NaCl is used to dilute the extracellular fluid and lower sodium levels.
7. Which post-operative complication is characterized by the protrusion of
internal organs through a surgical incision?
A. Dehiscence
B. Evisceration
C. Adhesion
D. Infection
Answer: B
Rationale: Evisceration is the total separation of wound layers and protrusion of visceral
organs. It is a surgical emergency.
8. What is the priority nursing intervention when a patient develops Malignant
Hyperthermia during surgery?
A. Apply cooling blankets
B. Administer IV Potassium
C. Increase oxygen flow
D. Administer IV Dantrolene
Answer: D
(Week 9) 2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with a potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which
assessment finding is the priority to report to the provider?
A. Irregular heart rhythm
B. Decreased bowel sounds
C. Muscle weakness in the lower extremities
D. Increased urine output
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypokalemia (potassium < 3.5 mEq/L) can cause life-threatening cardiac
dysrhythmias. While muscle weakness and decreased motility are symptoms, cardiac
stability is the physiological priority.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with a positive
Chvostek’s sign?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Chvostek’s sign (facial twitching when the facial nerve is tapped) is a clinical
indicator of hypocalcemia, which increases neuromuscular excitability.
,3. A patient is scheduled for surgery. The nurse notices the informed consent
has not been signed. What is the nurse’s primary responsibility?
A. Notify the surgeon that the consent is not signed
B. Witness the patient’s signature and verify understanding
C. Obtain the consent if the surgeon is busy
D. Explain the risks and benefits of the procedure to the patient
Answer: A
Rationale: The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure and obtaining consent.
The nurse’s role is to witness the signature and ensure the process is complete; if not, the
surgeon must be notified.
4. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) result indicates compensated respiratory
acidosis?
A. pH 7.32, PaCO2 40, HCO3 18
B. pH 7.25, PaCO2 55, HCO3 24
C. pH 7.48, PaCO2 30, HCO3 20
D. pH 7.36, PaCO2 50, HCO3 30
Answer: D
Rationale: In compensated respiratory acidosis, the pH is within normal range (7.35-7.45)
but on the acidic side, PaCO2 is high, and HCO3 is high (kidneys retaining bicarbonate to
compensate).
5. During the intraoperative phase, which member of the surgical team is
responsible for maintaining the sterile field and passing instruments?
A. Scrub nurse
B. Circulating nurse
C. Anesthesiologist
D. Surgical technician in the non-sterile role
Answer: A
, Rationale: The scrub nurse or scrub tech works within the sterile field, whereas the
circulating nurse stays in the unsterile field to coordinate care and documentation.
6. A patient has a serum sodium level of 152 mEq/L. Which IV fluid would the
nurse expect the provider to order?
A. 0.45% Sodium Chloride
B. 3% Sodium Chloride
C. Lactated Ringer’s
D. 0.9% Sodium Chloride
Answer: A
Rationale: Sodium of 152 mEq/L indicates hypernatremia. A hypotonic solution like
0.45% NaCl is used to dilute the extracellular fluid and lower sodium levels.
7. Which post-operative complication is characterized by the protrusion of
internal organs through a surgical incision?
A. Dehiscence
B. Evisceration
C. Adhesion
D. Infection
Answer: B
Rationale: Evisceration is the total separation of wound layers and protrusion of visceral
organs. It is a surgical emergency.
8. What is the priority nursing intervention when a patient develops Malignant
Hyperthermia during surgery?
A. Apply cooling blankets
B. Administer IV Potassium
C. Increase oxygen flow
D. Administer IV Dantrolene
Answer: D
