NURS 120 | Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing | Week 13 Quiz
2026 |WCU
1. A patient presents with a serum potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L. Which EKG
change is the most critical for the nurse to monitor?
A. Peaked T waves
B. Prolonged PR interval
C. Prominent U waves
D. ST-segment depression
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0) causes tall, peaked T waves. If left untreated, it can
progress to QRS widening and ventricular fibrillation.
2. A client with Type 1 Diabetes is admitted with Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA).
Which acid-base imbalance is most likely present?
A. Metabolic alkalosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Metabolic acidosis with elevated anion gap
Answer: D
Rationale: DKA results in the accumulation of ketones, which are organic acids, leading to
a metabolic acidosis characterized by an increased anion gap.
,3. Following a thyroidectomy, a patient reports tingling in the fingers and
around the mouth. Which assessment should the nurse perform first?
A. Assess for Homan’s sign
B. Check for Trousseau’s sign
C. Monitor for Kernig’s sign
D. Check the surgical dressing for bleeding
Answer: B
Rationale: Tingling around the mouth (perioral numbness) and extremities are early signs
of hypocalcemia, often caused by accidental removal of parathyroid glands during thyroid
surgery. Trousseau’s sign tests for neuromuscular irritability.
4. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark of Syndrome of Inappropriate
Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH)?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Increased serum osmolality
C. Polyuria
D. Dilutional hyponatremia
Answer: D
Rationale: SIADH involves excessive ADH, leading to water retention, which dilutes the
blood and results in hyponatremia and decreased serum osmolality.
5. A patient with Diabetes Insipidus (DI) is receiving desmopressin. Which
outcome indicates the medication is effective?
A. Increased urine output
B. Decreased thirst and urine output
C. Decreased urine specific gravity
D. Weight loss
Answer: B
, Rationale: Desmopressin is a synthetic ADH. It should decrease the massive diuresis and
intense thirst (polydipsia) associated with DI, leading to more concentrated urine.
6. A nurse is caring for a patient with Addison’s disease. Which electrolyte
abnormality should the nurse expect?
A. Hyperkalemia and hyponatremia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Answer: A
Rationale: Addison’s disease involves a lack of aldosterone, leading to sodium wasting
(hyponatremia) and potassium retention (hyperkalemia).
7. A patient with Cushing’s syndrome is at high risk for which of the following
complications?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hypotension
C. Weight loss
D. Delayed wound healing and infection
Answer: D
Rationale: Excess cortisol in Cushing’s syndrome suppresses the immune response and
protein synthesis, leading to thin skin, easy bruising, and delayed wound healing.
8. Which medication is typically the first-line treatment for a patient in an
Addisonian crisis?
A. Insulin and glucose
B. Spironolactone
C. Intravenous hydrocortisone
D. Oral prednisone
Answer: C
2026 |WCU
1. A patient presents with a serum potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L. Which EKG
change is the most critical for the nurse to monitor?
A. Peaked T waves
B. Prolonged PR interval
C. Prominent U waves
D. ST-segment depression
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0) causes tall, peaked T waves. If left untreated, it can
progress to QRS widening and ventricular fibrillation.
2. A client with Type 1 Diabetes is admitted with Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA).
Which acid-base imbalance is most likely present?
A. Metabolic alkalosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Metabolic acidosis with elevated anion gap
Answer: D
Rationale: DKA results in the accumulation of ketones, which are organic acids, leading to
a metabolic acidosis characterized by an increased anion gap.
,3. Following a thyroidectomy, a patient reports tingling in the fingers and
around the mouth. Which assessment should the nurse perform first?
A. Assess for Homan’s sign
B. Check for Trousseau’s sign
C. Monitor for Kernig’s sign
D. Check the surgical dressing for bleeding
Answer: B
Rationale: Tingling around the mouth (perioral numbness) and extremities are early signs
of hypocalcemia, often caused by accidental removal of parathyroid glands during thyroid
surgery. Trousseau’s sign tests for neuromuscular irritability.
4. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark of Syndrome of Inappropriate
Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH)?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Increased serum osmolality
C. Polyuria
D. Dilutional hyponatremia
Answer: D
Rationale: SIADH involves excessive ADH, leading to water retention, which dilutes the
blood and results in hyponatremia and decreased serum osmolality.
5. A patient with Diabetes Insipidus (DI) is receiving desmopressin. Which
outcome indicates the medication is effective?
A. Increased urine output
B. Decreased thirst and urine output
C. Decreased urine specific gravity
D. Weight loss
Answer: B
, Rationale: Desmopressin is a synthetic ADH. It should decrease the massive diuresis and
intense thirst (polydipsia) associated with DI, leading to more concentrated urine.
6. A nurse is caring for a patient with Addison’s disease. Which electrolyte
abnormality should the nurse expect?
A. Hyperkalemia and hyponatremia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Answer: A
Rationale: Addison’s disease involves a lack of aldosterone, leading to sodium wasting
(hyponatremia) and potassium retention (hyperkalemia).
7. A patient with Cushing’s syndrome is at high risk for which of the following
complications?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hypotension
C. Weight loss
D. Delayed wound healing and infection
Answer: D
Rationale: Excess cortisol in Cushing’s syndrome suppresses the immune response and
protein synthesis, leading to thin skin, easy bruising, and delayed wound healing.
8. Which medication is typically the first-line treatment for a patient in an
Addisonian crisis?
A. Insulin and glucose
B. Spironolactone
C. Intravenous hydrocortisone
D. Oral prednisone
Answer: C
