NURS 120 | Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing | Week 12
Comprehensive Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which EKG
change is most characteristic of this electrolyte imbalance?
A. Prominent U waves
B. Tall, peaked T waves
C. Prolonged ST segment
D. Shortened PR interval
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) typically manifests on an EKG as tall,
peaked T waves. Prominent U waves are associated with hypokalemia.
2. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) result would the nurse expect in a patient who
has been vomiting for 24 hours?
A. pH 7.48, PaCO2 30, HCO3 22
B. pH 7.30, PaCO2 50, HCO3 24
C. pH 7.32, PaCO2 35, HCO3 18
D. pH 7.50, PaCO2 40, HCO3 32
Answer: D
Rationale: Persistent vomiting leads to a loss of gastric acid (HCl), resulting in metabolic
alkalosis, characterized by an elevated pH and elevated HCO3.
,3. A post-operative patient is suspected of developing Malignant Hyperthermia.
What is the immediate priority medication to administer?
A. Atropine sulfate
B. Dantrolene sodium
C. Furosemide
D. Calcium gluconate
Answer: B
Rationale: Dantrolene is a skeletal muscle relaxant that is the specific antidote for
Malignant Hyperthermia, a life-threatening complication of general anesthesia.
4. The nurse is assessing a patient with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Which
finding indicates the patient is experiencing fluid volume excess?
A. Crackles heard in lungs
B. Decreased blood pressure
C. Flattened neck veins
D. Weight loss of 2 lbs
Answer: A
Rationale: Fluid volume excess in CKD leads to pulmonary congestion, often manifested as
crackles (rales) upon auscultation, along with JVD and hypertension.
5. A patient has a serum sodium level of 128 mEq/L. Which nursing intervention
is the highest priority?
A. Encourage increased oral fluid intake
B. Provide a low-salt diet
C. Administer 0.45% normal saline
D. Monitor for seizure activity
Answer: D
Rationale: Hyponatremia (<135 mEq/L) causes cerebral edema, which poses a significant
risk for seizures and altered mental status.
, 6. When obtaining informed consent for surgery, what is the primary
responsibility of the nurse?
A. Witness the patient’s signature on the form
B. Explain the risks and benefits of the procedure
C. Decide if the patient needs the surgery
D. Explain alternative treatment options
Answer: A
Rationale: The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure, risks, and benefits.
The nurse’s role is to witness the patient signing the form voluntarily and ensuring they are
competent.
7. A patient presents with a positive Trousseau sign. The nurse knows this is
indicative of which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypermagnesemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Trousseau’s sign (carpal spasm induced by inflating a BP cuff) and Chvostek’s
sign are classic indicators of hypocalcemia or hypomagnesemia.
8. A patient with Respiratory Acidosis is likely experiencing which physiological
state?
A. Hypoventilation
B. Hyperventilation
C. Excessive diarrhea
D. Salicylate overdose
Answer: A
Comprehensive Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which EKG
change is most characteristic of this electrolyte imbalance?
A. Prominent U waves
B. Tall, peaked T waves
C. Prolonged ST segment
D. Shortened PR interval
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) typically manifests on an EKG as tall,
peaked T waves. Prominent U waves are associated with hypokalemia.
2. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) result would the nurse expect in a patient who
has been vomiting for 24 hours?
A. pH 7.48, PaCO2 30, HCO3 22
B. pH 7.30, PaCO2 50, HCO3 24
C. pH 7.32, PaCO2 35, HCO3 18
D. pH 7.50, PaCO2 40, HCO3 32
Answer: D
Rationale: Persistent vomiting leads to a loss of gastric acid (HCl), resulting in metabolic
alkalosis, characterized by an elevated pH and elevated HCO3.
,3. A post-operative patient is suspected of developing Malignant Hyperthermia.
What is the immediate priority medication to administer?
A. Atropine sulfate
B. Dantrolene sodium
C. Furosemide
D. Calcium gluconate
Answer: B
Rationale: Dantrolene is a skeletal muscle relaxant that is the specific antidote for
Malignant Hyperthermia, a life-threatening complication of general anesthesia.
4. The nurse is assessing a patient with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Which
finding indicates the patient is experiencing fluid volume excess?
A. Crackles heard in lungs
B. Decreased blood pressure
C. Flattened neck veins
D. Weight loss of 2 lbs
Answer: A
Rationale: Fluid volume excess in CKD leads to pulmonary congestion, often manifested as
crackles (rales) upon auscultation, along with JVD and hypertension.
5. A patient has a serum sodium level of 128 mEq/L. Which nursing intervention
is the highest priority?
A. Encourage increased oral fluid intake
B. Provide a low-salt diet
C. Administer 0.45% normal saline
D. Monitor for seizure activity
Answer: D
Rationale: Hyponatremia (<135 mEq/L) causes cerebral edema, which poses a significant
risk for seizures and altered mental status.
, 6. When obtaining informed consent for surgery, what is the primary
responsibility of the nurse?
A. Witness the patient’s signature on the form
B. Explain the risks and benefits of the procedure
C. Decide if the patient needs the surgery
D. Explain alternative treatment options
Answer: A
Rationale: The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure, risks, and benefits.
The nurse’s role is to witness the patient signing the form voluntarily and ensuring they are
competent.
7. A patient presents with a positive Trousseau sign. The nurse knows this is
indicative of which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypermagnesemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Trousseau’s sign (carpal spasm induced by inflating a BP cuff) and Chvostek’s
sign are classic indicators of hypocalcemia or hypomagnesemia.
8. A patient with Respiratory Acidosis is likely experiencing which physiological
state?
A. Hypoventilation
B. Hyperventilation
C. Excessive diarrhea
D. Salicylate overdose
Answer: A
