NURS 120 | Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing | Week 7 Quiz
Questions and Answers 2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is 4 hours postoperative following an
abdominal surgery. The client reports sudden sharp chest pain and dyspnea.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer prescribed analgesic
B. Encourage the client to use the incentive spirometer
C. Perform a complete head-to-toe assessment
D. Initiate oxygen therapy via nasal cannula
Answer: D
Rationale: Sudden chest pain and dyspnea in a postoperative patient are hallmarks of
pulmonary embolism. Oxygenation is the immediate priority (ABC).
2. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving
oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. The nurse notes the client’s SpO2 is 89%.
Which of the following actions is appropriate?
A. Increase oxygen to 6 L/min immediately
B. Prepare for endotracheal intubation
C. Switch the client to a non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min
D. Continue to monitor as this is within the expected range for COPD
Answer: D
Rationale: For clients with COPD, an SpO2 between 88% and 92% is often the target range
to prevent the suppression of the hypoxic drive to breathe.
,3. The nurse is interpreting arterial blood gas (ABG) results: pH 7.31, PaCO2 52
mmHg, HCO3 25 mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance does this represent?
A. Respiratory Alkalosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: C
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A high PaCO2 (above 45) indicates the
cause is respiratory.
4. Which clinical manifestation should the nurse expect to find in a client
experiencing early stages of hypoxia?
A. Restlessness
B. Bradycardia
C. Cyanosis
D. Bradypnea
Answer: A
Rationale: Restlessness, anxiety, and tachycardia are early signs of hypoxia; cyanosis is a
late sign.
5. A nurse is preparing a client for a thoracentesis. In which position should the
nurse place the client?
A. Sitting upright leaning forward over a bedside table
B. Prone with a pillow under the abdomen
C. Supine with the head of the bed flat
D. Left side-lying in the Trendelenburg position
Answer: A
Rationale: This position widens the intercostal spaces and allows easier access to the
pleural space.
, 6. While assessing a chest tube drainage system, the nurse notes continuous
bubbling in the water-seal chamber. What does this finding suggest?
A. The system is functioning normally
B. The lung has fully re-expanded
C. There is an air leak in the system
D. The suction pressure is too high
Answer: C
Rationale: Intermittent bubbling is expected in some cases, but continuous bubbling in the
water-seal chamber indicates an air leak.
7. A nurse is providing preoperative teaching for a client. Which statement by
the client indicates an understanding of the purpose of incentive spirometry?
A. ‘I should use this to prevent my lungs from collapsing’
B. ‘I will blow into the tube as hard as I can’
C. ‘This device will help me clear my bowels after surgery’
D. ‘I only need to use this if I develop a fever’
Answer: A
Rationale: Incentive spirometry promotes deep breathing and prevents atelectasis
(collapse of alveoli) postoperatively.
8. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia. Which of the
following sputum characteristics is most commonly associated with this
condition?
A. Pink and frothy
B. Thin and clear
C. Dry and hacking
D. Rust-colored or purulent
Answer: D
Questions and Answers 2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is 4 hours postoperative following an
abdominal surgery. The client reports sudden sharp chest pain and dyspnea.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer prescribed analgesic
B. Encourage the client to use the incentive spirometer
C. Perform a complete head-to-toe assessment
D. Initiate oxygen therapy via nasal cannula
Answer: D
Rationale: Sudden chest pain and dyspnea in a postoperative patient are hallmarks of
pulmonary embolism. Oxygenation is the immediate priority (ABC).
2. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving
oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. The nurse notes the client’s SpO2 is 89%.
Which of the following actions is appropriate?
A. Increase oxygen to 6 L/min immediately
B. Prepare for endotracheal intubation
C. Switch the client to a non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min
D. Continue to monitor as this is within the expected range for COPD
Answer: D
Rationale: For clients with COPD, an SpO2 between 88% and 92% is often the target range
to prevent the suppression of the hypoxic drive to breathe.
,3. The nurse is interpreting arterial blood gas (ABG) results: pH 7.31, PaCO2 52
mmHg, HCO3 25 mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance does this represent?
A. Respiratory Alkalosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: C
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A high PaCO2 (above 45) indicates the
cause is respiratory.
4. Which clinical manifestation should the nurse expect to find in a client
experiencing early stages of hypoxia?
A. Restlessness
B. Bradycardia
C. Cyanosis
D. Bradypnea
Answer: A
Rationale: Restlessness, anxiety, and tachycardia are early signs of hypoxia; cyanosis is a
late sign.
5. A nurse is preparing a client for a thoracentesis. In which position should the
nurse place the client?
A. Sitting upright leaning forward over a bedside table
B. Prone with a pillow under the abdomen
C. Supine with the head of the bed flat
D. Left side-lying in the Trendelenburg position
Answer: A
Rationale: This position widens the intercostal spaces and allows easier access to the
pleural space.
, 6. While assessing a chest tube drainage system, the nurse notes continuous
bubbling in the water-seal chamber. What does this finding suggest?
A. The system is functioning normally
B. The lung has fully re-expanded
C. There is an air leak in the system
D. The suction pressure is too high
Answer: C
Rationale: Intermittent bubbling is expected in some cases, but continuous bubbling in the
water-seal chamber indicates an air leak.
7. A nurse is providing preoperative teaching for a client. Which statement by
the client indicates an understanding of the purpose of incentive spirometry?
A. ‘I should use this to prevent my lungs from collapsing’
B. ‘I will blow into the tube as hard as I can’
C. ‘This device will help me clear my bowels after surgery’
D. ‘I only need to use this if I develop a fever’
Answer: A
Rationale: Incentive spirometry promotes deep breathing and prevents atelectasis
(collapse of alveoli) postoperatively.
8. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia. Which of the
following sputum characteristics is most commonly associated with this
condition?
A. Pink and frothy
B. Thin and clear
C. Dry and hacking
D. Rust-colored or purulent
Answer: D
