NURS 121L-A Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing - Week 4
Comprehensive Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L.
Which of the following is the priority nursing intervention?
A. Administering a prescribed dose of sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate)
B. Encouraging the patient to consume foods high in potassium
C. Assessing the patient’s deep tendon reflexes
D. Monitoring the patient’s cardiac rhythm via telemetry
Answer: D
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) can cause life-threatening cardiac
dysrhythmias. Monitoring the cardiac rhythm is the priority to detect changes like peaked
T-waves or QRS widening.
2. Which clinical manifestation should a nurse expect to observe in a patient
experiencing hypocalcemia?
A. Negative Chvostek’s sign
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Prolonged QT interval on ECG
D. Constipation and muscle weakness
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypocalcemia can lead to neurological excitability and cardiac electrical
changes, including a prolonged QT interval which increases the risk for ventricular
dysrhythmias.
,3. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and
HCO3 26 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these findings?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Acidosis
Answer: A
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg suggests the
respiratory system is the cause of the acidosis.
4. During the preoperative assessment, the nurse discovers that the patient has
a severe allergy to bananas and avocados. Which action is most important?
A. Document the allergy in the medical record only
B. Replace all silk sutures with nylon
C. Notify the surgical team of a potential latex allergy
D. Ensure the patient receives an antihistamine before surgery
Answer: C
Rationale: There is a known cross-reactivity between food allergies to bananas, avocados,
and kiwi with latex allergy due to similar protein structures.
5. A nurse is providing teaching to a patient about the use of an incentive
spirometer. What is the primary purpose of this device postoperatively?
A. To improve oxygen saturation by delivering supplemental oxygen
B. To measure the volume of carbon dioxide exhaled
C. To prevent atelectasis by promoting deep breathing
D. To strengthen the abdominal muscles for coughing
Answer: C
Rationale: Incentive spirometry encourages deep breathing (maximal inspiration), which
helps open collapsed alveoli and prevents atelectasis and subsequent pneumonia.
, 6. Which task is considered the primary responsibility of the circulating nurse in
the operating room?
A. Coordinating the care of the patient and managing the OR environment
B. Maintaining the sterile field as a scrubbed member
C. Handing sterile instruments to the surgeon
D. Assisting the surgeon with suturing and tissue manipulation
Answer: A
Rationale: The circulating nurse is a non-sterile member of the OR team who manages the
overall environment, coordinates with outside departments, and ensures patient safety.
7. A patient is 12 hours postoperative following abdominal surgery. The nurse
notes that the patient’s heart rate has increased from 80 to 110 bpm and the
blood pressure has dropped from 120/80 to 94/60 mmHg. What is the priority
action?
A. Increase the IV fluid rate according to standing orders
B. Administer a PRN dose of pain medication
C. Assess the surgical dressing and site for hemorrhage
D. Recheck the vitals in 30 minutes
Answer: C
Rationale: Tachycardia and hypotension are early signs of hypovolemic shock, often
caused by hemorrhage in the postoperative period. Assessment of the surgical site is
critical.
Comprehensive Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L.
Which of the following is the priority nursing intervention?
A. Administering a prescribed dose of sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate)
B. Encouraging the patient to consume foods high in potassium
C. Assessing the patient’s deep tendon reflexes
D. Monitoring the patient’s cardiac rhythm via telemetry
Answer: D
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) can cause life-threatening cardiac
dysrhythmias. Monitoring the cardiac rhythm is the priority to detect changes like peaked
T-waves or QRS widening.
2. Which clinical manifestation should a nurse expect to observe in a patient
experiencing hypocalcemia?
A. Negative Chvostek’s sign
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Prolonged QT interval on ECG
D. Constipation and muscle weakness
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypocalcemia can lead to neurological excitability and cardiac electrical
changes, including a prolonged QT interval which increases the risk for ventricular
dysrhythmias.
,3. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 55 mmHg, and
HCO3 26 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these findings?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Acidosis
Answer: A
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg suggests the
respiratory system is the cause of the acidosis.
4. During the preoperative assessment, the nurse discovers that the patient has
a severe allergy to bananas and avocados. Which action is most important?
A. Document the allergy in the medical record only
B. Replace all silk sutures with nylon
C. Notify the surgical team of a potential latex allergy
D. Ensure the patient receives an antihistamine before surgery
Answer: C
Rationale: There is a known cross-reactivity between food allergies to bananas, avocados,
and kiwi with latex allergy due to similar protein structures.
5. A nurse is providing teaching to a patient about the use of an incentive
spirometer. What is the primary purpose of this device postoperatively?
A. To improve oxygen saturation by delivering supplemental oxygen
B. To measure the volume of carbon dioxide exhaled
C. To prevent atelectasis by promoting deep breathing
D. To strengthen the abdominal muscles for coughing
Answer: C
Rationale: Incentive spirometry encourages deep breathing (maximal inspiration), which
helps open collapsed alveoli and prevents atelectasis and subsequent pneumonia.
, 6. Which task is considered the primary responsibility of the circulating nurse in
the operating room?
A. Coordinating the care of the patient and managing the OR environment
B. Maintaining the sterile field as a scrubbed member
C. Handing sterile instruments to the surgeon
D. Assisting the surgeon with suturing and tissue manipulation
Answer: A
Rationale: The circulating nurse is a non-sterile member of the OR team who manages the
overall environment, coordinates with outside departments, and ensures patient safety.
7. A patient is 12 hours postoperative following abdominal surgery. The nurse
notes that the patient’s heart rate has increased from 80 to 110 bpm and the
blood pressure has dropped from 120/80 to 94/60 mmHg. What is the priority
action?
A. Increase the IV fluid rate according to standing orders
B. Administer a PRN dose of pain medication
C. Assess the surgical dressing and site for hemorrhage
D. Recheck the vitals in 30 minutes
Answer: C
Rationale: Tachycardia and hypotension are early signs of hypovolemic shock, often
caused by hemorrhage in the postoperative period. Assessment of the surgical site is
critical.
