Medical-Surgical Nursing Practicum - Week 2 Comprehensive Quiz
2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who is 24 hours postoperative following
abdominal surgery. The patient reports sudden chest pain and shortness of
breath. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the prescribed PRN morphine for pain.
B. Perform a focused respiratory assessment and check oxygen saturation.
C. Notify the rapid response team immediately.
D. Encourage the patient to use the incentive spirometer.
Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should first assess the patient’s physiological status to determine the
severity of the situation before intervening or notifying the provider.
2. Which of the following electrolyte imbalances is a patient most at risk for
developing if they have been receiving long-term nasogastric (NG) suctioning?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypomagnesemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: C
Rationale: Gastric secretions are rich in potassium; prolonged suctioning leads to
significant loss of potassium and hydrogen ions, causing hypokalemia and metabolic
alkalosis.
,3. A patient is scheduled for an elective cholecystectomy. During the
preoperative assessment, the patient mentions a severe allergy to avocados and
bananas. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Document the allergy in the medical record.
B. Ensure the patient remains NPO.
C. Ask the patient if they have ever had a reaction to anesthesia.
D. Notify the surgical team of a potential latex allergy.
Answer: D
Rationale: Cross-reactivity exists between certain foods (avocados, bananas, kiwi) and
latex; this indicates a high risk for a latex allergy in the OR.
4. The nurse observes a surgical wound and notes the presence of tissue that is
red, moist, and bumpy. How should the nurse document this finding?
A. Granulation tissue
B. Eschar
C. Slough
D. Purulent exudate
Answer: A
Rationale: Granulation tissue is red, moist, and composed of new blood vessels, indicating
healthy healing.
5. Which assessment finding in a patient who just returned from the PACU after
a total hip arthroplasty requires immediate intervention?
A. Pain level of 5 on a 1-10 scale.
B. A capillary refill time of 5 seconds on the affected extremity.
C. Drowsiness and being easily aroused by voice.
D. Serosanguinous drainage on the surgical dressing.
Answer: B
, Rationale: A capillary refill time greater than 3 seconds indicates compromised
neurovascular status, which is a surgical emergency.
6. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a patient regarding wound care.
Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A. ‘I will wash my hands before touching the dressing.’
B. ‘I will apply hydrogen peroxide to the wound twice a day to keep it clean.’
C. ‘I should call the doctor if I see yellow or green drainage.’
D. ‘I will eat foods high in protein to help with healing.’
Answer: B
Rationale: Hydrogen peroxide can be cytotoxic to healthy tissue and delay wound healing;
it is generally not recommended for routine wound care.
7. During the shift report, the nurse learns a patient has a potassium level of 6.2
mEq/L. Which ECG change should the nurse monitor for?
A. Tall, peaked T waves
B. Prominent U waves
C. ST-segment depression
D. Prolonged QT interval
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperkalemia typically causes tall, peaked T waves and widened QRS
complexes, which can lead to cardiac arrest.
8. A patient is 4 hours post-op and has not voided. The bladder scanner shows
500 mL of urine. What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Insert a Foley catheter immediately.
B. Assist the patient to the bathroom or provide a commode/urinal.
C. Increase the IV fluid rate.
D. Wait another 2 hours for spontaneous voiding.
Answer: B
2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who is 24 hours postoperative following
abdominal surgery. The patient reports sudden chest pain and shortness of
breath. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the prescribed PRN morphine for pain.
B. Perform a focused respiratory assessment and check oxygen saturation.
C. Notify the rapid response team immediately.
D. Encourage the patient to use the incentive spirometer.
Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should first assess the patient’s physiological status to determine the
severity of the situation before intervening or notifying the provider.
2. Which of the following electrolyte imbalances is a patient most at risk for
developing if they have been receiving long-term nasogastric (NG) suctioning?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypomagnesemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: C
Rationale: Gastric secretions are rich in potassium; prolonged suctioning leads to
significant loss of potassium and hydrogen ions, causing hypokalemia and metabolic
alkalosis.
,3. A patient is scheduled for an elective cholecystectomy. During the
preoperative assessment, the patient mentions a severe allergy to avocados and
bananas. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Document the allergy in the medical record.
B. Ensure the patient remains NPO.
C. Ask the patient if they have ever had a reaction to anesthesia.
D. Notify the surgical team of a potential latex allergy.
Answer: D
Rationale: Cross-reactivity exists between certain foods (avocados, bananas, kiwi) and
latex; this indicates a high risk for a latex allergy in the OR.
4. The nurse observes a surgical wound and notes the presence of tissue that is
red, moist, and bumpy. How should the nurse document this finding?
A. Granulation tissue
B. Eschar
C. Slough
D. Purulent exudate
Answer: A
Rationale: Granulation tissue is red, moist, and composed of new blood vessels, indicating
healthy healing.
5. Which assessment finding in a patient who just returned from the PACU after
a total hip arthroplasty requires immediate intervention?
A. Pain level of 5 on a 1-10 scale.
B. A capillary refill time of 5 seconds on the affected extremity.
C. Drowsiness and being easily aroused by voice.
D. Serosanguinous drainage on the surgical dressing.
Answer: B
, Rationale: A capillary refill time greater than 3 seconds indicates compromised
neurovascular status, which is a surgical emergency.
6. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a patient regarding wound care.
Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A. ‘I will wash my hands before touching the dressing.’
B. ‘I will apply hydrogen peroxide to the wound twice a day to keep it clean.’
C. ‘I should call the doctor if I see yellow or green drainage.’
D. ‘I will eat foods high in protein to help with healing.’
Answer: B
Rationale: Hydrogen peroxide can be cytotoxic to healthy tissue and delay wound healing;
it is generally not recommended for routine wound care.
7. During the shift report, the nurse learns a patient has a potassium level of 6.2
mEq/L. Which ECG change should the nurse monitor for?
A. Tall, peaked T waves
B. Prominent U waves
C. ST-segment depression
D. Prolonged QT interval
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperkalemia typically causes tall, peaked T waves and widened QRS
complexes, which can lead to cardiac arrest.
8. A patient is 4 hours post-op and has not voided. The bladder scanner shows
500 mL of urine. What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Insert a Foley catheter immediately.
B. Assist the patient to the bathroom or provide a commode/urinal.
C. Increase the IV fluid rate.
D. Wait another 2 hours for spontaneous voiding.
Answer: B
