NURS 120 | Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing | Week 9 Quiz
2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is preparing a client for an elective surgical procedure. Which action is
the primary responsibility of the nurse regarding informed consent?
A. Explaining the risks and benefits of the specific surgical procedure.
B. Witnessing the client’s signature on the consent form.
C. Determining the level of the client’s cognitive understanding of the surgery.
D. Providing alternative treatment options to the client.
Answer: B
Rationale: The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure, risks, and alternatives.
The nurse’s role is to witness the signature and ensure the client is competent and the
signature is voluntary.
2. During an intraoperative procedure, a client develops muscle rigidity and a
rapid rise in body temperature. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Notifying the surgeon and anesthesia provider of suspected malignant hyperthermia.
B. Administering chilled intravenous fluids.
C. Applying cooling blankets immediately.
D. Preparing to administer IV dantrolene sodium.
Answer: A
Rationale: Recognition is the first priority. Once Malignant Hyperthermia is suspected, the
surgical team must stop the triggering agent and initiate the MH protocol, including
dantrolene and cooling.
,3. A postoperative client has a potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which cardiac
monitor finding should the nurse anticipate?
A. Tall, peaked T waves
B. Prolonged PR interval
C. Presence of U waves
D. Widened QRS complex
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypokalemia (K+ < 3.5) typically presents with flattened T waves and the
emergence of U waves. Peaked T waves and widened QRS are signs of hyperkalemia.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause a positive Chvostek’s
sign?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypocalcemia causes neuromuscular irritability. Chvostek’s sign (facial
twitching when the facial nerve is tapped) and Trousseau’s sign are classic indicators.
5. A client presents with Respiratory Acidosis. Which ABG result matches this
condition?
A. pH 7.30, PaCO2 50, HCO3 24
B. pH 7.50, PaCO2 30, HCO3 22
C. pH 7.32, PaCO2 35, HCO3 18
D. pH 7.48, PaCO2 40, HCO3 30
Answer: A
Rationale: Respiratory acidosis is characterized by a low pH (<7.35) and a high PaCO2
(>45). Option A shows a low pH and elevated CO2.
, 6. A nurse is caring for a postoperative client who is reporting pain. What is the
most reliable indicator of the client’s pain level?
A. Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
B. The client’s self-report of pain
C. Facial grimacing and guarding behavior
D. The nurse’s professional clinical judgment
Answer: B
Rationale: Pain is a subjective experience. The client’s self-report is always the most
reliable indicator, regardless of vital signs or behavior.
7. Which intervention is most effective in preventing postoperative atelectasis?
A. Administering humidified oxygen
B. Encouraging a low-protein diet
C. Maintaining the client in a supine position
D. Frequent use of an incentive spirometer
Answer: D
Rationale: Incentive spirometry encourages deep breathing and lung expansion,
preventing the collapse of alveoli (atelectasis) commonly seen after surgery.
8. The circulating nurse is responsible for which of the following tasks?
A. Coordinating the surgical team and documenting care
B. Maintaining the sterile field directly at the site
C. Handing sterile instruments to the surgeon
D. Suturing the incision at the end of the procedure
Answer: A
Rationale: The circulating nurse works in the non-sterile field, coordinates activities,
monitors traffic, and manages documentation. The scrub nurse/tech handles instruments.
2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is preparing a client for an elective surgical procedure. Which action is
the primary responsibility of the nurse regarding informed consent?
A. Explaining the risks and benefits of the specific surgical procedure.
B. Witnessing the client’s signature on the consent form.
C. Determining the level of the client’s cognitive understanding of the surgery.
D. Providing alternative treatment options to the client.
Answer: B
Rationale: The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure, risks, and alternatives.
The nurse’s role is to witness the signature and ensure the client is competent and the
signature is voluntary.
2. During an intraoperative procedure, a client develops muscle rigidity and a
rapid rise in body temperature. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Notifying the surgeon and anesthesia provider of suspected malignant hyperthermia.
B. Administering chilled intravenous fluids.
C. Applying cooling blankets immediately.
D. Preparing to administer IV dantrolene sodium.
Answer: A
Rationale: Recognition is the first priority. Once Malignant Hyperthermia is suspected, the
surgical team must stop the triggering agent and initiate the MH protocol, including
dantrolene and cooling.
,3. A postoperative client has a potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which cardiac
monitor finding should the nurse anticipate?
A. Tall, peaked T waves
B. Prolonged PR interval
C. Presence of U waves
D. Widened QRS complex
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypokalemia (K+ < 3.5) typically presents with flattened T waves and the
emergence of U waves. Peaked T waves and widened QRS are signs of hyperkalemia.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause a positive Chvostek’s
sign?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypocalcemia causes neuromuscular irritability. Chvostek’s sign (facial
twitching when the facial nerve is tapped) and Trousseau’s sign are classic indicators.
5. A client presents with Respiratory Acidosis. Which ABG result matches this
condition?
A. pH 7.30, PaCO2 50, HCO3 24
B. pH 7.50, PaCO2 30, HCO3 22
C. pH 7.32, PaCO2 35, HCO3 18
D. pH 7.48, PaCO2 40, HCO3 30
Answer: A
Rationale: Respiratory acidosis is characterized by a low pH (<7.35) and a high PaCO2
(>45). Option A shows a low pH and elevated CO2.
, 6. A nurse is caring for a postoperative client who is reporting pain. What is the
most reliable indicator of the client’s pain level?
A. Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
B. The client’s self-report of pain
C. Facial grimacing and guarding behavior
D. The nurse’s professional clinical judgment
Answer: B
Rationale: Pain is a subjective experience. The client’s self-report is always the most
reliable indicator, regardless of vital signs or behavior.
7. Which intervention is most effective in preventing postoperative atelectasis?
A. Administering humidified oxygen
B. Encouraging a low-protein diet
C. Maintaining the client in a supine position
D. Frequent use of an incentive spirometer
Answer: D
Rationale: Incentive spirometry encourages deep breathing and lung expansion,
preventing the collapse of alveoli (atelectasis) commonly seen after surgery.
8. The circulating nurse is responsible for which of the following tasks?
A. Coordinating the surgical team and documenting care
B. Maintaining the sterile field directly at the site
C. Handing sterile instruments to the surgeon
D. Suturing the incision at the end of the procedure
Answer: A
Rationale: The circulating nurse works in the non-sterile field, coordinates activities,
monitors traffic, and manages documentation. The scrub nurse/tech handles instruments.
