Week 3 Quiz: NURS 120 Introduction to Medical Surgical Nursing 2026
– WCU
1. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a patient and notes a potassium
level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing
action?
A. Administer potassium chloride via rapid IV push.
B. Encourage the patient to eat more protein-rich foods.
C. Notify the provider and prepare to administer oral or IV potassium supplements.
D. Recheck the level in 24 hours without taking action.
Answer: C
Rationale: A potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia. Potassium must never
be given via IV push as it can cause cardiac arrest. Notification of the provider for
supplemental replacement is the priority.
2. Which clinical manifestation is most characteristic of hypocalcemia?
A. Polyuria and polydipsia
B. Positive Trousseau’s sign
C. Muscle weakness and lethargy
D. Shortened QT interval on EKG
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability. A positive Trousseau’s sign
(carpal spasm induced by inflating a blood pressure cuff) is a classic indicator of low
calcium.
,3. The nurse is caring for a patient with a sodium level of 152 mEq/L. Which
intravenous fluid is most appropriate for this patient?
A. Lactated Ringer’s (Isotonic)
B. 3% Sodium Chloride (Hypertonic)
C. 0.45% Sodium Chloride (Hypotonic)
D. 5% Dextrose in 0.9% Sodium Chloride (Hypertonic)
Answer: C
Rationale: A sodium level of 152 mEq/L indicates hypernatremia. Hypotonic solutions like
0.45% NaCl are used to provide free water to dilute the extracellular fluid and lower
sodium levels.
4. A patient is admitted with excessive vomiting for three days. Which acid-base
imbalance does the nurse expect to find?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Acidosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Gastric secretions are highly acidic. The loss of hydrochloric acid through
vomiting or gastric suctioning leads to a loss of acid, resulting in metabolic alkalosis.
5. A patient’s ABG results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 24 mEq/L.
How should the nurse interpret these findings?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: B
, Rationale: The pH is low (acidosis) and the PaCO2 is high (respiratory component), while
the bicarbonate is normal. This indicates uncompensated respiratory acidosis, often seen in
hypoventilation.
6. What is the primary role of the circulating nurse in the operating room?
A. Handing sterile instruments to the surgeon.
B. Managing the sterile field and equipment.
C. Coordinating care and maintaining the non-sterile environment.
D. Assisting the anesthesia provider with intubation only.
Answer: C
Rationale: The circulating nurse works outside the sterile field, manages the room,
coordinates the team, documents care, and ensures patient safety and sterile technique
adherence.
7. A patient is scheduled for surgery tomorrow. The patient states, ‘I am still not
sure why I need this surgery.’ What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Explain the surgical procedure and risks to the patient.
B. Tell the patient it is normal to be nervous.
C. Ask the patient to sign the consent form anyway.
D. Notify the surgeon that the patient needs further explanation.
Answer: D
Rationale: It is the surgeon’s responsibility to provide the explanation of the procedure
and risks. The nurse’s role is to witness the signature and ensure the patient understands;
if the patient is confused, the surgeon must be called back.
– WCU
1. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a patient and notes a potassium
level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing
action?
A. Administer potassium chloride via rapid IV push.
B. Encourage the patient to eat more protein-rich foods.
C. Notify the provider and prepare to administer oral or IV potassium supplements.
D. Recheck the level in 24 hours without taking action.
Answer: C
Rationale: A potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia. Potassium must never
be given via IV push as it can cause cardiac arrest. Notification of the provider for
supplemental replacement is the priority.
2. Which clinical manifestation is most characteristic of hypocalcemia?
A. Polyuria and polydipsia
B. Positive Trousseau’s sign
C. Muscle weakness and lethargy
D. Shortened QT interval on EKG
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability. A positive Trousseau’s sign
(carpal spasm induced by inflating a blood pressure cuff) is a classic indicator of low
calcium.
,3. The nurse is caring for a patient with a sodium level of 152 mEq/L. Which
intravenous fluid is most appropriate for this patient?
A. Lactated Ringer’s (Isotonic)
B. 3% Sodium Chloride (Hypertonic)
C. 0.45% Sodium Chloride (Hypotonic)
D. 5% Dextrose in 0.9% Sodium Chloride (Hypertonic)
Answer: C
Rationale: A sodium level of 152 mEq/L indicates hypernatremia. Hypotonic solutions like
0.45% NaCl are used to provide free water to dilute the extracellular fluid and lower
sodium levels.
4. A patient is admitted with excessive vomiting for three days. Which acid-base
imbalance does the nurse expect to find?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Acidosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Gastric secretions are highly acidic. The loss of hydrochloric acid through
vomiting or gastric suctioning leads to a loss of acid, resulting in metabolic alkalosis.
5. A patient’s ABG results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 24 mEq/L.
How should the nurse interpret these findings?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Metabolic Alkalosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: B
, Rationale: The pH is low (acidosis) and the PaCO2 is high (respiratory component), while
the bicarbonate is normal. This indicates uncompensated respiratory acidosis, often seen in
hypoventilation.
6. What is the primary role of the circulating nurse in the operating room?
A. Handing sterile instruments to the surgeon.
B. Managing the sterile field and equipment.
C. Coordinating care and maintaining the non-sterile environment.
D. Assisting the anesthesia provider with intubation only.
Answer: C
Rationale: The circulating nurse works outside the sterile field, manages the room,
coordinates the team, documents care, and ensures patient safety and sterile technique
adherence.
7. A patient is scheduled for surgery tomorrow. The patient states, ‘I am still not
sure why I need this surgery.’ What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Explain the surgical procedure and risks to the patient.
B. Tell the patient it is normal to be nervous.
C. Ask the patient to sign the consent form anyway.
D. Notify the surgeon that the patient needs further explanation.
Answer: D
Rationale: It is the surgeon’s responsibility to provide the explanation of the procedure
and risks. The nurse’s role is to witness the signature and ensure the patient understands;
if the patient is confused, the surgeon must be called back.
