Week 4 Quiz: Introduction to Medical Surgical Nursing 2026 – WCU
1. A patient is scheduled for elective surgery. Who is legally responsible for
obtaining informed consent?
A. The nurse manager
B. The surgeon
C. The staff nurse
D. The anesthesiologist
Answer: B
Rationale: The surgeon is legally responsible for explaining the procedure, risks, and
benefits to the patient and obtaining informed consent.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with the
development of a ‘U wave’ on an ECG?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypokalemia often causes the appearance of a U wave, flat or inverted T waves,
and ST-segment depression on an ECG.
,3. A postoperative patient is experiencing a temperature of 104°F (40°C), muscle
rigidity, and tachycardia. What is the priority intervention?
A. Administering oral acetaminophen
B. Administering IV Dantrolene
C. Applying warm blankets
D. Increasing IV fluid rate
Answer: B
Rationale: These symptoms are characteristic of Malignant Hyperthermia, a life-
threatening anesthetic emergency; Dantrolene is the specific antidote.
4. A patient has a pH of 7.25, PaCO2 of 50 mmHg, and HCO3 of 24 mEq/L. How
should the nurse interpret these ABG results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: C
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and a PaCO2 above 45 mmHg indicates a
respiratory cause.
5. What is the primary purpose of using an incentive spirometer
postoperatively?
A. To prevent atelectasis
B. To measure lung capacity
C. To decrease pain levels
D. To increase blood pressure
Answer: A
Rationale: Incentive spirometry encourages deep breathing, which helps expand alveoli
and prevent atelectasis and subsequent pneumonia.
, 6. Which phase of the perioperative period begins when the patient is
transferred to the operating room table and ends with admission to PACU?
A. Preoperative phase
B. Rehabilitation phase
C. Postoperative phase
D. Intraoperative phase
Answer: D
Rationale: The intraoperative phase occurs during the actual surgical procedure within
the OR.
7. A nurse is assessing a patient with hypocalcemia. Which sign is elicited by
tapping the facial nerve in front of the ear?
A. Trousseau’s sign
B. Chvostek’s sign
C. Homans’ sign
D. Kernig’s sign
Answer: B
Rationale: Chvostek’s sign is an abnormal spasm of the facial muscles elicited by light taps
on the facial nerve, indicating hypocalcemia.
8. Which IV fluid is considered isotonic?
A. 0.45% Sodium Chloride
B. 3% Sodium Chloride
C. Dextrose 10% in Water
D. 0.9% Sodium Chloride
Answer: D
Rationale: 0.9% Sodium Chloride (Normal Saline) has the same osmolality as body fluids,
making it isotonic.
1. A patient is scheduled for elective surgery. Who is legally responsible for
obtaining informed consent?
A. The nurse manager
B. The surgeon
C. The staff nurse
D. The anesthesiologist
Answer: B
Rationale: The surgeon is legally responsible for explaining the procedure, risks, and
benefits to the patient and obtaining informed consent.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with the
development of a ‘U wave’ on an ECG?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypokalemia often causes the appearance of a U wave, flat or inverted T waves,
and ST-segment depression on an ECG.
,3. A postoperative patient is experiencing a temperature of 104°F (40°C), muscle
rigidity, and tachycardia. What is the priority intervention?
A. Administering oral acetaminophen
B. Administering IV Dantrolene
C. Applying warm blankets
D. Increasing IV fluid rate
Answer: B
Rationale: These symptoms are characteristic of Malignant Hyperthermia, a life-
threatening anesthetic emergency; Dantrolene is the specific antidote.
4. A patient has a pH of 7.25, PaCO2 of 50 mmHg, and HCO3 of 24 mEq/L. How
should the nurse interpret these ABG results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: C
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and a PaCO2 above 45 mmHg indicates a
respiratory cause.
5. What is the primary purpose of using an incentive spirometer
postoperatively?
A. To prevent atelectasis
B. To measure lung capacity
C. To decrease pain levels
D. To increase blood pressure
Answer: A
Rationale: Incentive spirometry encourages deep breathing, which helps expand alveoli
and prevent atelectasis and subsequent pneumonia.
, 6. Which phase of the perioperative period begins when the patient is
transferred to the operating room table and ends with admission to PACU?
A. Preoperative phase
B. Rehabilitation phase
C. Postoperative phase
D. Intraoperative phase
Answer: D
Rationale: The intraoperative phase occurs during the actual surgical procedure within
the OR.
7. A nurse is assessing a patient with hypocalcemia. Which sign is elicited by
tapping the facial nerve in front of the ear?
A. Trousseau’s sign
B. Chvostek’s sign
C. Homans’ sign
D. Kernig’s sign
Answer: B
Rationale: Chvostek’s sign is an abnormal spasm of the facial muscles elicited by light taps
on the facial nerve, indicating hypocalcemia.
8. Which IV fluid is considered isotonic?
A. 0.45% Sodium Chloride
B. 3% Sodium Chloride
C. Dextrose 10% in Water
D. 0.9% Sodium Chloride
Answer: D
Rationale: 0.9% Sodium Chloride (Normal Saline) has the same osmolality as body fluids,
making it isotonic.
