NURS 121L-B | Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing Practicum -
On-Campus | Week 11 Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who is 12 hours postoperative following
abdominal surgery. The patient reports sudden chest pain and shortness of
breath. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Initiate oxygen therapy via nasal cannula
B. Administer the prescribed PRN analgesic
C. Encourage the patient to use the incentive spirometer
D. Perform a focused abdominal assessment
Answer: A
Rationale: Sudden chest pain and dyspnea in a postoperative patient are clinical indicators
of a pulmonary embolism. The nurse’s priority action is to improve oxygenation followed
by notifying the rapid response team.
2. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a patient receiving furosemide.
Which of the following results should the nurse report to the provider
immediately?
A. Sodium 136 mEq/L
B. Creatinine 1.0 mg/dL
C. BUN 18 mg/dL
D. Potassium 2.8 mEq/L
Answer: D
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause significant potassium loss. A
potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L is critically low (hypokalemia) and increases the risk for
cardiac dysrhythmias.
,3. The nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient with heart failure.
Which assessment must be performed prior to administration?
A. Blood pressure in both arms
B. Respiratory rate for one full minute
C. Apical pulse for 60 seconds
D. Oxygen saturation levels
Answer: C
Rationale: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that slows the heart rate. The nurse must assess
the apical pulse for one full minute and hold the medication if the rate is below 60 beats per
minute to prevent toxicity and bradycardia.
4. Which of the following patients should the nurse see first during the morning
shift?
A. A patient with a hip fracture reporting pain of 7 on a 1-10 scale
B. A patient with type 1 diabetes whose pre-breakfast blood glucose is 160 mg/dL
C. A patient with pneumonia who has become increasingly restless and confused
D. A patient scheduled for discharge who needs education on wound care
Answer: C
Rationale: Using the ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) and safety framework,
restlessness and confusion are early signs of hypoxia (low oxygen levels). This patient is
the most unstable and requires immediate assessment.
, 5. A nurse is assessing a patient’s surgical incision and notes a small amount of
thin, watery, pink-tinged drainage. How should the nurse document this
finding?
A. Serous drainage
B. Sanguineous drainage
C. Serosanguineous drainage
D. Purulent drainage
Answer: C
Rationale: Serosanguineous drainage is characterized by a mixture of serum
(yellow/clear) and red blood cells, resulting in a thin, watery, pinkish appearance, which is
common in healing wounds.
6. When providing preoperative teaching, which statement by the patient
indicates a need for further instruction?
A. ‘I will use the incentive spirometer every hour while I am awake.’
B. ‘I should stop taking my aspirin one week before the surgery.’
C. ‘I can drink clear liquids up until 2 hours before the procedure.’
D. ‘I will stay in bed for the first 48 hours after surgery to rest.’
Answer: D
Rationale: Early ambulation is critical postoperatively to prevent complications such as
DVT, pneumonia, and ileus. Staying in bed for 48 hours is contraindicated unless
specifically ordered by the surgeon.
On-Campus | Week 11 Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who is 12 hours postoperative following
abdominal surgery. The patient reports sudden chest pain and shortness of
breath. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Initiate oxygen therapy via nasal cannula
B. Administer the prescribed PRN analgesic
C. Encourage the patient to use the incentive spirometer
D. Perform a focused abdominal assessment
Answer: A
Rationale: Sudden chest pain and dyspnea in a postoperative patient are clinical indicators
of a pulmonary embolism. The nurse’s priority action is to improve oxygenation followed
by notifying the rapid response team.
2. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a patient receiving furosemide.
Which of the following results should the nurse report to the provider
immediately?
A. Sodium 136 mEq/L
B. Creatinine 1.0 mg/dL
C. BUN 18 mg/dL
D. Potassium 2.8 mEq/L
Answer: D
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause significant potassium loss. A
potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L is critically low (hypokalemia) and increases the risk for
cardiac dysrhythmias.
,3. The nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient with heart failure.
Which assessment must be performed prior to administration?
A. Blood pressure in both arms
B. Respiratory rate for one full minute
C. Apical pulse for 60 seconds
D. Oxygen saturation levels
Answer: C
Rationale: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that slows the heart rate. The nurse must assess
the apical pulse for one full minute and hold the medication if the rate is below 60 beats per
minute to prevent toxicity and bradycardia.
4. Which of the following patients should the nurse see first during the morning
shift?
A. A patient with a hip fracture reporting pain of 7 on a 1-10 scale
B. A patient with type 1 diabetes whose pre-breakfast blood glucose is 160 mg/dL
C. A patient with pneumonia who has become increasingly restless and confused
D. A patient scheduled for discharge who needs education on wound care
Answer: C
Rationale: Using the ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) and safety framework,
restlessness and confusion are early signs of hypoxia (low oxygen levels). This patient is
the most unstable and requires immediate assessment.
, 5. A nurse is assessing a patient’s surgical incision and notes a small amount of
thin, watery, pink-tinged drainage. How should the nurse document this
finding?
A. Serous drainage
B. Sanguineous drainage
C. Serosanguineous drainage
D. Purulent drainage
Answer: C
Rationale: Serosanguineous drainage is characterized by a mixture of serum
(yellow/clear) and red blood cells, resulting in a thin, watery, pinkish appearance, which is
common in healing wounds.
6. When providing preoperative teaching, which statement by the patient
indicates a need for further instruction?
A. ‘I will use the incentive spirometer every hour while I am awake.’
B. ‘I should stop taking my aspirin one week before the surgery.’
C. ‘I can drink clear liquids up until 2 hours before the procedure.’
D. ‘I will stay in bed for the first 48 hours after surgery to rest.’
Answer: D
Rationale: Early ambulation is critical postoperatively to prevent complications such as
DVT, pneumonia, and ileus. Staying in bed for 48 hours is contraindicated unless
specifically ordered by the surgeon.
