NURS 121L-A Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing Practicum -
Week 10 Final Mastery Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A patient presents with a pH of 7.30, PaCO2 of 52 mmHg, and HCO3 of 24
mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance is the patient experiencing?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Metabolic Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: C
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg with a normal
HCO3 indicates that the respiratory system is the cause of the acidosis.
2. Which clinical manifestation is most characteristic of hypokalemia?
A. Tall peaked T waves
B. Hyperactive bowel sounds
C. Muscle weakness and leg cramps
D. Positive Chvostek’s sign
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypokalemia affects neuromuscular function, commonly causing muscle
weakness, fatigue, and leg cramps. Peaked T waves are seen in hyperkalemia.
,3. A postoperative patient is at risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which
nursing intervention is a priority?
A. Applying ice packs to the calves
B. Encouraging early and frequent ambulation
C. Massaging the legs twice daily
D. Restricting oral fluid intake
Answer: B
Rationale: Ambulation promotes venous return and prevents stasis, which is the primary
cause of DVT formation in surgical patients.
4. What is the primary purpose of the ‘Time Out’ procedure in the operating
room?
A. To allow the surgeon to rest
B. To count all sponges and instruments
C. To verify the correct patient, site, and procedure
D. To administer preoperative antibiotics
Answer: C
Rationale: The Universal Protocol’s ‘Time Out’ is a safety pause to ensure the correct
surgery is performed on the correct site of the correct patient.
5. Which assessment finding would most likely indicate a patient is developing
hypovolemic shock?
A. Bradycardia and hypertension
B. Bounding peripheral pulses
C. Tachycardia and hypotension
D. Increased urinary output
Answer: C
Rationale: In hypovolemic shock, the body compensates for low volume by increasing the
heart rate (tachycardia). As volume drops further, blood pressure falls (hypotension).
, 6. A patient is prescribed Furosemide. Which lab value should the nurse monitor
most closely?
A. Serum Sodium
B. Serum Calcium
C. Serum Potassium
D. Serum Magnesium
Answer: C
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that is non-potassium-sparing, often leading to
significant potassium loss (hypokalemia).
7. What is the hallmark sign of a Stage 2 pressure injury?
A. Non-blanchable erythema of intact skin
B. Partial-thickness skin loss with exposed dermis
C. Full-thickness skin loss with visible fat
D. Full-thickness tissue loss with exposed bone
Answer: B
Rationale: Stage 2 involves partial-thickness loss of dermis presenting as a shallow open
ulcer or a ruptured/intact serum-filled blister.
8. When teaching a patient about incentive spirometry, the nurse should
instruct the patient to:
A. Exhale forcefully into the device
B. Use the device once every 8 hours
C. Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece
D. Hold their breath for 30 seconds after inhalation
Answer: C
Rationale: Incentive spirometry is designed to encourage deep breathing through slow,
sustained inhalation to prevent atelectasis.
Week 10 Final Mastery Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A patient presents with a pH of 7.30, PaCO2 of 52 mmHg, and HCO3 of 24
mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance is the patient experiencing?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Metabolic Alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: C
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg with a normal
HCO3 indicates that the respiratory system is the cause of the acidosis.
2. Which clinical manifestation is most characteristic of hypokalemia?
A. Tall peaked T waves
B. Hyperactive bowel sounds
C. Muscle weakness and leg cramps
D. Positive Chvostek’s sign
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypokalemia affects neuromuscular function, commonly causing muscle
weakness, fatigue, and leg cramps. Peaked T waves are seen in hyperkalemia.
,3. A postoperative patient is at risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which
nursing intervention is a priority?
A. Applying ice packs to the calves
B. Encouraging early and frequent ambulation
C. Massaging the legs twice daily
D. Restricting oral fluid intake
Answer: B
Rationale: Ambulation promotes venous return and prevents stasis, which is the primary
cause of DVT formation in surgical patients.
4. What is the primary purpose of the ‘Time Out’ procedure in the operating
room?
A. To allow the surgeon to rest
B. To count all sponges and instruments
C. To verify the correct patient, site, and procedure
D. To administer preoperative antibiotics
Answer: C
Rationale: The Universal Protocol’s ‘Time Out’ is a safety pause to ensure the correct
surgery is performed on the correct site of the correct patient.
5. Which assessment finding would most likely indicate a patient is developing
hypovolemic shock?
A. Bradycardia and hypertension
B. Bounding peripheral pulses
C. Tachycardia and hypotension
D. Increased urinary output
Answer: C
Rationale: In hypovolemic shock, the body compensates for low volume by increasing the
heart rate (tachycardia). As volume drops further, blood pressure falls (hypotension).
, 6. A patient is prescribed Furosemide. Which lab value should the nurse monitor
most closely?
A. Serum Sodium
B. Serum Calcium
C. Serum Potassium
D. Serum Magnesium
Answer: C
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that is non-potassium-sparing, often leading to
significant potassium loss (hypokalemia).
7. What is the hallmark sign of a Stage 2 pressure injury?
A. Non-blanchable erythema of intact skin
B. Partial-thickness skin loss with exposed dermis
C. Full-thickness skin loss with visible fat
D. Full-thickness tissue loss with exposed bone
Answer: B
Rationale: Stage 2 involves partial-thickness loss of dermis presenting as a shallow open
ulcer or a ruptured/intact serum-filled blister.
8. When teaching a patient about incentive spirometry, the nurse should
instruct the patient to:
A. Exhale forcefully into the device
B. Use the device once every 8 hours
C. Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece
D. Hold their breath for 30 seconds after inhalation
Answer: C
Rationale: Incentive spirometry is designed to encourage deep breathing through slow,
sustained inhalation to prevent atelectasis.
