NURS 120 | Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing | Week 6
Comprehensive Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presents with a
pH of 7.28, PaCO2 of 52 mmHg, and HCO3- of 26 mEq/L. How should the nurse
interpret these arterial blood gas (ABG) results?
A. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
B. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
C. Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
D. Fully compensated metabolic alkalosis
Answer: C
Rationale: The pH is low (acidosis), the PaCO2 is high (respiratory cause), and the HCO3-
is slightly elevated attempting to compensate, indicating partial compensation.
2. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark sign of hypocalcemia that the nurse
should assess for after a thyroidectomy?
A. Chvostek’s sign
B. Depressed deep tendon reflexes
C. Negative Trousseau’s sign
D. Polyuria and polydipsia
Answer: A
Rationale: Chvostek’s sign (facial twitching when the facial nerve is tapped) is a classic
indicator of neuromuscular excitability caused by hypocalcemia, often a complication of
thyroid/parathyroid surgery.
,3. A patient’s serum potassium level is 6.4 mEq/L. Which prescription should the
nurse prioritize to protect the heart from the effects of hyperkalemia?
A. Intravenous Calcium Gluconate
B. Oral Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate (Kayexalate)
C. Intravenous Furosemide (Lasix)
D. Intravenous Regular Insulin and Dextrose
Answer: A
Rationale: While insulin and Kayexalate lower potassium levels, Calcium Gluconate is
administered first to stabilize the myocardial cell membrane and prevent life-threatening
arrhythmias.
4. The nurse is caring for a patient who has been vomiting for 24 hours. Which
acid-base imbalance is this patient most at risk for?
A. Metabolic Alkalosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: Vomiting causes the loss of hydrochloric acid from the stomach, leading to an
excess of bicarbonate in the blood, resulting in metabolic alkalosis.
5. A patient is scheduled for an elective surgery. Who is legally responsible for
obtaining the patient’s informed consent?
A. The circulating nurse
B. The surgeon
C. The anesthesiologist
D. The nurse manager
Answer: B
, Rationale: The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure, risks, and benefits to
the patient and obtaining consent; the nurse’s role is to witness the signature.
6. During the intraoperative phase, the patient develops a heart rate of 120
bpm, muscle rigidity, and a rapidly rising body temperature. Which medication
must be available immediately?
A. Epinephrine
B. Dantrolene Sodium
C. Atropine Sulfate
D. Naloxone
Answer: B
Rationale: These are classic signs of Malignant Hyperthermia, a surgical emergency.
Dantrolene is the skeletal muscle relaxant used specifically to treat this condition.
7. A post-operative patient reports sudden chest pain and shortness of breath.
The nurse notes the patient is tachycardic and tachypneic. Which complication
should the nurse suspect?
A. Hypovolemic shock
B. Atelectasis
C. Pneumonia
D. Pulmonary Embolism
Answer: D
Rationale: Sudden onset of dyspnea, chest pain, and tachycardia in a post-operative
patient are red flags for a pulmonary embolism, often originating from a DVT.
Comprehensive Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presents with a
pH of 7.28, PaCO2 of 52 mmHg, and HCO3- of 26 mEq/L. How should the nurse
interpret these arterial blood gas (ABG) results?
A. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
B. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
C. Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
D. Fully compensated metabolic alkalosis
Answer: C
Rationale: The pH is low (acidosis), the PaCO2 is high (respiratory cause), and the HCO3-
is slightly elevated attempting to compensate, indicating partial compensation.
2. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark sign of hypocalcemia that the nurse
should assess for after a thyroidectomy?
A. Chvostek’s sign
B. Depressed deep tendon reflexes
C. Negative Trousseau’s sign
D. Polyuria and polydipsia
Answer: A
Rationale: Chvostek’s sign (facial twitching when the facial nerve is tapped) is a classic
indicator of neuromuscular excitability caused by hypocalcemia, often a complication of
thyroid/parathyroid surgery.
,3. A patient’s serum potassium level is 6.4 mEq/L. Which prescription should the
nurse prioritize to protect the heart from the effects of hyperkalemia?
A. Intravenous Calcium Gluconate
B. Oral Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate (Kayexalate)
C. Intravenous Furosemide (Lasix)
D. Intravenous Regular Insulin and Dextrose
Answer: A
Rationale: While insulin and Kayexalate lower potassium levels, Calcium Gluconate is
administered first to stabilize the myocardial cell membrane and prevent life-threatening
arrhythmias.
4. The nurse is caring for a patient who has been vomiting for 24 hours. Which
acid-base imbalance is this patient most at risk for?
A. Metabolic Alkalosis
B. Metabolic Acidosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: Vomiting causes the loss of hydrochloric acid from the stomach, leading to an
excess of bicarbonate in the blood, resulting in metabolic alkalosis.
5. A patient is scheduled for an elective surgery. Who is legally responsible for
obtaining the patient’s informed consent?
A. The circulating nurse
B. The surgeon
C. The anesthesiologist
D. The nurse manager
Answer: B
, Rationale: The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure, risks, and benefits to
the patient and obtaining consent; the nurse’s role is to witness the signature.
6. During the intraoperative phase, the patient develops a heart rate of 120
bpm, muscle rigidity, and a rapidly rising body temperature. Which medication
must be available immediately?
A. Epinephrine
B. Dantrolene Sodium
C. Atropine Sulfate
D. Naloxone
Answer: B
Rationale: These are classic signs of Malignant Hyperthermia, a surgical emergency.
Dantrolene is the skeletal muscle relaxant used specifically to treat this condition.
7. A post-operative patient reports sudden chest pain and shortness of breath.
The nurse notes the patient is tachycardic and tachypneic. Which complication
should the nurse suspect?
A. Hypovolemic shock
B. Atelectasis
C. Pneumonia
D. Pulmonary Embolism
Answer: D
Rationale: Sudden onset of dyspnea, chest pain, and tachycardia in a post-operative
patient are red flags for a pulmonary embolism, often originating from a DVT.
