NURS 201 Quiz 6 V1 | NURS 201 Medical
Surgical Nursing | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (NURS201 Quiz 6) | West Coast
University
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus who is experiencing Kussmaul
respirations. What is the nurse’s primary interpretation of this finding?
A. The patient is experiencing respiratory alkalosis.
B. The body is attempting to compensate for metabolic acidosis by blowing off CO2.
C. The patient has developed fluid volume overload.
D. The patient is experiencing a localized inflammatory response in the lungs.
Answer: B
Rationale: Kussmaul respirations are deep, rapid breaths that occur as a compensatory
mechanism for metabolic acidosis, such as Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). By increasing the
rate and depth of breathing, the body attempts to excrete excess carbon dioxide to raise the
blood pH. This clinical sign is a hallmark of severe acid-base imbalance in diabetic
emergencies.
2. Which clinical manifestation should the nurse prioritize when assessing a patient for a
potential Addisonian Crisis?
A. Severe hypertension and bradycardia.
,B. Hyperglycemia and weight gain.
C. Hypotension and tachycardia.
D. Moon face and truncal obesity.
Answer: C
Rationale: An Addisonian crisis is a life-threatening emergency caused by a severe
deficiency of cortisol and aldosterone. This leads to profound hypotension, tachycardia, and
vascular collapse due to the loss of sodium and water. The nurse must recognize these
signs of shock immediately to initiate fluid resuscitation and steroid replacement.
3. A patient is scheduled for a thyroidectomy. Which medication does the nurse expect to
administer preoperatively to reduce the vascularity of the thyroid gland?
A. Levothyroxine
B. Lugol’s solution (Potassium Iodide).
C. Propylthiouracil (PTU)
D. Spironolactone
Answer: B
Rationale: Iodine preparations like Lugol’s solution are used preoperatively to inhibit the
release of thyroid hormones. They also significantly decrease the vascularity of the thyroid
gland, which reduces the risk of hemorrhage during surgery. The nurse should monitor for
signs of iodism, such as a metallic taste or sore gums, during administration.
, 4. A patient with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has a serum potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L.
Which medication should the nurse be prepared to administer to provide the fastest
protection to the heart?
A. Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate (Kayexalate)
B. Furosemide
C. Calcium Gluconate.
D. Regular Insulin with D50
Answer: C
Rationale: While several medications help lower potassium, intravenous Calcium
Gluconate is the priority to stabilize the cardiac membrane and prevent life-threatening
arrhythmias. It does not lower the potassium level itself but protects the heart from the
effects of hyperkalemia. Following this, insulin or Kayexalate may be used to actually shift
or remove potassium from the body.
5. When assessing a patient with Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH),
which finding is most consistent with the diagnosis?
A. High serum osmolality
B. Low serum sodium (Hyponatremia).
C. Hypernatremia
D. Increased urinary output
Surgical Nursing | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (NURS201 Quiz 6) | West Coast
University
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus who is experiencing Kussmaul
respirations. What is the nurse’s primary interpretation of this finding?
A. The patient is experiencing respiratory alkalosis.
B. The body is attempting to compensate for metabolic acidosis by blowing off CO2.
C. The patient has developed fluid volume overload.
D. The patient is experiencing a localized inflammatory response in the lungs.
Answer: B
Rationale: Kussmaul respirations are deep, rapid breaths that occur as a compensatory
mechanism for metabolic acidosis, such as Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). By increasing the
rate and depth of breathing, the body attempts to excrete excess carbon dioxide to raise the
blood pH. This clinical sign is a hallmark of severe acid-base imbalance in diabetic
emergencies.
2. Which clinical manifestation should the nurse prioritize when assessing a patient for a
potential Addisonian Crisis?
A. Severe hypertension and bradycardia.
,B. Hyperglycemia and weight gain.
C. Hypotension and tachycardia.
D. Moon face and truncal obesity.
Answer: C
Rationale: An Addisonian crisis is a life-threatening emergency caused by a severe
deficiency of cortisol and aldosterone. This leads to profound hypotension, tachycardia, and
vascular collapse due to the loss of sodium and water. The nurse must recognize these
signs of shock immediately to initiate fluid resuscitation and steroid replacement.
3. A patient is scheduled for a thyroidectomy. Which medication does the nurse expect to
administer preoperatively to reduce the vascularity of the thyroid gland?
A. Levothyroxine
B. Lugol’s solution (Potassium Iodide).
C. Propylthiouracil (PTU)
D. Spironolactone
Answer: B
Rationale: Iodine preparations like Lugol’s solution are used preoperatively to inhibit the
release of thyroid hormones. They also significantly decrease the vascularity of the thyroid
gland, which reduces the risk of hemorrhage during surgery. The nurse should monitor for
signs of iodism, such as a metallic taste or sore gums, during administration.
, 4. A patient with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has a serum potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L.
Which medication should the nurse be prepared to administer to provide the fastest
protection to the heart?
A. Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate (Kayexalate)
B. Furosemide
C. Calcium Gluconate.
D. Regular Insulin with D50
Answer: C
Rationale: While several medications help lower potassium, intravenous Calcium
Gluconate is the priority to stabilize the cardiac membrane and prevent life-threatening
arrhythmias. It does not lower the potassium level itself but protects the heart from the
effects of hyperkalemia. Following this, insulin or Kayexalate may be used to actually shift
or remove potassium from the body.
5. When assessing a patient with Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH),
which finding is most consistent with the diagnosis?
A. High serum osmolality
B. Low serum sodium (Hyponatremia).
C. Hypernatremia
D. Increased urinary output
