NUR 210 EXAM 2: NURSING
FUNDAMENTALS AND MEDICAL-
SURGICAL FOUNDATIONS QUESTIONS
AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE
1. A patient presents with a serum potassium level of 6.4 mEq/L. Which of the following is the
priority nursing intervention?
A. Administer oral potassium supplements as ordered.
B. Initiate continuous cardiac monitoring.
C. Encourage increased intake of bananas and spinach.
D. Check the patient’s blood pressure for hypotension.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0 mEq/L) can cause life-threatening
cardiac arrhythmias. Monitoring the heart rhythm is the priority to detect changes like
peaked T waves or widened QRS complexes.
2. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) result is most indicative of a patient experiencing
uncompensated respiratory acidosis?
A. pH 7.50, PaCO2 30 mmHg, HCO3 22 mEq/L
,B. pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, HCO3 24 mEq/L
C. pH 7.32, PaCO2 40 mmHg, HCO3 18 mEq/L
D. pH 7.45, PaCO2 45 mmHg, HCO3 26 mEq/L
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Respiratory acidosis is characterized by a low pH (<7.35) and an
elevated PaCO2 (>45 mmHg). If the HCO3 is normal, it is uncompensated.
3. A post-operative patient is suspected of having malignant hyperthermia. What is the
nurse’s immediate action?
A. Apply warm blankets to stabilize body temperature.
B. Administer IV Dantrolene as prescribed.
C. Increase the concentration of inhalation anesthetic.
D. Perform a rapid neurological assessment.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Dantrolene sodium is the specific skeletal muscle relaxant used
to treat malignant hyperthermia by inhibiting calcium release.
4. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving oxygen via nasal
cannula. Which oxygen flow rate is generally appropriate to avoid suppressing the hypoxic
drive?
A. 6-10 L/min
, B. 1-2 L/min
C. 10-15 L/min via non-rebreather
D. Room air only
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: High oxygen concentrations in COPD patients can suppress their
stimulus to breathe (hypoxic drive), so low-flow oxygen (1-2 L/min) is typically
maintained.
5. During a pre-operative assessment, the nurse notes the patient is wearing a nicotine patch.
Why is this significant for the surgical team?
A. Nicotine improves wound healing by increasing blood flow.
B. Nicotine causes vasoconstriction and can impair surgical site perfusion.
C. Nicotine interferes with the metabolism of anesthetic gases.
D. The patch will cause electrical burns during electrocautery.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Nicotine causes vasoconstriction, which reduces blood flow to
tissues and delays wound healing post-operatively.
6. A patient reports a sharp, localized pain that increases with movement following
abdominal surgery. The nurse identifies this as:
A. Somatic pain
FUNDAMENTALS AND MEDICAL-
SURGICAL FOUNDATIONS QUESTIONS
AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE
1. A patient presents with a serum potassium level of 6.4 mEq/L. Which of the following is the
priority nursing intervention?
A. Administer oral potassium supplements as ordered.
B. Initiate continuous cardiac monitoring.
C. Encourage increased intake of bananas and spinach.
D. Check the patient’s blood pressure for hypotension.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0 mEq/L) can cause life-threatening
cardiac arrhythmias. Monitoring the heart rhythm is the priority to detect changes like
peaked T waves or widened QRS complexes.
2. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) result is most indicative of a patient experiencing
uncompensated respiratory acidosis?
A. pH 7.50, PaCO2 30 mmHg, HCO3 22 mEq/L
,B. pH 7.30, PaCO2 52 mmHg, HCO3 24 mEq/L
C. pH 7.32, PaCO2 40 mmHg, HCO3 18 mEq/L
D. pH 7.45, PaCO2 45 mmHg, HCO3 26 mEq/L
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Respiratory acidosis is characterized by a low pH (<7.35) and an
elevated PaCO2 (>45 mmHg). If the HCO3 is normal, it is uncompensated.
3. A post-operative patient is suspected of having malignant hyperthermia. What is the
nurse’s immediate action?
A. Apply warm blankets to stabilize body temperature.
B. Administer IV Dantrolene as prescribed.
C. Increase the concentration of inhalation anesthetic.
D. Perform a rapid neurological assessment.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Dantrolene sodium is the specific skeletal muscle relaxant used
to treat malignant hyperthermia by inhibiting calcium release.
4. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving oxygen via nasal
cannula. Which oxygen flow rate is generally appropriate to avoid suppressing the hypoxic
drive?
A. 6-10 L/min
, B. 1-2 L/min
C. 10-15 L/min via non-rebreather
D. Room air only
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: High oxygen concentrations in COPD patients can suppress their
stimulus to breathe (hypoxic drive), so low-flow oxygen (1-2 L/min) is typically
maintained.
5. During a pre-operative assessment, the nurse notes the patient is wearing a nicotine patch.
Why is this significant for the surgical team?
A. Nicotine improves wound healing by increasing blood flow.
B. Nicotine causes vasoconstriction and can impair surgical site perfusion.
C. Nicotine interferes with the metabolism of anesthetic gases.
D. The patch will cause electrical burns during electrocautery.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Nicotine causes vasoconstriction, which reduces blood flow to
tissues and delays wound healing post-operatively.
6. A patient reports a sharp, localized pain that increases with movement following
abdominal surgery. The nurse identifies this as:
A. Somatic pain
