West Coast University NURS 120 Week 5 Quiz (pdf) |
2026/2027 | Introduction to Medical Surgical Nursing Q&A |
Nursing
1. Which bacterium is the causative agent of tuberculosis?
A) Streptococcus pneumoniae
B) Mycobacterium tuberculosis
C) Haemophilus influenzae
D) Staphylococcus aureus
Correct Answer: Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Rationale: Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
It is transmitted via airborne droplets through close, frequent, and prolonged contact. The body
encases the bacillus in collagen, forming a granuloma visible on chest X-ray.
2. What percentage of individuals infected with tuberculosis will develop active disease?
A) 1-2%
B) 5-10%
C) 20-30%
D) 50-75%
Correct Answer: 5-10%
Rationale: Approximately 5-10% of people infected with tuberculosis will develop active TB disease.
The majority of infected individuals remain in a latent state. Risk factors for progression include
immunosuppression and poor access to healthcare.
3. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of fluid volume deficit?
A) Bounding pulse
B) Decreased skin turgor
C) Crackles in the lung bases
D) Jugular venous distention
Correct Answer: Decreased skin turgor
Rationale: Decreased skin turgor occurs due to loss of interstitial fluid, which is characteristic of
dehydration or fluid volume deficit. Bounding pulse and jugular venous distention are associated with
fluid volume excess. Crackles in the lung bases indicate pulmonary congestion from fluid overload.
4. A patient's arterial blood gas results show pH 7.28, PaCO2 50 mmHg, and HCO3 24 mEq/L. Which
acid-base imbalance is occurring?
A) Metabolic acidosis
,B) Respiratory alkalosis
C) Respiratory acidosis
D) Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: Respiratory acidosis
Rationale: The pH is below 7.35, indicating acidosis, and the PaCO2 is above 45 mmHg, indicating a
respiratory cause. The HCO3 is within normal limits, so there is no metabolic compensation. This
combination confirms uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
5. Who is primarily responsible for obtaining the patient's informed consent for a surgical procedure?
A) The circulating nurse
B) The surgeon
C) The anesthesiologist
D) The patient's family member
Correct Answer: The surgeon
Rationale: The surgeon is legally responsible for explaining the procedure, risks, and benefits to
obtain informed consent. The nurse's role is to witness the signature and ensure the patient appears
competent and signed voluntarily. Other team members do not carry the legal responsibility for
obtaining consent.
6. Which electrolyte imbalance is associated with a positive Chvostek's sign?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypocalcemia
C) Hypernatremia
D) Hypokalemia
Correct Answer: Hypocalcemia
Rationale: Chvostek's sign, which is facial twitching when the facial nerve is tapped, is a common
clinical indicator of hypocalcemia. Hyperkalemia does not produce this sign. The underlying
mechanism involves increased neuromuscular excitability due to low serum calcium levels.
7. Which of the following is a priority nursing intervention for a patient in the immediate
postoperative period?
A) Maintaining a patent airway
B) Assessing the surgical site
C) Administering pain medication
D) Encouraging early ambulation
Correct Answer: Maintaining a patent airway
, Rationale: Maintaining a patient airway is the highest priority in the immediate postoperative period
due to the risk of respiratory depression from anesthesia. Airway, breathing, and circulation take
precedence over pain management and surgical site assessment. Early ambulation is important but
occurs after the patient is stabilized.
8. A patient is receiving a blood transfusion. Within 15 minutes, the patient reports back pain and
dyspnea. What is the nurse's first action?
A) Administer diphenhydramine
B) Stop the transfusion
C) Obtain a urine specimen
D) Increase the infusion rate
Correct Answer: Stop the transfusion
Rationale: If a transfusion reaction is suspected, the immediate priority is to stop the transfusion to
prevent further exposure to the blood product. Administering diphenhydramine may be appropriate
later but is not the first action. The nurse must then maintain IV access with new tubing and normal
saline.
9. Which type of solution is 0.45% Sodium Chloride?
A) Isotonic
B) Hypertonic
C) Hypotonic
D) Colloid
Correct Answer: Hypotonic
Rationale: 0.45% Sodium Chloride is a hypotonic solution, which shifts fluid from the intravascular
space into the cells. Isotonic solutions such as 0.9% NaCl do not cause this fluid shift. Hypertonic
solutions draw fluid into the intravascular space from the cells.
10. What is the goal of palliative care for a patient with terminal cancer?
A) To cure the underlying disease
B) To prolong life by any means
C) To manage symptoms and improve quality of life
D) To prepare the patient for aggressive treatment
Correct Answer: To manage symptoms and improve quality of life
Rationale: Palliative care focuses on symptom management and providing the best possible quality of
life for patients with serious illnesses. It is not intended to cure the disease or prolong life through
aggressive measures. Palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatment when appropriate.
11. A patient has a serum potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which EKG change should the nurse monitor
for?
2026/2027 | Introduction to Medical Surgical Nursing Q&A |
Nursing
1. Which bacterium is the causative agent of tuberculosis?
A) Streptococcus pneumoniae
B) Mycobacterium tuberculosis
C) Haemophilus influenzae
D) Staphylococcus aureus
Correct Answer: Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Rationale: Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
It is transmitted via airborne droplets through close, frequent, and prolonged contact. The body
encases the bacillus in collagen, forming a granuloma visible on chest X-ray.
2. What percentage of individuals infected with tuberculosis will develop active disease?
A) 1-2%
B) 5-10%
C) 20-30%
D) 50-75%
Correct Answer: 5-10%
Rationale: Approximately 5-10% of people infected with tuberculosis will develop active TB disease.
The majority of infected individuals remain in a latent state. Risk factors for progression include
immunosuppression and poor access to healthcare.
3. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of fluid volume deficit?
A) Bounding pulse
B) Decreased skin turgor
C) Crackles in the lung bases
D) Jugular venous distention
Correct Answer: Decreased skin turgor
Rationale: Decreased skin turgor occurs due to loss of interstitial fluid, which is characteristic of
dehydration or fluid volume deficit. Bounding pulse and jugular venous distention are associated with
fluid volume excess. Crackles in the lung bases indicate pulmonary congestion from fluid overload.
4. A patient's arterial blood gas results show pH 7.28, PaCO2 50 mmHg, and HCO3 24 mEq/L. Which
acid-base imbalance is occurring?
A) Metabolic acidosis
,B) Respiratory alkalosis
C) Respiratory acidosis
D) Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: Respiratory acidosis
Rationale: The pH is below 7.35, indicating acidosis, and the PaCO2 is above 45 mmHg, indicating a
respiratory cause. The HCO3 is within normal limits, so there is no metabolic compensation. This
combination confirms uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
5. Who is primarily responsible for obtaining the patient's informed consent for a surgical procedure?
A) The circulating nurse
B) The surgeon
C) The anesthesiologist
D) The patient's family member
Correct Answer: The surgeon
Rationale: The surgeon is legally responsible for explaining the procedure, risks, and benefits to
obtain informed consent. The nurse's role is to witness the signature and ensure the patient appears
competent and signed voluntarily. Other team members do not carry the legal responsibility for
obtaining consent.
6. Which electrolyte imbalance is associated with a positive Chvostek's sign?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypocalcemia
C) Hypernatremia
D) Hypokalemia
Correct Answer: Hypocalcemia
Rationale: Chvostek's sign, which is facial twitching when the facial nerve is tapped, is a common
clinical indicator of hypocalcemia. Hyperkalemia does not produce this sign. The underlying
mechanism involves increased neuromuscular excitability due to low serum calcium levels.
7. Which of the following is a priority nursing intervention for a patient in the immediate
postoperative period?
A) Maintaining a patent airway
B) Assessing the surgical site
C) Administering pain medication
D) Encouraging early ambulation
Correct Answer: Maintaining a patent airway
, Rationale: Maintaining a patient airway is the highest priority in the immediate postoperative period
due to the risk of respiratory depression from anesthesia. Airway, breathing, and circulation take
precedence over pain management and surgical site assessment. Early ambulation is important but
occurs after the patient is stabilized.
8. A patient is receiving a blood transfusion. Within 15 minutes, the patient reports back pain and
dyspnea. What is the nurse's first action?
A) Administer diphenhydramine
B) Stop the transfusion
C) Obtain a urine specimen
D) Increase the infusion rate
Correct Answer: Stop the transfusion
Rationale: If a transfusion reaction is suspected, the immediate priority is to stop the transfusion to
prevent further exposure to the blood product. Administering diphenhydramine may be appropriate
later but is not the first action. The nurse must then maintain IV access with new tubing and normal
saline.
9. Which type of solution is 0.45% Sodium Chloride?
A) Isotonic
B) Hypertonic
C) Hypotonic
D) Colloid
Correct Answer: Hypotonic
Rationale: 0.45% Sodium Chloride is a hypotonic solution, which shifts fluid from the intravascular
space into the cells. Isotonic solutions such as 0.9% NaCl do not cause this fluid shift. Hypertonic
solutions draw fluid into the intravascular space from the cells.
10. What is the goal of palliative care for a patient with terminal cancer?
A) To cure the underlying disease
B) To prolong life by any means
C) To manage symptoms and improve quality of life
D) To prepare the patient for aggressive treatment
Correct Answer: To manage symptoms and improve quality of life
Rationale: Palliative care focuses on symptom management and providing the best possible quality of
life for patients with serious illnesses. It is not intended to cure the disease or prolong life through
aggressive measures. Palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatment when appropriate.
11. A patient has a serum potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which EKG change should the nurse monitor
for?
