NURS 120 FINAL EXAM REVIEW 2026/2027 | WEST COAST UNIVERSITY | INTRODUCTION TO
MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING | COMPLETE FINAL EXAM PREP | HIGH-YIELD PRACTICE QUESTIONS
| VERIFIED CORRECT ANSWERS| ULTIMATE STUDY GUIDE | LATEST UPDATED VERSION
1. The nurse is evaluating the pin insertion site of a client's skeletal traction.
Which of the following indicate a complication?
Presence of crusts around the pin insertions site.
Client does not feel pain at insertion site.
Pin moves slightly at insertion site.
Serous drainage on the dressing.
2. A nurse is with a patient who has peptic ulcer disease. Which finding should
the nurse identify as a priority?
Ringing in the ears (Tinnitus).
Epigastric pain.
Normal stool pattern.
Blood in the emesis.
3. What is the purpose of using an NG tube in a patient with an intestinal
obstruction?
To administer medications directly into the intestines.
To facilitate bowel movements.
To provide nutrition directly to the stomach.
To decompress the stomach and prevent further complications.
4. During a Home care visit, a nurse suspects venous insufficiency. Which of the
following would lead the nurse to suspect this?
Thickened to nails
, thin shiny skin on lower extremities
Decreased hair growth on lower extremity
dependent edema
5. If a patient continues to smoke despite understanding the risks, what
intervention should the nurse prioritize to support the patient's health?
Encourage the patient to exercise more.
Provide resources for smoking cessation.
Advise the patient to eat more fast food.
Suggest the patient limit their water intake.
6. Why is it important for the charge nurse to intervene when the newly licensed
nurse states they discarded morphine from the PCA pump?
Because discarding medication requires proper protocol and
documentation to prevent medication errors.
Because the nurse should not handle narcotics.
Because morphine can be reused for other patients.
Because the PCA pump should never be emptied.
7. A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who has an intestinal
obstruction and is receiving continuous GI decompression using an NG tube.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of
care?
Measure abdominal girth daily.
Use sterile water to irrigate.
Maintain client in Fowler's position.
, Moisten lips with lemon-glycerin swabs.
8. What is the first action a nurse should take if a client's oxygen saturation is
85% following surgery?
Raise the head of the bed
Encourage coughing and deep breathing
Administer prescribed analgesic medication
Administer O2 at 2L/min
9. In the care of a patient with a urinary tract infection (UTI), what is the priority
intervention?
- Offer sitz bath
- Encourage increased fluids
- Recommend drinking cranberry juice
- Administer antibiotics (AB)
10. A nurse is caring for a client who has an indwelling foley catheter. Which of
the following should the nurse take to prevent infection?
Use sterile gloves and strict ascetic technique when removing the
foley
Replace the catheter every 3 days
Check the catheter tubing for kinks or twisting
Irrigate the bladder once a shift
11. A postoperative patient has an oxygen saturation of 85% and is also
reporting pain at a level of 8/10. After raising the head of the bed, what
should the nurse do next?
, Monitor vital signs and reassess oxygen saturation
Administer prescribed analgesic medication
Encourage coughing and deep breathing
Administer O2 at 2L/min
12. What is one recommended instruction for a patient with peripheral artery
disease regarding leg positioning?
engage in regular walking exercises
avoid crossing the legs when sitting
apply a heating pad on a low setting to help relieve leg pain
adjust the thermostat so that the room is warm
13. Describe the importance of administering 100% oxygen during the treatment
of malignant hyperthermia.
Administering 100% oxygen reduces the risk of infection.
Administering 100% oxygen is only necessary if the patient is
unconscious.
Administering 100% oxygen prevents the need for surgery.
Administering 100% oxygen helps to counteract hypoxia and
supports cellular metabolism during the hypermetabolic state.
14. What findings should be expected in an older client with community
acquired pneumonia?
Elevated temperature
Bradycardia
Wheezes in right lower lobe
MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING | COMPLETE FINAL EXAM PREP | HIGH-YIELD PRACTICE QUESTIONS
| VERIFIED CORRECT ANSWERS| ULTIMATE STUDY GUIDE | LATEST UPDATED VERSION
1. The nurse is evaluating the pin insertion site of a client's skeletal traction.
Which of the following indicate a complication?
Presence of crusts around the pin insertions site.
Client does not feel pain at insertion site.
Pin moves slightly at insertion site.
Serous drainage on the dressing.
2. A nurse is with a patient who has peptic ulcer disease. Which finding should
the nurse identify as a priority?
Ringing in the ears (Tinnitus).
Epigastric pain.
Normal stool pattern.
Blood in the emesis.
3. What is the purpose of using an NG tube in a patient with an intestinal
obstruction?
To administer medications directly into the intestines.
To facilitate bowel movements.
To provide nutrition directly to the stomach.
To decompress the stomach and prevent further complications.
4. During a Home care visit, a nurse suspects venous insufficiency. Which of the
following would lead the nurse to suspect this?
Thickened to nails
, thin shiny skin on lower extremities
Decreased hair growth on lower extremity
dependent edema
5. If a patient continues to smoke despite understanding the risks, what
intervention should the nurse prioritize to support the patient's health?
Encourage the patient to exercise more.
Provide resources for smoking cessation.
Advise the patient to eat more fast food.
Suggest the patient limit their water intake.
6. Why is it important for the charge nurse to intervene when the newly licensed
nurse states they discarded morphine from the PCA pump?
Because discarding medication requires proper protocol and
documentation to prevent medication errors.
Because the nurse should not handle narcotics.
Because morphine can be reused for other patients.
Because the PCA pump should never be emptied.
7. A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who has an intestinal
obstruction and is receiving continuous GI decompression using an NG tube.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of
care?
Measure abdominal girth daily.
Use sterile water to irrigate.
Maintain client in Fowler's position.
, Moisten lips with lemon-glycerin swabs.
8. What is the first action a nurse should take if a client's oxygen saturation is
85% following surgery?
Raise the head of the bed
Encourage coughing and deep breathing
Administer prescribed analgesic medication
Administer O2 at 2L/min
9. In the care of a patient with a urinary tract infection (UTI), what is the priority
intervention?
- Offer sitz bath
- Encourage increased fluids
- Recommend drinking cranberry juice
- Administer antibiotics (AB)
10. A nurse is caring for a client who has an indwelling foley catheter. Which of
the following should the nurse take to prevent infection?
Use sterile gloves and strict ascetic technique when removing the
foley
Replace the catheter every 3 days
Check the catheter tubing for kinks or twisting
Irrigate the bladder once a shift
11. A postoperative patient has an oxygen saturation of 85% and is also
reporting pain at a level of 8/10. After raising the head of the bed, what
should the nurse do next?
, Monitor vital signs and reassess oxygen saturation
Administer prescribed analgesic medication
Encourage coughing and deep breathing
Administer O2 at 2L/min
12. What is one recommended instruction for a patient with peripheral artery
disease regarding leg positioning?
engage in regular walking exercises
avoid crossing the legs when sitting
apply a heating pad on a low setting to help relieve leg pain
adjust the thermostat so that the room is warm
13. Describe the importance of administering 100% oxygen during the treatment
of malignant hyperthermia.
Administering 100% oxygen reduces the risk of infection.
Administering 100% oxygen is only necessary if the patient is
unconscious.
Administering 100% oxygen prevents the need for surgery.
Administering 100% oxygen helps to counteract hypoxia and
supports cellular metabolism during the hypermetabolic state.
14. What findings should be expected in an older client with community
acquired pneumonia?
Elevated temperature
Bradycardia
Wheezes in right lower lobe
