NURS 121L-B Medical-Surgical Nursing Practicum - Week 6
Comprehensive Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A patient with heart failure presents with a weight gain of 3 kg in 48 hours,
crackles in the lung bases, and 3+ pitting edema. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Assess the patient’s serum sodium level
B. Administer the prescribed PRN loop diuretic
C. Educate the patient on a low-sodium diet
D. Document the findings in the electronic health record
Answer: B
Rationale: Weight gain, crackles, and edema are signs of fluid volume excess;
administering a diuretic is the priority intervention to reduce fluid overload.
2. Which ECG change is most indicative of a potassium level of 6.4 mEq/L?
A. Prominent U waves
B. ST-segment depression
C. Tall, peaked T waves
D. Prolonged PR interval
Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) typically manifests on an ECG as tall,
peaked T waves due to rapid repolarization.
,3. An arterial blood gas (ABG) report shows pH 7.28, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3
25 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these results?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and a PaCO2 above 45 mmHg with a normal
HCO3 indicates that the cause is respiratory.
4. During a post-operative assessment, the nurse observes that the abdominal
wound has eviscerated. What is the immediate nursing intervention?
A. Attempt to reinsert the protruding organs gently
B. Apply a sterile pressure dressing over the site
C. Position the patient in a high-Fowler’s position
D. Cover the wound with sterile gauze soaked in normal saline
Answer: D
Rationale: Evisceration is a medical emergency; the protruding organs must be kept moist
with sterile saline-soaked gauze to prevent necrosis.
5. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is found confused, diaphoretic, and
trembling. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Check the patient’s capillary blood glucose level
B. Administer 10 units of regular insulin subcutaneous
C. Call the healthcare provider immediately
D. Provide a high-protein snack like peanut butter
Answer: A
Rationale: The symptoms suggest hypoglycemia; checking the blood glucose level is the
first step to confirm and treat the condition safely.
, 6. Five minutes after starting a packed red blood cell transfusion, the patient
reports low back pain and chills. What is the priority action?
A. Slow the infusion rate and monitor vitals every 5 minutes
B. Stop the transfusion and disconnect the tubing from the IV site
C. Administer diphenhydramine as a premedication
D. Recheck the blood unit’s identification with another nurse
Answer: B
Rationale: Low back pain and chills are signs of a hemolytic transfusion reaction; the
priority is to stop the transfusion immediately to prevent further harm.
7. The nurse is caring for a patient with COPD who is receiving oxygen. Which
oxygen saturation (SpO2) range is generally considered the target for this
patient?
A. 95% to 100%
B. 98% to 99%
C. 80% to 85%
D. 88% to 92%
Answer: D
Rationale: In COPD patients, a lower oxygen saturation (88-92%) is often targeted to
prevent the suppression of the hypoxic drive to breathe.
8. Which intervention is most effective in preventing deep vein thrombosis
(DVT) in a post-operative patient?
A. Applying sequential compression devices (SCDs) and early ambulation
B. Maintaining strict bed rest for 48 hours
C. Massaging the patient’s calves twice daily
D. Restricting fluid intake to 1000 mL per day
Answer: A
Comprehensive Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A patient with heart failure presents with a weight gain of 3 kg in 48 hours,
crackles in the lung bases, and 3+ pitting edema. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Assess the patient’s serum sodium level
B. Administer the prescribed PRN loop diuretic
C. Educate the patient on a low-sodium diet
D. Document the findings in the electronic health record
Answer: B
Rationale: Weight gain, crackles, and edema are signs of fluid volume excess;
administering a diuretic is the priority intervention to reduce fluid overload.
2. Which ECG change is most indicative of a potassium level of 6.4 mEq/L?
A. Prominent U waves
B. ST-segment depression
C. Tall, peaked T waves
D. Prolonged PR interval
Answer: C
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) typically manifests on an ECG as tall,
peaked T waves due to rapid repolarization.
,3. An arterial blood gas (ABG) report shows pH 7.28, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3
25 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these results?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and a PaCO2 above 45 mmHg with a normal
HCO3 indicates that the cause is respiratory.
4. During a post-operative assessment, the nurse observes that the abdominal
wound has eviscerated. What is the immediate nursing intervention?
A. Attempt to reinsert the protruding organs gently
B. Apply a sterile pressure dressing over the site
C. Position the patient in a high-Fowler’s position
D. Cover the wound with sterile gauze soaked in normal saline
Answer: D
Rationale: Evisceration is a medical emergency; the protruding organs must be kept moist
with sterile saline-soaked gauze to prevent necrosis.
5. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is found confused, diaphoretic, and
trembling. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Check the patient’s capillary blood glucose level
B. Administer 10 units of regular insulin subcutaneous
C. Call the healthcare provider immediately
D. Provide a high-protein snack like peanut butter
Answer: A
Rationale: The symptoms suggest hypoglycemia; checking the blood glucose level is the
first step to confirm and treat the condition safely.
, 6. Five minutes after starting a packed red blood cell transfusion, the patient
reports low back pain and chills. What is the priority action?
A. Slow the infusion rate and monitor vitals every 5 minutes
B. Stop the transfusion and disconnect the tubing from the IV site
C. Administer diphenhydramine as a premedication
D. Recheck the blood unit’s identification with another nurse
Answer: B
Rationale: Low back pain and chills are signs of a hemolytic transfusion reaction; the
priority is to stop the transfusion immediately to prevent further harm.
7. The nurse is caring for a patient with COPD who is receiving oxygen. Which
oxygen saturation (SpO2) range is generally considered the target for this
patient?
A. 95% to 100%
B. 98% to 99%
C. 80% to 85%
D. 88% to 92%
Answer: D
Rationale: In COPD patients, a lower oxygen saturation (88-92%) is often targeted to
prevent the suppression of the hypoxic drive to breathe.
8. Which intervention is most effective in preventing deep vein thrombosis
(DVT) in a post-operative patient?
A. Applying sequential compression devices (SCDs) and early ambulation
B. Maintaining strict bed rest for 48 hours
C. Massaging the patient’s calves twice daily
D. Restricting fluid intake to 1000 mL per day
Answer: A
