NURS 120 | Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing | Study Guide
Exam 2 2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which EKG
change is most characteristic of this condition?
A. Presence of U waves
B. Tall, peaked T waves
C. ST-segment depression
D. Shortened PR interval
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) typically manifests on an EKG as tall,
peaked T waves. U waves are associated with hypokalemia.
2. Which clinical manifestation should the nurse prioritize for a patient
suspected of having hypocalcemia?
A. Hyporeflexia
B. Positive Chvostek’s sign
C. Polyuria
D. Bone pain
Answer: B
Rationale: A positive Chvostek’s sign (facial twitching) and Trousseau’s sign (carpal
spasm) are classic indicators of neuromuscular irritability due to hypocalcemia.
,3. A patient’s ABG results are: pH 7.32, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 24 mEq/L.
How should the nurse interpret these findings?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: The low pH (<7.35) indicates acidosis, and the high PaCO2 (>45) indicates a
respiratory cause. The normal HCO3 suggests no compensation yet.
4. During the preoperative assessment, a patient mentions an allergy to
avocados and bananas. Which action is most appropriate?
A. Notify the surgical team of a possible latex allergy.
B. Document this as a food allergy only.
C. Cancel the surgery immediately.
D. Administer diphenhydramine preoperatively.
Answer: A
Rationale: There is a high cross-reactivity between certain fruits (avocados, bananas, kiwi)
and latex allergy. The surgical team must be alerted to use latex-free equipment.
5. A postoperative patient has an abdominal wound evisceration. Which is the
nurse’s immediate priority action?
A. Attempt to push the organs back into the cavity.
B. Cover the protruding organs with sterile gauze soaked in normal saline.
C. Place the patient in High-Fowler’s position.
D. Call the family to provide support.
Answer: B
, Rationale: Evisceration is a medical emergency. The nurse must cover the exposed tissue
with sterile, saline-soaked dressings to prevent drying and infection, then notify the
surgeon.
6. A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen via nasal cannula. Why is it critical
for the nurse to avoid high-flow oxygen administration?
A. It can suppress the patient’s hypoxic drive to breathe.
B. It causes nitrogen washout and atelectasis.
C. It increases the risk of oxygen-induced combustion.
D. It causes immediate respiratory alkalosis.
Answer: A
Rationale: In chronic hypercapnia (COPD), the stimulus to breathe shifts from high CO2 to
low O2 (hypoxic drive). High-flow oxygen can eliminate this drive, leading to respiratory
arrest.
7. Which medication is considered the ‘gold standard’ for treating malignant
hyperthermia during surgery?
A. Succinylcholine
B. Atropine sulfate
C. Dantrolene sodium
D. Epinephrine
Answer: C
Rationale: Dantrolene is a skeletal muscle relaxant that specifically treats malignant
hyperthermia by inhibiting calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.
Exam 2 2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which EKG
change is most characteristic of this condition?
A. Presence of U waves
B. Tall, peaked T waves
C. ST-segment depression
D. Shortened PR interval
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) typically manifests on an EKG as tall,
peaked T waves. U waves are associated with hypokalemia.
2. Which clinical manifestation should the nurse prioritize for a patient
suspected of having hypocalcemia?
A. Hyporeflexia
B. Positive Chvostek’s sign
C. Polyuria
D. Bone pain
Answer: B
Rationale: A positive Chvostek’s sign (facial twitching) and Trousseau’s sign (carpal
spasm) are classic indicators of neuromuscular irritability due to hypocalcemia.
,3. A patient’s ABG results are: pH 7.32, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3 24 mEq/L.
How should the nurse interpret these findings?
A. Respiratory Acidosis
B. Respiratory Alkalosis
C. Metabolic Acidosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: A
Rationale: The low pH (<7.35) indicates acidosis, and the high PaCO2 (>45) indicates a
respiratory cause. The normal HCO3 suggests no compensation yet.
4. During the preoperative assessment, a patient mentions an allergy to
avocados and bananas. Which action is most appropriate?
A. Notify the surgical team of a possible latex allergy.
B. Document this as a food allergy only.
C. Cancel the surgery immediately.
D. Administer diphenhydramine preoperatively.
Answer: A
Rationale: There is a high cross-reactivity between certain fruits (avocados, bananas, kiwi)
and latex allergy. The surgical team must be alerted to use latex-free equipment.
5. A postoperative patient has an abdominal wound evisceration. Which is the
nurse’s immediate priority action?
A. Attempt to push the organs back into the cavity.
B. Cover the protruding organs with sterile gauze soaked in normal saline.
C. Place the patient in High-Fowler’s position.
D. Call the family to provide support.
Answer: B
, Rationale: Evisceration is a medical emergency. The nurse must cover the exposed tissue
with sterile, saline-soaked dressings to prevent drying and infection, then notify the
surgeon.
6. A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen via nasal cannula. Why is it critical
for the nurse to avoid high-flow oxygen administration?
A. It can suppress the patient’s hypoxic drive to breathe.
B. It causes nitrogen washout and atelectasis.
C. It increases the risk of oxygen-induced combustion.
D. It causes immediate respiratory alkalosis.
Answer: A
Rationale: In chronic hypercapnia (COPD), the stimulus to breathe shifts from high CO2 to
low O2 (hypoxic drive). High-flow oxygen can eliminate this drive, leading to respiratory
arrest.
7. Which medication is considered the ‘gold standard’ for treating malignant
hyperthermia during surgery?
A. Succinylcholine
B. Atropine sulfate
C. Dantrolene sodium
D. Epinephrine
Answer: C
Rationale: Dantrolene is a skeletal muscle relaxant that specifically treats malignant
hyperthermia by inhibiting calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.
