NURS 120 | Medical-Surgical Nursing Week 5 Comprehensive Quiz
2026 |WCU
1. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is admitted
with an arterial blood gas (ABG) result of pH 7.31, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3
26 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and a PaCO2 above 45 mmHg indicates a
respiratory cause. The bicarbonate (HCO3) is within normal limits, confirming
uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
2. Which assessment finding is the most critical for a nurse to report
immediately in a patient who is 4 hours postoperative following abdominal
surgery?
A. Urine output of 20 mL/hr for two consecutive hours
B. Absence of bowel sounds in all quadrants
C. Serosanguinous drainage on the dressing
D. Pain level of 6/10 at the incision site
Answer: A
Rationale: Urine output below 30 mL/hr is a sign of poor renal perfusion and potentially
hypovolemic shock, requiring immediate intervention. Bowel sounds are often absent
immediately post-op.
,3. The nurse is caring for a patient with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L.
Which cardiac monitor finding should the nurse anticipate?
A. Tall, peaked T waves
B. Prominent U waves
C. Shortened PR interval
D. ST segment depression
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) typically causes tall, peaked T waves,
widened QRS complexes, and eventually cardiac arrest.
4. During the preoperative assessment, a patient reveals an allergy to avocados
and bananas. For which intraoperative complication is this patient at higher
risk?
A. Malignant hyperthermia
B. Latex allergy
C. Anaphylaxis to propofol
D. Lidocaine toxicity
Answer: B
Rationale: Patients with allergies to certain fruits like avocados, bananas, and kiwis have a
high cross-reactivity with latex due to similar proteins.
5. A patient who is NPO for surgery is scheduled for an 08:00 dose of insulin
glargine (Lantus). What is the nurse’s best action?
A. Administer the full dose as prescribed
B. Hold the insulin glargine entirely
C. Give half the dose after checking blood glucose
D. Substitute glargine with a rapid-acting insulin
Answer: A
, Rationale: Insulin glargine is long-acting and provides a basal rate. It typically does not
cause hypoglycemia in NPO patients and is usually continued to maintain metabolic
stability, though the nurse should verify with the surgeon’s orders.
6. The nurse is providing discharge education to a patient with a new diagnosis
of heart failure. Which instruction is most important regarding fluid balance?
A. Weigh yourself daily and report a gain of 3 lbs in 2 days
B. Limit sodium intake to 5 grams per day
C. Increase intake of potassium-rich foods
D. Drink at least 3 liters of water per day
Answer: A
Rationale: Daily weights are the most sensitive indicator of fluid volume status. Rapid
weight gain indicates fluid retention, a hallmark of heart failure exacerbation.
7. A patient has a serum sodium level of 128 mEq/L. Which nursing intervention
is a priority?
A. Encourage increased oral water intake
B. Administer 0.45% normal saline IV
C. Initiate seizure precautions
D. Administer a loop diuretic
Answer: C
Rationale: Hyponatremia (sodium < 135 mEq/L) increases the risk of cerebral edema and
seizures. Safety and seizure precautions are the priority.
2026 |WCU
1. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is admitted
with an arterial blood gas (ABG) result of pH 7.31, PaCO2 52 mmHg, and HCO3
26 mEq/L. How should the nurse interpret these results?
A. Metabolic Acidosis
B. Respiratory Acidosis
C. Respiratory Alkalosis
D. Metabolic Alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis, and a PaCO2 above 45 mmHg indicates a
respiratory cause. The bicarbonate (HCO3) is within normal limits, confirming
uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
2. Which assessment finding is the most critical for a nurse to report
immediately in a patient who is 4 hours postoperative following abdominal
surgery?
A. Urine output of 20 mL/hr for two consecutive hours
B. Absence of bowel sounds in all quadrants
C. Serosanguinous drainage on the dressing
D. Pain level of 6/10 at the incision site
Answer: A
Rationale: Urine output below 30 mL/hr is a sign of poor renal perfusion and potentially
hypovolemic shock, requiring immediate intervention. Bowel sounds are often absent
immediately post-op.
,3. The nurse is caring for a patient with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L.
Which cardiac monitor finding should the nurse anticipate?
A. Tall, peaked T waves
B. Prominent U waves
C. Shortened PR interval
D. ST segment depression
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) typically causes tall, peaked T waves,
widened QRS complexes, and eventually cardiac arrest.
4. During the preoperative assessment, a patient reveals an allergy to avocados
and bananas. For which intraoperative complication is this patient at higher
risk?
A. Malignant hyperthermia
B. Latex allergy
C. Anaphylaxis to propofol
D. Lidocaine toxicity
Answer: B
Rationale: Patients with allergies to certain fruits like avocados, bananas, and kiwis have a
high cross-reactivity with latex due to similar proteins.
5. A patient who is NPO for surgery is scheduled for an 08:00 dose of insulin
glargine (Lantus). What is the nurse’s best action?
A. Administer the full dose as prescribed
B. Hold the insulin glargine entirely
C. Give half the dose after checking blood glucose
D. Substitute glargine with a rapid-acting insulin
Answer: A
, Rationale: Insulin glargine is long-acting and provides a basal rate. It typically does not
cause hypoglycemia in NPO patients and is usually continued to maintain metabolic
stability, though the nurse should verify with the surgeon’s orders.
6. The nurse is providing discharge education to a patient with a new diagnosis
of heart failure. Which instruction is most important regarding fluid balance?
A. Weigh yourself daily and report a gain of 3 lbs in 2 days
B. Limit sodium intake to 5 grams per day
C. Increase intake of potassium-rich foods
D. Drink at least 3 liters of water per day
Answer: A
Rationale: Daily weights are the most sensitive indicator of fluid volume status. Rapid
weight gain indicates fluid retention, a hallmark of heart failure exacerbation.
7. A patient has a serum sodium level of 128 mEq/L. Which nursing intervention
is a priority?
A. Encourage increased oral water intake
B. Administer 0.45% normal saline IV
C. Initiate seizure precautions
D. Administer a loop diuretic
Answer: C
Rationale: Hyponatremia (sodium < 135 mEq/L) increases the risk of cerebral edema and
seizures. Safety and seizure precautions are the priority.
