NURS 120: Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing - Week 3
Comprehensive Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A preoperative nurse is reviewing the chart of a patient scheduled for
surgery. Which finding most indicates a need to notify the surgeon
immediately?
A. The patient reports a history of mild asthma managed by a rescue inhaler.
B. The patient’s serum potassium level is 3.2 mEq/L.
C. The patient expresses anxiety about the postoperative recovery process.
D. The patient ate a light breakfast 8 hours before the scheduled surgery.
Answer: B
Rationale: A potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia, which increases the risk
of cardiac arrhythmias during anesthesia. This must be corrected before surgery.
2. During a ‘Time-Out’ in the operating room, which action is mandatory for all
members of the surgical team?
A. Active participation in verifying the patient, site, and procedure.
B. Documenting the start time of the incision.
C. Assisting the anesthesiologist with intubation.
D. Ensuring all surgical counts are completed before the pause.
Answer: A
Rationale: The Universal Protocol requires a ‘Time-Out’ where all team members stop and
verify the correct patient, correct site, and correct procedure to prevent surgical errors.
,3. A patient in the PACU is difficult to arouse and has a respiratory rate of 8
breaths per minute. Which medication should the nurse anticipate
administering?
A. Atropine
B. Flumazenil
C. Albuterol
D. Naloxone
Answer: D
Rationale: Naloxone is the reversal agent for opioid-induced respiratory depression, which
is a common postoperative complication.
4. Which clinical manifestation would the nurse expect to see in a patient
experiencing Malignant Hyperthermia?
A. Bradycardia and hypotension
B. Muscle flaccidity and hypothermia
C. Jaw rigidity and rapid rise in body temperature
D. Increased urine output and respiratory alkalosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Malignant hyperthermia is a life-threatening reaction to certain anesthetics,
characterized by muscle rigidity (often starting in the jaw), tachycardia, and extreme
hyperthermia.
, 5. A patient with a large abdominal incision reports a ‘popping’ sensation after
coughing, followed by a sudden discharge of serosanguineous fluid. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
A. Apply a tight abdominal binder to support the incision.
B. Notify the surgeon and prepare the patient for immediate discharge.
C. Instruct the patient to remain still and cover the area with sterile, saline-soaked dressings.
D. Clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide and apply a dry gauze.
Answer: C
Rationale: This scenario suggests wound dehiscence or evisceration. The priority is to
protect the exposed organs or tissue by covering them with sterile saline-soaked dressings
and keeping the patient still.
6. An older adult patient is 2 days post-op from a hip replacement. The nurse
notes new-onset confusion and restlessness. Which should the nurse assess for
first?
A. Signs of a urinary tract infection.
B. The time the last dose of pain medication was administered.
C. Oxygen saturation levels via pulse oximetry.
D. Blood glucose levels.
Answer: C
Rationale: In older adults, confusion is often a first sign of hypoxia. Assessing oxygenation
is the priority to rule out pulmonary embolism or pneumonia.
7. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of hypocalcemia?
A. Shortened QT interval on ECG
B. Diminished deep tendon reflexes
C. Constipation and muscle weakness
D. Positive Trousseau’s sign
Answer: D
Comprehensive Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A preoperative nurse is reviewing the chart of a patient scheduled for
surgery. Which finding most indicates a need to notify the surgeon
immediately?
A. The patient reports a history of mild asthma managed by a rescue inhaler.
B. The patient’s serum potassium level is 3.2 mEq/L.
C. The patient expresses anxiety about the postoperative recovery process.
D. The patient ate a light breakfast 8 hours before the scheduled surgery.
Answer: B
Rationale: A potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia, which increases the risk
of cardiac arrhythmias during anesthesia. This must be corrected before surgery.
2. During a ‘Time-Out’ in the operating room, which action is mandatory for all
members of the surgical team?
A. Active participation in verifying the patient, site, and procedure.
B. Documenting the start time of the incision.
C. Assisting the anesthesiologist with intubation.
D. Ensuring all surgical counts are completed before the pause.
Answer: A
Rationale: The Universal Protocol requires a ‘Time-Out’ where all team members stop and
verify the correct patient, correct site, and correct procedure to prevent surgical errors.
,3. A patient in the PACU is difficult to arouse and has a respiratory rate of 8
breaths per minute. Which medication should the nurse anticipate
administering?
A. Atropine
B. Flumazenil
C. Albuterol
D. Naloxone
Answer: D
Rationale: Naloxone is the reversal agent for opioid-induced respiratory depression, which
is a common postoperative complication.
4. Which clinical manifestation would the nurse expect to see in a patient
experiencing Malignant Hyperthermia?
A. Bradycardia and hypotension
B. Muscle flaccidity and hypothermia
C. Jaw rigidity and rapid rise in body temperature
D. Increased urine output and respiratory alkalosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Malignant hyperthermia is a life-threatening reaction to certain anesthetics,
characterized by muscle rigidity (often starting in the jaw), tachycardia, and extreme
hyperthermia.
, 5. A patient with a large abdominal incision reports a ‘popping’ sensation after
coughing, followed by a sudden discharge of serosanguineous fluid. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
A. Apply a tight abdominal binder to support the incision.
B. Notify the surgeon and prepare the patient for immediate discharge.
C. Instruct the patient to remain still and cover the area with sterile, saline-soaked dressings.
D. Clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide and apply a dry gauze.
Answer: C
Rationale: This scenario suggests wound dehiscence or evisceration. The priority is to
protect the exposed organs or tissue by covering them with sterile saline-soaked dressings
and keeping the patient still.
6. An older adult patient is 2 days post-op from a hip replacement. The nurse
notes new-onset confusion and restlessness. Which should the nurse assess for
first?
A. Signs of a urinary tract infection.
B. The time the last dose of pain medication was administered.
C. Oxygen saturation levels via pulse oximetry.
D. Blood glucose levels.
Answer: C
Rationale: In older adults, confusion is often a first sign of hypoxia. Assessing oxygenation
is the priority to rule out pulmonary embolism or pneumonia.
7. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of hypocalcemia?
A. Shortened QT interval on ECG
B. Diminished deep tendon reflexes
C. Constipation and muscle weakness
D. Positive Trousseau’s sign
Answer: D
