NURS 120 | INTRODUCTION TO
MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING | EXAM
3 2026 | WCU
1. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 55 mm Hg, and HCO3 26
mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance is the patient experiencing?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is low (acidosis), and the PaCO2 is high (respiratory
component), indicating respiratory acidosis. The HCO3 is within normal range, suggesting
no compensation yet.
2. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of a patient with hypocalcemia?
A. Constipation
B. Depressed deep tendon reflexes
C. Positive Trousseau’s sign
,D. Polyuria
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability, leading to
signs like Trousseau’s (carpal spasm with BP cuff) and Chvostek’s sign. The other options
are more common in hypercalcemia.
3. A patient is scheduled for surgery. Who is legally responsible for obtaining informed
consent?
A. The circulating nurse
B. The nurse anesthetist
C. The surgeon
D. The charge nurse
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: It is the surgeon’s legal responsibility to explain the procedure,
risks, and benefits. The nurse’s role is to witness the signature and ensure the patient is
competent to sign.
4. During the intraoperative phase, which medication is the gold standard for treating
malignant hyperthermia?
A. Dantrolene sodium
B. Atropine sulfate
, C. Epinephrine
D. Succinylcholine
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Dantrolene is a skeletal muscle relaxant that specifically treats
the calcium release malfunction in malignant hyperthermia.
5. A patient post-thyroidectomy develops tingling around the mouth and fingertips. Which
electrolyte imbalance should the nurse suspect?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Accidental removal or damage to the parathyroid glands during
thyroid surgery leads to hypocalcemia, causing circumoral paresthesia and tetany.
6. Which intravenous fluid is considered isotonic and commonly used for volume expansion?
A. 0.45% Normal Saline
B. 3% Normal Saline
C. 10% Dextrose in Water
MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING | EXAM
3 2026 | WCU
1. A patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results are: pH 7.30, PaCO2 55 mm Hg, and HCO3 26
mEq/L. Which acid-base imbalance is the patient experiencing?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is low (acidosis), and the PaCO2 is high (respiratory
component), indicating respiratory acidosis. The HCO3 is within normal range, suggesting
no compensation yet.
2. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of a patient with hypocalcemia?
A. Constipation
B. Depressed deep tendon reflexes
C. Positive Trousseau’s sign
,D. Polyuria
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular excitability, leading to
signs like Trousseau’s (carpal spasm with BP cuff) and Chvostek’s sign. The other options
are more common in hypercalcemia.
3. A patient is scheduled for surgery. Who is legally responsible for obtaining informed
consent?
A. The circulating nurse
B. The nurse anesthetist
C. The surgeon
D. The charge nurse
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: It is the surgeon’s legal responsibility to explain the procedure,
risks, and benefits. The nurse’s role is to witness the signature and ensure the patient is
competent to sign.
4. During the intraoperative phase, which medication is the gold standard for treating
malignant hyperthermia?
A. Dantrolene sodium
B. Atropine sulfate
, C. Epinephrine
D. Succinylcholine
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Dantrolene is a skeletal muscle relaxant that specifically treats
the calcium release malfunction in malignant hyperthermia.
5. A patient post-thyroidectomy develops tingling around the mouth and fingertips. Which
electrolyte imbalance should the nurse suspect?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Accidental removal or damage to the parathyroid glands during
thyroid surgery leads to hypocalcemia, causing circumoral paresthesia and tetany.
6. Which intravenous fluid is considered isotonic and commonly used for volume expansion?
A. 0.45% Normal Saline
B. 3% Normal Saline
C. 10% Dextrose in Water
