NURS 120 MEDICAL-SURGICAL
NURSING EXAM 3 STUDY GUIDE 2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient exhibits a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which EKG finding is most
characteristic of this condition?
A. Prominent U waves
B. ST-segment depression
C. Tall, peaked T waves
D. Shortened PR interval
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) typically manifests as
tall, peaked T waves and a widened QRS complex on an EKG.
2. Which ABG result is consistent with a patient experiencing a severe asthma attack with
respiratory failure?
A. pH 7.35, PaCO2 40, HCO3 28
B. pH 7.48, PaCO2 30, HCO3 22
C. pH 7.30, PaCO2 50, HCO3 24
,D. pH 7.50, PaCO2 40, HCO3 30
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Respiratory acidosis (low pH, high PaCO2) occurs during
respiratory failure as the patient fails to ventilate and CO2 builds up.
3. What is the primary mechanism of action for Lovenox (Enoxaparin) when administered
post-operatively?
A. Dissolving existing arterial clots
B. Potentiating the inhibitory effect of antithrombin III
C. Increasing platelet count
D. Blocking Vitamin K synthesis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Enoxaparin is a low-molecular-weight heparin that accelerates
the activity of antithrombin III, preventing the formation of fibrin and thrombin.
4. A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen at 2L/min via nasal cannula. Which physiological
drive is most critical for their ventilation?
A. Hypercapnic drive
B. Baroreceptor reflex
C. Osmoreceptor stimulation
D. Hypoxic drive
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Patients with chronic CO2 retention (COPD) may rely on low
oxygen levels (hypoxic drive) to stimulate breathing rather than high CO2 levels.
5. Which medication is considered the ‘gold standard’ for treating Malignant Hyperthermia
during surgery?
A. Succinylcholine
B. Atropine
C. Epinephrine
D. Dantrolene Sodium
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Dantrolene is a skeletal muscle relaxant that inhibits calcium
release, effectively treating the hypermetabolic crisis of Malignant Hyperthermia.
6. In the preoperative setting, whose primary responsibility is it to obtain informed consent?
A. The circulating nurse
B. The surgeon
C. The scrub technician
D. The anesthesiologist
Answer: B
NURSING EXAM 3 STUDY GUIDE 2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient exhibits a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which EKG finding is most
characteristic of this condition?
A. Prominent U waves
B. ST-segment depression
C. Tall, peaked T waves
D. Shortened PR interval
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia (potassium > 5.0 mEq/L) typically manifests as
tall, peaked T waves and a widened QRS complex on an EKG.
2. Which ABG result is consistent with a patient experiencing a severe asthma attack with
respiratory failure?
A. pH 7.35, PaCO2 40, HCO3 28
B. pH 7.48, PaCO2 30, HCO3 22
C. pH 7.30, PaCO2 50, HCO3 24
,D. pH 7.50, PaCO2 40, HCO3 30
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Respiratory acidosis (low pH, high PaCO2) occurs during
respiratory failure as the patient fails to ventilate and CO2 builds up.
3. What is the primary mechanism of action for Lovenox (Enoxaparin) when administered
post-operatively?
A. Dissolving existing arterial clots
B. Potentiating the inhibitory effect of antithrombin III
C. Increasing platelet count
D. Blocking Vitamin K synthesis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Enoxaparin is a low-molecular-weight heparin that accelerates
the activity of antithrombin III, preventing the formation of fibrin and thrombin.
4. A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen at 2L/min via nasal cannula. Which physiological
drive is most critical for their ventilation?
A. Hypercapnic drive
B. Baroreceptor reflex
C. Osmoreceptor stimulation
D. Hypoxic drive
, Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Patients with chronic CO2 retention (COPD) may rely on low
oxygen levels (hypoxic drive) to stimulate breathing rather than high CO2 levels.
5. Which medication is considered the ‘gold standard’ for treating Malignant Hyperthermia
during surgery?
A. Succinylcholine
B. Atropine
C. Epinephrine
D. Dantrolene Sodium
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Dantrolene is a skeletal muscle relaxant that inhibits calcium
release, effectively treating the hypermetabolic crisis of Malignant Hyperthermia.
6. In the preoperative setting, whose primary responsibility is it to obtain informed consent?
A. The circulating nurse
B. The surgeon
C. The scrub technician
D. The anesthesiologist
Answer: B
