NURS 120 Assessment 2 – Medical Surgical Nursing 2026 U… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NURS 120 Assessment 2 – Medical Surgical Nursing
2026 UPDATE
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,NURS 120 Assessment 2 – Medical Surgical Nursing 2026 U… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. Who is ultimately responsible for explaining a surgical procedure and obtaining informed
consent from a patient?
A. The charge nurse
B. The circulating nurse
C. The anesthesiologist
D. The surgeon
Answer: D
Rationale: While nurses may witness the signature, the surgeon is legally responsible for explaining the risks,
benefits, and alternatives to the patient. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct
answer (D) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate
patient education.
2. A patient exhibits a positive Chvostek’s sign. Which electrolyte imbalance should the nurse
suspect?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Answer: A
Rationale: Chvostek’s sign (facial twitching when the facial nerve is tapped) is a classic sign of hypocalcemia
or hypomagnesemia. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and
improves patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (A)
requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
3. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) result is consistent with a diagnosis of respiratory acidosis?
A. pH 7.48, PaCO2 30 mmHg
B. pH 7.32, PaCO2 52 mmHg
C. pH 7.30, HCO3 18 mEq/L
D. pH 7.50, HCO3 30 mEq/L
Answer: B
Rationale: Respiratory acidosis is characterized by a low pH (<7.35) and an elevated PaCO2 (>45 mmHg).
This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (B) requires understanding both the
pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize
care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, NURS 120 Assessment 2 – Medical Surgical Nursing 2026 U… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. A postoperative patient reports sudden chest pain and dyspnea. Which complication should
the nurse prioritize?
A. Atelectasis
B. Pneumonia
C. Deep vein thrombosis
D. Pulmonary embolism
Answer: D
Rationale: Sudden chest pain and shortness of breath are hallmark signs of a pulmonary embolism, a
life-threatening postoperative complication. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from
closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical
settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
5. What is the most effective nursing intervention to prevent postoperative atelectasis?
A. Administering prophylactic antibiotics
B. Applying sequential compression devices
C. Assisting the patient with incentive spirometry
D. Maintaining a strict NPO status
Answer: C
Rationale: Incentive spirometry encourages deep breathing, which helps expand alveoli and prevents lung
collapse (atelectasis). This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (C) requires
understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications. Recognizing this principle
allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
6. A patient’s serum potassium level is 6.2 mEq/L. Which medication should the nurse
anticipate administering?
A. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
B. Potassium chloride
C. Spironolactone
D. Lisinopril
Answer: A
Rationale: Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate) is used to treat hyperkalemia by exchanging sodium for
potassium ions in the intestine. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely
related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings
supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NURS 120 Assessment 2 – Medical Surgical Nursing
2026 UPDATE
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,NURS 120 Assessment 2 – Medical Surgical Nursing 2026 U… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. Who is ultimately responsible for explaining a surgical procedure and obtaining informed
consent from a patient?
A. The charge nurse
B. The circulating nurse
C. The anesthesiologist
D. The surgeon
Answer: D
Rationale: While nurses may witness the signature, the surgeon is legally responsible for explaining the risks,
benefits, and alternatives to the patient. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct
answer (D) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate
patient education.
2. A patient exhibits a positive Chvostek’s sign. Which electrolyte imbalance should the nurse
suspect?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Answer: A
Rationale: Chvostek’s sign (facial twitching when the facial nerve is tapped) is a classic sign of hypocalcemia
or hypomagnesemia. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and
improves patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (A)
requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
3. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) result is consistent with a diagnosis of respiratory acidosis?
A. pH 7.48, PaCO2 30 mmHg
B. pH 7.32, PaCO2 52 mmHg
C. pH 7.30, HCO3 18 mEq/L
D. pH 7.50, HCO3 30 mEq/L
Answer: B
Rationale: Respiratory acidosis is characterized by a low pH (<7.35) and an elevated PaCO2 (>45 mmHg).
This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (B) requires understanding both the
pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize
care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, NURS 120 Assessment 2 – Medical Surgical Nursing 2026 U… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. A postoperative patient reports sudden chest pain and dyspnea. Which complication should
the nurse prioritize?
A. Atelectasis
B. Pneumonia
C. Deep vein thrombosis
D. Pulmonary embolism
Answer: D
Rationale: Sudden chest pain and shortness of breath are hallmark signs of a pulmonary embolism, a
life-threatening postoperative complication. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from
closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical
settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
5. What is the most effective nursing intervention to prevent postoperative atelectasis?
A. Administering prophylactic antibiotics
B. Applying sequential compression devices
C. Assisting the patient with incentive spirometry
D. Maintaining a strict NPO status
Answer: C
Rationale: Incentive spirometry encourages deep breathing, which helps expand alveoli and prevents lung
collapse (atelectasis). This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (C) requires
understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications. Recognizing this principle
allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
6. A patient’s serum potassium level is 6.2 mEq/L. Which medication should the nurse
anticipate administering?
A. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
B. Potassium chloride
C. Spironolactone
D. Lisinopril
Answer: A
Rationale: Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate) is used to treat hyperkalemia by exchanging sodium for
potassium ions in the intestine. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely
related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings
supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
