NSG320 ADULT HEALTH NURSING -
EXAM 1 COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient is scheduled for surgery. The nurse notices the informed consent form is not
signed. What is the nurse’s primary responsibility regarding informed consent?
A. To witness the patient’s signature and ensure they are signing voluntarily.
B. To explain the risks and benefits of the surgical procedure to the patient.
C. To provide details about alternative treatments if the patient refuses surgery.
D. To obtain the signature after the surgeon has finished the procedure.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The nurse’s role is to witness the signature and verify that the
patient is competent and giving consent voluntarily. The surgeon is responsible for
explaining the procedure, risks, and benefits.
,2. During a surgery, the patient develops muscle rigidity and a rapid rise in body temperature.
The nurse suspects malignant hyperthermia. Which medication should be administered
immediately?
A. Atropine
B. Epinephrine
C. Dantrolene sodium
D. Naloxone
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Dantrolene sodium is the specific skeletal muscle relaxant used
to treat malignant hyperthermia by inhibiting calcium release from the sarcoplasmic
reticulum.
3. A postoperative patient is found to have a pH of 7.30, a PaCO2 of 52 mmHg, and an HCO3
of 24 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: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg
indicates a respiratory cause. Since the HCO3 is normal, this is uncompensated respiratory
acidosis, often caused by hypoventilation after surgery.
4. A patient with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L is admitted. Which EKG change should
the nurse monitor for most closely?
A. Prominent U waves
B. ST-segment depression
C. Prolonged PR interval
D. Tall, peaked T waves
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0) causes characteristic tall, peaked T
waves. If left untreated, it can lead to QRS widening and cardiac arrest.
5. When assessing a patient for hypocalcemia, the nurse inflates a blood pressure cuff on the
patient’s arm and observes carpal spasm. This is known as:
A. Chvostek’s sign
B. Homans’ sign
C. Babinski’s sign
D. Trousseau’s sign
Answer: D
EXAM 1 COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient is scheduled for surgery. The nurse notices the informed consent form is not
signed. What is the nurse’s primary responsibility regarding informed consent?
A. To witness the patient’s signature and ensure they are signing voluntarily.
B. To explain the risks and benefits of the surgical procedure to the patient.
C. To provide details about alternative treatments if the patient refuses surgery.
D. To obtain the signature after the surgeon has finished the procedure.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The nurse’s role is to witness the signature and verify that the
patient is competent and giving consent voluntarily. The surgeon is responsible for
explaining the procedure, risks, and benefits.
,2. During a surgery, the patient develops muscle rigidity and a rapid rise in body temperature.
The nurse suspects malignant hyperthermia. Which medication should be administered
immediately?
A. Atropine
B. Epinephrine
C. Dantrolene sodium
D. Naloxone
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Dantrolene sodium is the specific skeletal muscle relaxant used
to treat malignant hyperthermia by inhibiting calcium release from the sarcoplasmic
reticulum.
3. A postoperative patient is found to have a pH of 7.30, a PaCO2 of 52 mmHg, and an HCO3
of 24 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: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 above 45 mmHg
indicates a respiratory cause. Since the HCO3 is normal, this is uncompensated respiratory
acidosis, often caused by hypoventilation after surgery.
4. A patient with a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L is admitted. Which EKG change should
the nurse monitor for most closely?
A. Prominent U waves
B. ST-segment depression
C. Prolonged PR interval
D. Tall, peaked T waves
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0) causes characteristic tall, peaked T
waves. If left untreated, it can lead to QRS widening and cardiac arrest.
5. When assessing a patient for hypocalcemia, the nurse inflates a blood pressure cuff on the
patient’s arm and observes carpal spasm. This is known as:
A. Chvostek’s sign
B. Homans’ sign
C. Babinski’s sign
D. Trousseau’s sign
Answer: D
