NUR 242 EXAM 1 - MEDICAL-SURGICAL
NURSING MASTERY QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS 100% GUARANTEE PASS
1. A patient is admitted with a serum sodium level of 122 mEq/L. Which nursing intervention
is the priority for this patient?
A. Encouraging increased oral water intake
B. Administering hypotonic IV fluids
C. Implementing seizure precautions
D. Monitoring for signs of hyperkalemia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A serum sodium of 122 mEq/L indicates severe hyponatremia,
which puts the patient at high risk for cerebral edema and seizures. Safety through seizure
precautions is the priority.
2. Which clinical manifestation would the nurse expect to find in a patient experiencing
respiratory acidosis?
A. Hypoventilation and confusion
B. Hyperreflexia and tingling of fingers
,C. Kussmaul respirations and fruity breath
D. Paresthesia and muscle cramps
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Respiratory acidosis is characterized by CO2 retention. Clinical
signs include hypoventilation (the cause), confusion, lethargy, and headache due to
cerebral vasodilation.
3. During the preoperative assessment, a patient reports an allergy to bananas and avocados.
Which action should the nurse take next?
A. Notify the surgeon to postpone the surgery
B. Document the allergy and alert the surgical team to a potential latex allergy
C. Ask the patient if they also have an allergy to iodine
D. Explain that food allergies are irrelevant to surgical outcomes
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Certain food allergies, such as bananas, avocados, kiwis, and
chestnuts, are highly cross-reactive with latex. This must be treated as a potential latex
allergy in the OR.
4. A postoperative patient has an Evisceration of the surgical wound. What is the nurse’s
immediate priority action?
A. Cover the wound with a sterile gauze soaked in normal saline
, B. Apply a dry sterile dressing tightly over the wound
C. Push the protruding organs back into the abdominal cavity
D. Place the patient in a high-Fowler’s position
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Evisceration is a medical emergency. The nurse must protect the
exposed organs by covering them with sterile, saline-soaked dressings to keep them moist
while awaiting surgery.
5. Which electrocardiogram (ECG) change is most characteristic of hypokalemia?
A. Tall, peaked T waves
B. Widened QRS complex
C. Shortened QT interval
D. Presence of U waves
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia typically causes flattened T waves, ST-segment
depression, and the appearance of U waves on an ECG.
6. A patient with metabolic alkalosis is most likely to exhibit which of the following Arterial
Blood Gas (ABG) values?
A. pH 7.30, PaCO2 50, HCO3 24
B. pH 7.48, PaCO2 25, HCO3 22
NURSING MASTERY QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS 100% GUARANTEE PASS
1. A patient is admitted with a serum sodium level of 122 mEq/L. Which nursing intervention
is the priority for this patient?
A. Encouraging increased oral water intake
B. Administering hypotonic IV fluids
C. Implementing seizure precautions
D. Monitoring for signs of hyperkalemia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A serum sodium of 122 mEq/L indicates severe hyponatremia,
which puts the patient at high risk for cerebral edema and seizures. Safety through seizure
precautions is the priority.
2. Which clinical manifestation would the nurse expect to find in a patient experiencing
respiratory acidosis?
A. Hypoventilation and confusion
B. Hyperreflexia and tingling of fingers
,C. Kussmaul respirations and fruity breath
D. Paresthesia and muscle cramps
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Respiratory acidosis is characterized by CO2 retention. Clinical
signs include hypoventilation (the cause), confusion, lethargy, and headache due to
cerebral vasodilation.
3. During the preoperative assessment, a patient reports an allergy to bananas and avocados.
Which action should the nurse take next?
A. Notify the surgeon to postpone the surgery
B. Document the allergy and alert the surgical team to a potential latex allergy
C. Ask the patient if they also have an allergy to iodine
D. Explain that food allergies are irrelevant to surgical outcomes
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Certain food allergies, such as bananas, avocados, kiwis, and
chestnuts, are highly cross-reactive with latex. This must be treated as a potential latex
allergy in the OR.
4. A postoperative patient has an Evisceration of the surgical wound. What is the nurse’s
immediate priority action?
A. Cover the wound with a sterile gauze soaked in normal saline
, B. Apply a dry sterile dressing tightly over the wound
C. Push the protruding organs back into the abdominal cavity
D. Place the patient in a high-Fowler’s position
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Evisceration is a medical emergency. The nurse must protect the
exposed organs by covering them with sterile, saline-soaked dressings to keep them moist
while awaiting surgery.
5. Which electrocardiogram (ECG) change is most characteristic of hypokalemia?
A. Tall, peaked T waves
B. Widened QRS complex
C. Shortened QT interval
D. Presence of U waves
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia typically causes flattened T waves, ST-segment
depression, and the appearance of U waves on an ECG.
6. A patient with metabolic alkalosis is most likely to exhibit which of the following Arterial
Blood Gas (ABG) values?
A. pH 7.30, PaCO2 50, HCO3 24
B. pH 7.48, PaCO2 25, HCO3 22
