Week 4 Quiz: Introduction to Medical Surgical Nursing Introduction to
Medical Surgical Nursing | Questions & Answers | Grade A | 100%
Correct - WCU
1. Which of the following is considered the most reliable indicator of a patient’s
pain intensity?
A. The patient’s self-report of their pain level
B. Changes in vital signs such as heart rate and blood pressure
C. The nurse’s professional assessment and observation
D. The severity of the injury or surgical procedure
Answer: A
Rationale: The patient’s self-report is the gold standard for pain assessment because pain
is a subjective experience.
2. When assessing a patient for neuropathic pain, which description is the
patient most likely to use?
A. Dull and aching
B. Burning or tingling
C. Sharp and localized
D. Cramping and diffuse
Answer: B
Rationale: Neuropathic pain is often described as burning, tingling, numbing, or shooting,
resulting from nerve damage.
,3. A nurse is caring for a patient receiving PCA (Patient-Controlled Analgesia).
What is the primary benefit of this system?
A. It allows the nurse more time for other tasks
B. It eliminates the risk of opioid overdose
C. It allows family members to manage the patient’s pain
D. It provides better pain control with less total medication
Answer: D
Rationale: PCA allows patients to self-administer small doses of medication, often
resulting in more consistent blood levels and better pain control.
4. The nurse is preparing a patient for surgery. What is the nurse’s primary
responsibility regarding informed consent?
A. To explain the risks and benefits of the procedure
B. To ensure the patient understands the surgical alternatives
C. To decide if the patient is mentally competent for the procedure
D. To witness the patient’s signature and verify understanding
Answer: D
Rationale: The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure; the nurse’s role is to
witness the signature and advocate for the patient if they don’t understand.
5. Which clinical manifestation is an early sign of malignant hyperthermia during
surgery?
A. Hyperthermia (105°F or higher)
B. Muscle rigidity
C. Bradypnea
D. Tachycardia
Answer: D
Rationale: Tachycardia is often the earliest sign of malignant hyperthermia, followed by
muscle rigidity and rising CO2 levels; high temperature is a late sign.
, 6. A patient in the PACU has a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min and is difficult
to arouse. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Naloxone
B. Flumazenil
C. Atropine
D. Epinephrine
Answer: A
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse respiratory depression caused
by opioid medications.
7. Which electrolyte imbalance is a patient at risk for if they have been
experiencing prolonged vomiting?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: A
Rationale: Vomiting results in the loss of gastric acids and potassium, leading to
hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis.
8. A patient presents with Trousseau’s sign and Chvostek’s sign. Which
electrolyte deficiency does the nurse suspect?
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypomagnesemia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Trousseau’s and Chvostek’s signs are classic indicators of neuromuscular
irritability associated with hypocalcemia.
Medical Surgical Nursing | Questions & Answers | Grade A | 100%
Correct - WCU
1. Which of the following is considered the most reliable indicator of a patient’s
pain intensity?
A. The patient’s self-report of their pain level
B. Changes in vital signs such as heart rate and blood pressure
C. The nurse’s professional assessment and observation
D. The severity of the injury or surgical procedure
Answer: A
Rationale: The patient’s self-report is the gold standard for pain assessment because pain
is a subjective experience.
2. When assessing a patient for neuropathic pain, which description is the
patient most likely to use?
A. Dull and aching
B. Burning or tingling
C. Sharp and localized
D. Cramping and diffuse
Answer: B
Rationale: Neuropathic pain is often described as burning, tingling, numbing, or shooting,
resulting from nerve damage.
,3. A nurse is caring for a patient receiving PCA (Patient-Controlled Analgesia).
What is the primary benefit of this system?
A. It allows the nurse more time for other tasks
B. It eliminates the risk of opioid overdose
C. It allows family members to manage the patient’s pain
D. It provides better pain control with less total medication
Answer: D
Rationale: PCA allows patients to self-administer small doses of medication, often
resulting in more consistent blood levels and better pain control.
4. The nurse is preparing a patient for surgery. What is the nurse’s primary
responsibility regarding informed consent?
A. To explain the risks and benefits of the procedure
B. To ensure the patient understands the surgical alternatives
C. To decide if the patient is mentally competent for the procedure
D. To witness the patient’s signature and verify understanding
Answer: D
Rationale: The surgeon is responsible for explaining the procedure; the nurse’s role is to
witness the signature and advocate for the patient if they don’t understand.
5. Which clinical manifestation is an early sign of malignant hyperthermia during
surgery?
A. Hyperthermia (105°F or higher)
B. Muscle rigidity
C. Bradypnea
D. Tachycardia
Answer: D
Rationale: Tachycardia is often the earliest sign of malignant hyperthermia, followed by
muscle rigidity and rising CO2 levels; high temperature is a late sign.
, 6. A patient in the PACU has a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min and is difficult
to arouse. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Naloxone
B. Flumazenil
C. Atropine
D. Epinephrine
Answer: A
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse respiratory depression caused
by opioid medications.
7. Which electrolyte imbalance is a patient at risk for if they have been
experiencing prolonged vomiting?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: A
Rationale: Vomiting results in the loss of gastric acids and potassium, leading to
hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis.
8. A patient presents with Trousseau’s sign and Chvostek’s sign. Which
electrolyte deficiency does the nurse suspect?
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypomagnesemia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Trousseau’s and Chvostek’s signs are classic indicators of neuromuscular
irritability associated with hypocalcemia.
