Week 2 Quiz: Introduction to Medical Surgical Nursing Introduction to
Medical Surgical Nursing | Questions & Answers | Grade A | 100%
Correct - WCU
1. Which of the following is the primary priority for a nurse when a patient is
admitted to the PACU?
A. Assessing for surgical site drainage
B. Ensuring airway patency and adequate ventilation
C. Managing postoperative pain
D. Checking the patient’s identity
Answer: B
Rationale: The highest priority in the immediate postoperative period is the ABCs (Airway,
Breathing, Circulation), with airway patency being the most critical.
2. Which laboratory result would be most concerning for a nurse to report to
the surgeon preoperatively?
A. Serum potassium 2.9 mEq/L
B. Hemoglobin 12.5 g/dL
C. White blood cell count 9,000/mm3
D. Blood glucose 115 mg/dL
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypokalemia (low potassium) increases the risk for cardiac dysrhythmias
during anesthesia and must be addressed before surgery.
,3. A patient is scheduled for surgery and has signed the consent form, but now
states, ‘I’m not sure what they are doing.’ What is the nurse’s best action?
A. Re-explain the procedure to the patient
B. Tell the patient not to worry because the surgeon is excellent
C. Notify the surgeon that the patient needs further explanation
D. Continue with preoperative medications as scheduled
Answer: C
Rationale: While nurses witness the signature, the surgeon is responsible for providing the
explanation of the procedure. If the patient is confused, the surgeon must be notified to
provide further informed consent.
4. Which clinical manifestation is an early sign of malignant hyperthermia during
surgery?
A. Hyperthermia (105F)
B. Muscle rigidity and tachycardia
C. Bradypnea
D. Hypotension
Answer: B
Rationale: Muscle rigidity and tachycardia are early signs of malignant hyperthermia.
Fever is often a late sign of this life-threatening condition.
5. To prevent postoperative pulmonary complications such as atelectasis, the
nurse should encourage which intervention?
A. Restrict fluid intake
B. Administering cough suppressants
C. Maintaining the patient in a supine position
D. Incentive spirometry every 1-2 hours while awake
Answer: D
, Rationale: Incentive spirometry helps expand the lungs and prevent alveolar collapse
(atelectasis) and pneumonia.
6. A patient with a large abdominal incision is at risk for wound evisceration.
What should the nurse do if this occurs?
A. Push the organs back into the abdominal cavity
B. Cover the protruding organs with sterile gauze soaked in sterile normal saline
C. Apply a tight abdominal binder immediately
D. Leave the wound open to air to prevent infection
Answer: B
Rationale: Evisceration is a medical emergency. The nurse should cover the site with
sterile, saline-soaked dressings and notify the surgeon immediately.
7. Which assessment finding is most indicative of hypovolemic shock in a
postoperative patient?
A. Increased urine output and bradycardia
B. Bounding pulses and hypertension
C. Warm, flushed skin
D. Tachycardia and decreased blood pressure
Answer: D
Rationale: In hypovolemic shock, the heart rate increases to compensate for low volume,
and blood pressure drops as compensation fails.
8. The nurse is preparing to administer a preoperative medication. What is the
priority action before administration?
A. Check the patient’s apical pulse
B. Ask the patient to void
C. Assess the surgical site
D. Confirm the patient’s insurance information
Answer: B
Medical Surgical Nursing | Questions & Answers | Grade A | 100%
Correct - WCU
1. Which of the following is the primary priority for a nurse when a patient is
admitted to the PACU?
A. Assessing for surgical site drainage
B. Ensuring airway patency and adequate ventilation
C. Managing postoperative pain
D. Checking the patient’s identity
Answer: B
Rationale: The highest priority in the immediate postoperative period is the ABCs (Airway,
Breathing, Circulation), with airway patency being the most critical.
2. Which laboratory result would be most concerning for a nurse to report to
the surgeon preoperatively?
A. Serum potassium 2.9 mEq/L
B. Hemoglobin 12.5 g/dL
C. White blood cell count 9,000/mm3
D. Blood glucose 115 mg/dL
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypokalemia (low potassium) increases the risk for cardiac dysrhythmias
during anesthesia and must be addressed before surgery.
,3. A patient is scheduled for surgery and has signed the consent form, but now
states, ‘I’m not sure what they are doing.’ What is the nurse’s best action?
A. Re-explain the procedure to the patient
B. Tell the patient not to worry because the surgeon is excellent
C. Notify the surgeon that the patient needs further explanation
D. Continue with preoperative medications as scheduled
Answer: C
Rationale: While nurses witness the signature, the surgeon is responsible for providing the
explanation of the procedure. If the patient is confused, the surgeon must be notified to
provide further informed consent.
4. Which clinical manifestation is an early sign of malignant hyperthermia during
surgery?
A. Hyperthermia (105F)
B. Muscle rigidity and tachycardia
C. Bradypnea
D. Hypotension
Answer: B
Rationale: Muscle rigidity and tachycardia are early signs of malignant hyperthermia.
Fever is often a late sign of this life-threatening condition.
5. To prevent postoperative pulmonary complications such as atelectasis, the
nurse should encourage which intervention?
A. Restrict fluid intake
B. Administering cough suppressants
C. Maintaining the patient in a supine position
D. Incentive spirometry every 1-2 hours while awake
Answer: D
, Rationale: Incentive spirometry helps expand the lungs and prevent alveolar collapse
(atelectasis) and pneumonia.
6. A patient with a large abdominal incision is at risk for wound evisceration.
What should the nurse do if this occurs?
A. Push the organs back into the abdominal cavity
B. Cover the protruding organs with sterile gauze soaked in sterile normal saline
C. Apply a tight abdominal binder immediately
D. Leave the wound open to air to prevent infection
Answer: B
Rationale: Evisceration is a medical emergency. The nurse should cover the site with
sterile, saline-soaked dressings and notify the surgeon immediately.
7. Which assessment finding is most indicative of hypovolemic shock in a
postoperative patient?
A. Increased urine output and bradycardia
B. Bounding pulses and hypertension
C. Warm, flushed skin
D. Tachycardia and decreased blood pressure
Answer: D
Rationale: In hypovolemic shock, the heart rate increases to compensate for low volume,
and blood pressure drops as compensation fails.
8. The nurse is preparing to administer a preoperative medication. What is the
priority action before administration?
A. Check the patient’s apical pulse
B. Ask the patient to void
C. Assess the surgical site
D. Confirm the patient’s insurance information
Answer: B
