NURS 120 Introduction to Medical Surgical Nursing - Week 3 Quiz
2026 – WCU
1. Which member of the surgical team is responsible for obtaining the patient’s
informed consent?
A. The Registered Nurse
B. The Anesthesiologist
C. The Scrub Technician
D. The Surgeon
Answer: D
Rationale: The surgeon is legally responsible for providing the explanation of the
procedure and obtaining the informed consent. The nurse may witness the signature.
2. A post-operative patient is experiencing dehiscence of a surgical wound.
What is the priority nursing action?
A. Apply a sterile saline-soaked dressing
B. Position the patient in semi-Fowler’s with knees bent
C. Check the patient’s vital signs
D. Notify the surgeon immediately
Answer: B
Rationale: While all actions are important, positioning the patient to reduce tension on the
wound is the first step to prevent further separation or evisceration.
,3. What is the most reliable indicator of a patient’s pain level?
A. Changes in heart rate and blood pressure
B. Non-verbal cues like grimacing
C. The patient’s self-report
D. The severity of the injury or surgical site
Answer: C
Rationale: Pain is a subjective experience, and the patient’s self-report is the gold standard
for assessment.
4. Which of the following is an early sign of hypoxia in a post-operative patient?
A. Restlessness and agitation
B. Bradycardia
C. Cyanosis
D. Bradypnea
Answer: A
Rationale: Restlessness, agitation, and confusion are early signs of oxygen deprivation,
whereas cyanosis is a late sign.
5. In the PACU, what is the priority assessment for a patient who just arrived
from the OR?
A. Surgical site drainage
B. Airway patency
C. Urine output
D. Pain level
Answer: B
Rationale: Airway management is always the first priority in the immediate post-operative
period (ABC priority).
, 6. A patient has a serum potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which cardiac finding
should the nurse anticipate?
A. Flattened T waves and U waves
B. Peaked T waves
C. Shortened QT interval
D. Wide QRS complex
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypokalemia (low potassium) often causes flattened T waves and the
appearance of U waves on an ECG.
7. Which ethical principle involves the nurse’s obligation to do good and act in
the best interest of the patient?
A. Autonomy
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Justice
D. Beneficence
Answer: D
Rationale: Beneficence refers to the duty to do good and promote the well-being of others.
8. A patient is scheduled for surgery and reports taking ginkgo biloba. Why is
this a concern for the surgical team?
A. It causes severe hypertension
B. It increases the risk of bleeding
C. It causes liver toxicity
D. It interferes with anesthesia metabolism
Answer: B
Rationale: Ginkgo biloba is an herbal supplement known to increase the risk of bleeding
by inhibiting platelet aggregation.
2026 – WCU
1. Which member of the surgical team is responsible for obtaining the patient’s
informed consent?
A. The Registered Nurse
B. The Anesthesiologist
C. The Scrub Technician
D. The Surgeon
Answer: D
Rationale: The surgeon is legally responsible for providing the explanation of the
procedure and obtaining the informed consent. The nurse may witness the signature.
2. A post-operative patient is experiencing dehiscence of a surgical wound.
What is the priority nursing action?
A. Apply a sterile saline-soaked dressing
B. Position the patient in semi-Fowler’s with knees bent
C. Check the patient’s vital signs
D. Notify the surgeon immediately
Answer: B
Rationale: While all actions are important, positioning the patient to reduce tension on the
wound is the first step to prevent further separation or evisceration.
,3. What is the most reliable indicator of a patient’s pain level?
A. Changes in heart rate and blood pressure
B. Non-verbal cues like grimacing
C. The patient’s self-report
D. The severity of the injury or surgical site
Answer: C
Rationale: Pain is a subjective experience, and the patient’s self-report is the gold standard
for assessment.
4. Which of the following is an early sign of hypoxia in a post-operative patient?
A. Restlessness and agitation
B. Bradycardia
C. Cyanosis
D. Bradypnea
Answer: A
Rationale: Restlessness, agitation, and confusion are early signs of oxygen deprivation,
whereas cyanosis is a late sign.
5. In the PACU, what is the priority assessment for a patient who just arrived
from the OR?
A. Surgical site drainage
B. Airway patency
C. Urine output
D. Pain level
Answer: B
Rationale: Airway management is always the first priority in the immediate post-operative
period (ABC priority).
, 6. A patient has a serum potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which cardiac finding
should the nurse anticipate?
A. Flattened T waves and U waves
B. Peaked T waves
C. Shortened QT interval
D. Wide QRS complex
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypokalemia (low potassium) often causes flattened T waves and the
appearance of U waves on an ECG.
7. Which ethical principle involves the nurse’s obligation to do good and act in
the best interest of the patient?
A. Autonomy
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Justice
D. Beneficence
Answer: D
Rationale: Beneficence refers to the duty to do good and promote the well-being of others.
8. A patient is scheduled for surgery and reports taking ginkgo biloba. Why is
this a concern for the surgical team?
A. It causes severe hypertension
B. It increases the risk of bleeding
C. It causes liver toxicity
D. It interferes with anesthesia metabolism
Answer: B
Rationale: Ginkgo biloba is an herbal supplement known to increase the risk of bleeding
by inhibiting platelet aggregation.
