Deck 48: Musculoskeletal or Articular Dysfunction

Question 1

An appropriate nursing intervention when caring for a child in traction is to:

A)Remove adhesive traction straps daily to prevent skin breakdown.
B)Assess for tightness, weakness, or contractures in uninvolved joints and muscles.
C)Provide active range-of-motion exercises to affected extremity 3 times a day.
D)Keep child in one position to maintain good alignment.

Answer 1

Assess for tightness, weakness, or contractures in uninvolved joints and muscles.

Question 2

A child is upset because,when the cast is removed from her leg,the skin surface is caked with desquamated skin and sebaceous secretions.What should the nurse suggest to remove this material?

A)Soak in a bathtub.
B)Vigorously scrub the leg.
C)Apply powder to absorb material.
D)Carefully pick material off of the leg.

Answer 2

Soak in a bathtub.

Question 3

The nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child immobilized by a fractured hip.Which complications should the nurse monitor?

A)Hypocalcemia
B)Decreased metabolic rate
C)Positive nitrogen balance
D)Increased production of stress hormones

Answer 3

Decreased metabolic rate

Question 4

The nurse is teaching the parents of a 7-year-old child who has just had a cast applied for a fractured arm with the wrist and elbow immobilized.Which instructions should be included in the teaching?

A)Swelling of the fingers is to be expected for the next 48 hours.
B)Immobilize the shoulder to decrease pain in the arm.
C)Allow the affected limb to hang down for 1 hour each day.
D)Elevate casted arm when resting and when sitting up.

Question 5

A young girl has just injured her ankle at school.In addition to calling the child's parents,the most appropriate immediate action by the school nurse is to:

A)Apply ice.
B)Observe for edema and discoloration.
C)Encourage child to assume a comfortable position.
D)Obtain parental permission for administration of acetaminophen or aspirin.

Question 6

Osteosarcoma is the most common bone cancer in children.Where are most of the primary tumor sites?

A)Femur
B)Humerus
C)Pelvis
D)Tibia

Question 7

What is most descriptive of the therapeutic management of osteosarcoma?

A)Treatment usually consists of surgery and chemotherapy.
B)Amputation of the affected extremity is rarely necessary.
C)Intensive irradiation is the primary treatment.
D)Bone marrow transplantation offers the best chance of long-term survival.

Question 8

Which term is used to describe an abnormally increased convex angulation in the curvature of the thoracic spine?

A)Scoliosis
B)Ankylosis
C)Lordosis
D)Kyphosis

Question 9

When does idiopathic scoliosis become most noticeable?

A)Newborn period
B)When child starts to walk
C)During preadolescent growth spurt
D)Adolescence

Question 10

Which term is used to describe a type of fracture that does not produce a break in the skin?

A)Simple
B)Compound
C)Complicated
D)Comminuted

Question 11

An advantage to using a fiberglass cast instead of a plaster cast is that a fiberglass cast:

A)Is less expensive.
B)Dries rapidly.
C)Molds closely to body parts.
D)Has a smooth exterior.

Question 12

The nurse is teaching a family how to care for their infant in a Pavlik harness to treat developmental dysplasia of the hip.What should be included?

A)Apply lotion or powder to minimize skin irritation.
B)Remove the harness several times a day to prevent contractures.
C)Return to the clinic every 1 to 2 weeks.
D)Place a diaper over harness, preferably using a superabsorbent disposable diaper that is relatively thin.

Question 13

Four-year-old David is placed in Buck's extension traction for Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease.He is crying with pain as the nurse assesses that the skin of his right foot is pale with an absence of pulse.What should the nurse do first?

A)Notify the practitioner of the changes noted.
B)Give the child medication to relieve the pain.
C)Reposition the child and notify the physician.
D)Chart the observations and check the extremity again in 15 minutes.

Question 14

What effect does immobilization have on the cardiovascular system?

A)Venous stasis
B)Increased vasopressor mechanism
C)Normal distribution of blood volume
D)Increased efficiency of orthostatic neurovascular reflexes

Question 15

The primary method of treating osteomyelitis is:

A)Joint replacement.
B)Bracing and casting.
C)Intravenous antibiotic therapy.
D)Long-term corticosteroid therapy.

Question 16

Which condition can result from the bone demineralization associated with immobility?

A)Osteoporosis
B)Urinary retention
C)Pooling of blood
D)Susceptibility to infection

Question 17

What would cause a nurse to suspect that an infection has developed under a cast?

A)Complaint of paresthesia
B)Cold toes
C)Increased respirations
D)"Hot spots" felt on cast surface

Question 18

The nurse uses the palms of the hands when handling a wet cast to:

A)Assess dryness of the cast.
B)Facilitate easy turning.
C)Keep the patient's limb balanced.
D)Avoid indenting the cast.

Question 19

A neonate is born with mild clubfeet.When the parents ask the nurse how this will be corrected,the nurse should explain that:

A)Traction is tried first.
B)Surgical intervention is needed.
C)Frequent, serial casting is tried first.
D)Children outgrow this condition when they learn to walk.

Question 20

Which type of traction uses skin traction on the lower leg and a padded sling under the knee?

A)Dunlop
B)Bryant's
C)Russell
D)Buck's extension

Question 21

A clinic nurse is conducting a staff in-service for other clinic staff regarding the signs and symptoms of a rhabdomyosarcoma tumor.Which should be included in the teaching session (Select all that apply)?

A)Bone fractures
B)Abdominal mass
C)Sore throat and ear pain
D)Headache
E)Ecchymosis of conjunctiva

Question 22

Discharge planning for the child with juvenile arthritis includes the need for:

A)Routine ophthalmologic examinations to assess for visual problems.
B)A low-calorie diet to decrease or control weight in the less mobile child.
C)Avoiding the use of aspirin to decrease gastric irritation.
D)Immobilizing the painful joints, which are the result of the inflammatory process.

Question 23

A school-age child is diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).The nurse should plan to implement which interventions for this child (Select all that apply)?

A)Instructions to avoid exposure to sunlight
B)Teaching about body changes associated with SLE
C)Preparation for home schooling
D)Restricted activity

Question 24

When infants are seen for fractures,which nursing intervention is a priority?

A)No intervention is necessary. It is not uncommon for infants to fracture bones.
B)Assess the family's safety practices. Fractures in infants usually result from falls.
C)Assess for child abuse. Fractures in infants are often nonaccidental.
D)Assess for genetic factors.

Question 25

When assessing the child with osteogenesis imperfecta,the nurse should expect to observe:

A)Discolored teeth.
B)Below-normal intelligence.
C)Increased muscle tone.
D)Above-average stature.

Question 26

The nurse is caring for a preschool child with a cast applied recently for a fractured tibia.Which assessment findings indicate possible compartment syndrome (Select all that apply)?

A)Palpable distal pulse
B)Capillary refill to extremity of <3 seconds
C)Severe pain not relieved by analgesics
D)Tingling of extremity
E)Inability to move extremity

Question 27

The nurse is caring for an infant with developmental dysplasia of the hip.Which clinical manifestations should the nurse expect to observe (Select all that apply)?

A)Positive Ortolani sign
B)Unequal gluteal folds
C)Negative Babinski's sign
D)Trendelenburg's sign
E)Telescoping of the affected limb
F)Lordosis

Question 28

Which statement is accurate concerning a child's musculoskeletal system and how it may be different from an adult's?

A)Growth occurs in children as a result of an increase in the number of muscle fibers.
B)Infants are at greater risk for fractures because their epiphyseal plates are not fused.
C)Because soft tissues are resilient in children, dislocations and sprains are less common than in adults.
D)Children's bones have less blood flow.

Question 29

The nurse is preparing an adolescent with scoliosis for a Luque-rod segmental spinal instrumentation procedure.Which consideration should the nurse include?

A)Nasogastric intubation and urinary catheter may be required.
B)Ambulation will not be allowed for up to 3 months.
C)Surgery eliminates the need for casting and bracing.
D)Discomfort can be controlled with nonpharmacologic methods.

Question 30

Which nursing intervention is appropriate to assess for neurovascular competency in a child who fell off the monkey bars at school and hurt his arm?

A)The degree of motion and ability to position the extremity.
B)The length, diameter, and shape of the extremity.
C)The amount of swelling noted in the extremity and pain intensity.
D)The skin color, temperature, movement, sensation, and capillary refill of the extremity.

Question 31

A 4-year-old child is newly diagnosed with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease.Nursing considerations should include which action?

A)Encouraging normal activity for as long as is possible
B)Explaining the cause of the disease to the child and family
C)Preparing the child and family for long-term, permanent disabilities
D)Teaching the family the care and management of the corrective appliance

Question 32

A nurse is conducting discharge teaching for parents of an infant with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI).Further teaching is indicated if the parents make which statement?

A)"We will be very careful handling the baby."
B)"We will lift the baby by the buttocks when diapering."
C)"We're glad there is a cure for this disorder."
D)"We will schedule follow-up appointments as instructed."

Question 33

Which interaction is part of the discharge plan for a school-age child with osteomyelitis who is receiving home antibiotic therapy?

A)Instructions for a low-calorie diet
B)Arrangements for tutoring and schoolwork
C)Instructions for a high-fat, low-protein diet
D)Instructions for the parent to return the child to team sports immediately

Question 34

Kristin,age 10 years,sustained a fracture in the epiphyseal plate of her right fibula when she fell off of a tree.When discussing this injury with her parents,the nurse should consider which statement?

A)Healing is usually delayed in this type of fracture.
B)Growth can be affected by this type of fracture.
C)This is an unusual fracture site in young children.
D)This type of fracture is inconsistent with a fall.

Question 35

Which medication is usually tried first when a child is diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)?

A)Aspirin
B)Corticosteroids
C)Cytotoxic drugs such as methotrexate
D)Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Question 36

An adolescent is scheduled for a leg amputation in 2 days for treatment of osteosarcoma.The nurse's approach should include:

A)Answering questions with straight forward honesty.
B)Avoiding discussing the seriousness of the condition.
C)Explaining that, although the amputation is difficult, it will cure the cancer.
D)Assisting the adolescent in accepting the amputation as better than a long course of chemotherapy.

Question 37

An important nursing consideration when caring for a child with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)is to:

A)Apply ice packs to relieve stiffness and pain.
B)Administer acetaminophen to reduce inflammation.
C)Teach child and family the correct administration of medications.
D)Encourage range-of-motion exercises during periods of inflammation.