Question 1

A patient is seen at the urgent care centre following a blunt injury to his left knee.The knee is grossly swollen and very painful,but the skin is intact.During an arthrocentesis on the patient's knee,how would the nurse expect the aspirated fluid to appear?

Accepted Answer

Sanguineous fluid is expected in cases of blunt injury to the knee, indicating bleeding into the joint space, which leads to swelling and pain.

Question 2

While assessing a patient's musculoskeletal function,the nurse asks the patient to demonstrate active range of motion of the shoulder.What is the motion(s)at the shoulder that the patient should be able to perform but cannot do at the elbow?

Accepted Answer

Circumduction is a motion that involves the ability to move the arm in a circular pattern at the shoulder joint. This motion cannot be performed at the elbow joint, making it the correct answer. Opposition is a function of the hand and fingers, not the shoulder. Eversion and adduction are movements of the foot and leg, respectively, not the shoulder.

Question 3

Which type of bone cell plays a role in bone remodelling?

Accepted Answer

Osteoclasts are responsible for the breakdown of bone tissue during bone remodelling, which allows for the release of minerals such as calcium into the bloodstream. Osteoblasts and osteocytes also play important roles in bone remodelling, but they do not directly break down bone tissue. Osteons are structural units of compact bone and do not actively participate in bone remodelling.

Question 4

When the doctor tells a patient that the pain in his knee is caused by bursitis,the patient asks the nurse to explain what bursitis is.What is the best response that would explain bursitis to the patient?

Accepted Answer

Bursitis is an inflammation of a small, fluid-filled bursa sac of protective connective tissue commonly found at joints.

Question 5

A patient suffers an injury to the shoulder while playing football.To identify abnormalities of cartilage and soft tissue surrounding the joint,what would the nurse expect the patient to be evaluated with?

Accepted Answer

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the best option for evaluating cartilage and soft tissue abnormalities as it provides detailed images of the structures surrounding the joint. X-ray films and bone scans are inadequate for identifying soft tissue injuries, while an arthrogram involves injecting contrast dye into the joint and is not routinely used for initial evaluation.

Question 6

Skeletal muscle accounts for approximately what percentage of a person's body weight?

Accepted Answer

Skeletal muscle typically accounts for about 50% of a person's body weight, making it the largest type of muscle in the body.

Question 7

When assessing the musculoskeletal system,what is the nurse's initial action?

Accepted Answer

The initial action when assessing the musculoskeletal system is to observe the patient's body build and muscle configuration. This provides a baseline for identifying any abnormalities or asymmetries before proceeding to more specific assessments.

Question 8

While testing the patient's muscle strength,the nurse finds that although the patient can move his limbs,he cannot apply muscle resistance to force.How should the nurse grade the muscle strength?

Accepted Answer

Muscle strength graded as 3 indicates that the patient can move their limb against gravity but cannot resist any added force, which matches the scenario described.

Question 9

Based on the nurse's understanding of the physiology of bone and cartilage,what is the injury that the nurse would expect to heal most rapidly?

Accepted Answer

Fractures of long bones, such as the midhumerus, tend to heal more rapidly than injuries involving cartilage or ligaments. This is because bone has a rich blood supply that promotes faster healing, whereas cartilage and ligaments have a poorer blood supply, which slows down the healing process.

Question 10

The wrist joint is an example of which one of the following joint types?

Accepted Answer

The wrist joint is an example of a condyloid joint, which is a type of synovial joint that allows movement in two directions (biaxial) such as flexion/extension and abduction/adduction. This joint is formed by the articulation of the radius and ulna bones of the forearm with the carpals (wrist bones).

Question 11

During assessment of the musculoskeletal system of a 74-year-old woman,what is a finding that reflects the normal age-related vertebral disc compression?

Accepted Answer

Loss of height is a common finding in older adults due to age-related vertebral disc compression, which leads to a decrease in the space between vertebrae.

Question 12

Which of the following is an age-related change in the musculoskeletal system?

Accepted Answer

As we age, the discs between our vertebrae lose water content which can lead to a decrease in their ability to cushion and absorb shock. This can lead to back pain and stiffness. A, B, and D are not age-related changes in the musculoskeletal system.

Question 13

During assessment of the musculoskeletal system,the nurse notes that the patient's gait is disturbed.To further assess this problem,what should the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

The answer of During assessment of the musculoskeletal system,the nurse...

Question 14

The sacrum is classified as which type of bone?

Accepted Answer

The sacrum is an irregular bone that is formed by the fusion of several vertebrae. It is located at the base of the spine and is connected to the pelvis via the sacroiliac joint. It serves as a site for muscle and ligament attachment and provides support for the upper body.

Quiz 64: Nursing Assessment: Musculoskeletal System