Deck 50: Care of Patients with Musculoskeletal Problems

Question 1

A client has an ingrown toenail.About what self-management measure does the nurse teach the client?

A) Long-term antibiotic use
B) Shoe padding
C) Toenail trimming
D) Warm moist soaks

Answer 1

Warm moist soaks

Question 2

A client has been prescribed denosumab (Prolia).What instruction about this drug is most appropriate?

A) "Drink at least 8 ounces of water with it."
B) "Make appointments to come get your shot."
C) "Sit upright for 30 to 60 minutes after taking it."
D) "Take the drug on an empty stomach."

Answer 2

"Make appointments to come get your shot."

Question 3

An older client with diabetes is admitted with a heavily draining leg wound.The client's white blood cell count is 38,000/mm³ but the client is afebrile.What action does the nurse take first?

A) Administer acetaminophen (Tylenol).
B) Educate the client on amputation.
C) Place the client on contact isolation.
D) Refer the client to the wound care nurse.

Answer 3

Place the client on contact isolation.

Question 4

A client has scoliosis with a 65-degree curve to the spine.What action by the nurse takes priority?

A) Allow the client to rest in a position of comfort.
B) Assess the client's cardiac and respiratory systems.
C) Assist the client with ambulating and position changes.
D) Position the client on one side propped with pillows.

Question 5

A client with osteoporosis is going home,where the client lives alone.What action by the nurse is best?

A) Arrange a home safety evaluation.
B) Ensure the client has a walker at home.
C) Help the client look into assisted living.
D) Refer the client to Meals on Wheels.

Question 6

A hospitalized client is being treated for Ewing's sarcoma.What action by the nurse is most important?

A) Assessing and treating the client for pain as needed
B) Educating the client on the disease and its treatment
C) Handling and disposing of chemotherapeutic agents per policy
D) Providing emotional support for the client and family

Question 7

A client has a bone density score of -2.8.What action by the nurse is best?

A) Asking the client to complete a food diary
B) Planning to teach about bisphosphonates
C) Scheduling another scan in 2 years
D) Scheduling another scan in 6 months

Question 8

A client had a bunionectomy with osteotomy.The client asks why healing may take up to 3 months.What explanation by the nurse is best?

A) "Your feet have less blood flow, so healing is slower."
B) "The bones in your feet are hard to operate on."
C) "The surrounding bones and tissue are damaged."
D) "Your feet bear weight so they never really heal."

Question 9

A client has a metastatic bone tumor.What action by the nurse takes priority?

A) Administer pain medication as prescribed.
B) Elevate the extremity and apply moist heat.
C) Handle the affected extremity with caution.
D) Place the client on protective precautions.

Question 10

A client with bone cancer is hospitalized for a limb salvage procedure.How can the nurse best address the client's psychosocial needs?

A) Assess the client's coping skills and support systems.
B) Explain that the surgery leads to a longer life expectancy.
C) Refer the client to the social worker or hospital chaplain.
D) Reinforce physical therapy to aid with ambulating normally.

Question 11

A client is scheduled for a bone biopsy.What action by the nurse takes priority?

A) Administering the preoperative medications
B) Answering any questions about the procedure
C) Ensuring that informed consent is on the chart
D) Showing the client's family where to wait

Question 12

A nurse sees clients in an osteoporosis clinic.Which client should the nurse see first?

A) Client taking calcium with vitamin D (Os-Cal) who reports flank pain 2 weeks ago
B) Client taking ibandronate (Boniva) who cannot remember when the last dose was
C) Client taking raloxifene (Evista) who reports unilateral calf swelling
D) Client taking risedronate (Actonel) who reports occasional dyspepsia

Question 13

A nurse is assessing an older client and discovers back pain with tenderness along T₂ and T₃ .What action by the nurse is best?

A) Consult with the provider about an x-ray.
B) Encourage the client to use ibuprofen (Motrin).
C) Have the client perform hip range of motion.
D) Place the client in a rigid cervical collar.

Question 14

A client is in the internal medicine clinic reporting bone pain.The client's alkaline phosphatase level is 180 units/L.What action by the nurse is most appropriate?

A) Assess the client for leg bowing.
B) Facilitate an oncology workup.
C) Instruct the client on fluid restrictions.
D) Teach the client about ibuprofen (Motrin).

Question 15

The nurse sees several clients with osteoporosis.For which client would bisphosphonates not be a good option?

A) Client with diabetes who has a serum creatinine of 0.8 mg/dL
B) Client who recently fell and has vertebral compression fractures
C) Hypertensive client who takes calcium channel blockers
D) Client with a spinal cord injury who cannot tolerate sitting up

Question 16

A client is admitted with a large draining wound on the leg.What action does the nurse take first?

A) Administer ordered antibiotics.
B) Insert an intravenous line.
C) Give pain medications if needed.
D) Obtain cultures of the leg wound.

Question 17

A client has been advised to perform weight-bearing exercises to help minimize osteoporosis.The client admits to not doing the prescribed exercises.What action by the nurse is best?

A) Ask the client about fear of falling.
B) Instruct the client to increase calcium.
C) Suggest other exercises the client can do.
D) Tell the client to try weight lifting.

Question 18

A nurse is caring for four clients.After the hand-off report,which client does the nurse see first?

A) Client with osteoporosis and a white blood cell count of 27,000/mm³
B) Client with osteoporosis and a bone fracture who requests pain medication
C) Post-microvascular bone transfer client whose distal leg is cool and pale
D) Client with suspected bone tumor who just returned from having a spinal CT

Question 19

What information does the nurse teach a women's group about osteoporosis?

A) "For 5 years after menopause you lose 2% of bone mass yearly."
B) "Men actually have higher rates of the disease but are underdiagnosed."
C) "There is no way to prevent or slow osteoporosis after menopause."
D) "Women and men have an equal chance of getting osteoporosis."

Question 20

A client in a nursing home refuses to take medications.She is at high risk for osteomalacia.What action by the nurse is best?

A) Ensure the client gets 15 minutes of sun exposure daily.
B) Give the client daily vitamin D injections.
C) Hide vitamin D supplements in favorite foods.
D) Plan to serve foods naturally high in vitamin D.

Question 21

A nurse is providing education to a community women's group about lifestyle changes helpful in preventing osteoporosis.What topics does the nurse cover? (Select all that apply.)

A) Cut down on tobacco product use.
B) Limit alcohol to two drinks a day.
C) Strengthening exercises are important.
D) Take recommended calcium and vitamin D.
E) Walk 30 minutes at least 3 times a week.

Question 22

A nurse is assessing a community group for dietary factors that contribute to osteoporosis.In addition to inquiring about calcium,the nurse also assesses for which other dietary components? (Select all that apply.)

A) Alcohol
B) Caffeine
C) Fat
D) Carbonated beverages
E) Vitamin D

Question 23

The nurse studying osteoporosis learns that which drugs can cause this disorder? (Select all that apply.)

A) Antianxiety agents
B) Antibiotics
C) Barbiturates
D) Corticosteroids
E) Loop diuretics

Question 24

A client with Paget's disease is hospitalized for an unrelated issue.The client reports pain and it is not yet time for more medication.What comfort measures can the nurse delegate to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)? (Select all that apply.)

A) Administering ibuprofen (Motrin)
B) Applying a heating pad
C) Providing a massage
D) Referring the client to a support group
E) Using a bed cradle to lift sheets off the feet

Question 25

A client is admitted with a bone tumor.The nurse finds the client weak and lethargic with decreased deep tendon reflexes.What actions by the nurse are best? (Select all that apply.)

A) Assess the daily serum calcium level.
B) Consult the provider about a loop diuretic.
C) Institute seizure precautions for the client.
D) Instruct the client to call for help out of bed.
E) Place the client on a 1500-mL fluid restriction.

Question 26

A client is suspected to have muscular dystrophy.About what diagnostic testing does the nurse educate the client? (Select all that apply.)

A) Electromyography
B) Muscle biopsy
C) Nerve conduction studies
D) Serum aldolase
E) Serum creatinine kinase

Question 27

The nurse is assessing a client for chronic osteomyelitis.Which features distinguish this from the acute form of the disease? (Select all that apply.)

A) Draining sinus tracts
B) High fevers
C) Presence of foot ulcers
D) Swelling and redness
E) Tenderness or pain

Question 28

A client with chronic osteomyelitis is being discharged from the hospital.What information is important for the nurse to teach this client and family? (Select all that apply.)

A) Adherence to the antibiotic regimen
B) Correct intramuscular injection technique
C) Eating high-protein and high-carbohydrate foods
D) Keeping daily follow-up appointments
E) Proper use of the intravenous equipment