Deck 62: Nursing Assessment: Musculoskeletal System

Question 1

Which information in a 67-year-old woman's health history will alert the nurse to the need for a more focused assessment of the musculoskeletal system?

A) The patient sprained her ankle at age 13.
B) The patient's mother became shorter with aging.
C) The patient takes ibuprofen (Advil) for occasional headaches.
D) The patient's father died of complications of miliary tuberculosis.

Answer 1

The patient's mother became shorter with aging.

Question 2

The nurse who notes that a 59-year-old female patient has lost 1 inch in height over the past 2 years will plan to teach the patient about

A) discography studies.
B) myelographic testing.
C) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
D) dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

Answer 2

dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

Question 3

A 72-year-old patient with kyphosis is scheduled for dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)testing.The nurse will plan to

A) explain the procedure.
B) start an IV line for contrast medium injection.
C) give an oral sedative 60 to 90 minutes before the procedure.
D) screen the patient for allergies to shellfish or iodine products.

Answer 3

explain the procedure.

Question 4

Which medication information will the nurse identify as a concern for a patient's musculoskeletal status?

A) The patient takes a daily multivitamin and calcium supplement.
B) The patient takes hormone therapy (HT) to prevent "hot flashes."
C) The patient has severe asthma and requires frequent therapy with oral corticosteroids.
D) The patient has migraine headaches treated with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Question 5

A patient has a new order for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)to evaluate for left femur osteomyelitis after a hip replacement surgery.Which information indicates that the nurse should consult with the health care provider before scheduling the MRI?

A) The patient has a pacemaker.
B) The patient is claustrophobic.
C) The patient wears a hearing aid.
D) The patient is allergic to shellfish.

Question 6

A patient with left knee pain is diagnosed with bursitis.The nurse will explain that bursitis is an inflammation of

A) the synovial membrane that lines the joint.
B) a small, fluid-filled sac found at some joints.
C) the fibrocartilage that acts as a shock absorber in the knee joint.
D) any connective tissue that is found supporting the joints of the body.

Question 7

Which nursing action is correct when performing the straight-leg raising test for an ambulatory patient with back pain?

A) Raise the patient's legs to a 60-degree angle from the bed.
B) Place the patient initially in the prone position on the exam table.
C) Have the patient dangle both legs over the edge of the exam table.
D) Instruct the patient to elevate the legs and tense the abdominal muscles.

Question 8

The nurse finds that a patient can flex the arms when no resistance is applied but is unable to flex when the nurse applies light resistance.The nurse should document the patient's muscle strength as level

A) 0.
B) 1.
C) 2.
D) 3.

Question 9

Which finding from a patient's right knee arthrocentesis will be of concern to the nurse?

A) Cloudy fluid
B) Scant thin fluid
C) Pale yellow fluid
D) Straw-colored fluid

Question 10

A 42-year-old male patient complains of shoulder pain when the nurse moves his arm behind the back.Which question should the nurse ask?

A) "Are you able to feed yourself without difficulty?"
B) "Do you have difficulty when you are putting on a shirt?"
C) "Are you able to sleep through the night without waking?"
D) "Do you ever have trouble lowering yourself to the toilet?"

Question 11

Which information obtained during the nurse's assessment of a 30-year-old patient's nutritional-metabolic pattern may indicate the risk for musculoskeletal problems?

A) The patient takes a multivitamin daily.
B) The patient dislikes fruits and vegetables.
C) The patient is 5 ft 2 in and weighs 180 lb.
D) The patient prefers whole milk to nonfat milk.

Question 12

Which action can the nurse delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)who are working in the orthopedic clinic?

A) Grade leg muscle strength for a patient with back pain.
B) Obtain blood sample for uric acid from a patient with gout.
C) Perform straight-leg-raise testing for a patient with sciatica.
D) Check for knee joint crepitation before arthroscopic surgery.

Question 13

The nurse notes crackling sounds and a grating sensation with palpation of an older patient's elbow.How will this finding be documented?

A) Torticollis
B) Crepitation
C) Subluxation
D) Epicondylitis

Question 14

After completing the health history,the nurse assessing the musculoskeletal system will begin by

A) having the patient move the extremities against resistance.
B) feeling for the presence of crepitus during joint movement.
C) observing the patient's body build and muscle configuration.
D) checking active and passive range of motion for the extremities.

Question 15

Which finding is of highest priority when the nurse is planning care for a 77-year-old patient seen in the outpatient clinic?

A) Symmetric joint swelling of fingers
B) Decreased right knee range of motion
C) Report of left hip aching when jogging
D) History of recent loss of balance and fall

Question 16

Which part of the musculoskeletal assessment is the nurse doing in the video?
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A) Passive hip range of motion
B) Inspection of the legs and feet
C) Internal and external hip rotation
D) Adduction and abduction of the hip