Deck 62: Nursing Assessment: Musculoskeletal System

Question 1

A patient has a new order for open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate for right femur osteomyelitis. Which information obtained by the nurse indicates that the nurse should consult with the health care provider before scheduling an MRI?

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

Answer 1

The patient has a pacemaker.

Question 2

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

A) radioisotope bone scanning.
B) arthroscopy.
C) standard x-rays.
D) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Answer 2

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Question 3

When assessing the musculoskeletal system, the nurse's initial action will usually be to

A) have the patient move the extremities against resistance.
B) feel for the presence of crepitus during joint movement.
C) observe the patient's body build and muscle configuration.
D) check active and passive range of motion for the extremities.

Answer 3

observe the patient's body build and muscle configuration.

Question 4

During assessment of the musculoskeletal system of a 74-year-old woman, the nurse notes that the patient has lost 1 inch in height since the previous visit two years ago. The nurse will plan to teach the patient about

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

Question 5

When the nurse is assessing a new patient in the clinic, which information about the patient's medications will be of most concern?

A) The patient takes hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to prevent "hot flashes."
B) The patient takes a daily multivitamin and calcium supplement.
C) The patient has severe asthma and requires frequent therapy with steroids.
D) The patient has migraine headaches which are treated with NSAIDs.

Question 6

When taking a patient history during assessment of the musculoskeletal system, the nurse identifies an increased risk for the patient who reports

A) that a parent became much shorter with aging.
B) a sprained ankle 2 years previously.
C) a family history of tuberculosis.
D) taking over-the-counter (OTC) ibuprofen (Advil) for occasional aches.

Question 7

When the health care provider tells a patient that the pain in the patient's knee is caused by bursitis, the patient asks the nurse to explain just what bursitis is. The nurse's best response would be to tell the patient bursitis is an inflammation of

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

Question 8

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

A) fracture of the midhumerus.
B) torn knee cruciate ligament.
C) fractured nose.
D) severely sprained ankle.

Question 9

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

A) 1.
B) 2.
C) 3.
D) 4.

Question 10

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

A) start an intravenous line.
B) screen the patient for shellfish allergies.
C) teach the patient that DEXA is noninvasive.
D) give an oral sedative.

Question 11

The nurse is assessing the passive range of motion of a patient's shoulder. The patient complains of pain during circumduction when the nurse moves the arm behind the patient. Which question should the nurse ask?

A) "Do you ever have trouble making it to the toilet?"
B) "Do you have difficulty in putting on a jacket?"
C) "Are you able to feed yourself without difficulty?"
D) "How well are you able to sleep at night?"

Question 12

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

A) sanguineous.
B) purulent and thick.
C) straw colored.
D) white, thick, and ropelike.

Question 13

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

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