Question 1

Of the 33 vertebrae in the spinal column,there are:

Accepted Answer

There are 7 cervical,12 thoracic,5 lumbar,5 sacral,and 3 to 4 coccygeal vertebrae.

Question 2

During an interview,a patient states,"I can feel this bump on the top of both of my shoulders-it doesn't hurt but I am curious about what it might be." The nurse should tell her:

Accepted Answer

The bump of the scapula's acromion process is felt at the very top of the shoulder.

Question 3

A woman who is 8 months pregnant comments that she has noticed a change in posture and is having lower back pain.The nurse tells her that during pregnancy women have a posture shift to compensate for the enlarging fetus.This shift in posture is known as:

Accepted Answer

Lordosis compensates for the enlarging fetus,which would shift the center of balance forward.This shift in balance in turn creates strain on the low back muscles,felt as low back pain during late pregnancy by some women.

Question 4

Fibrous bands running directly from one bone to another that strengthen the joint and help prevent movement in undesirable directions are called:

Accepted Answer

Fibrous bands running directly from one bone to another that strengthen the joint and help prevent movement in undesirable directions are called ligaments.

Question 5

An imaginary line connecting the highest point on each iliac crest would cross:

Accepted Answer

An imaginary line connecting the highest point on each iliac crest crosses the fourth lumbar vertebra.

Question 6

A patient tells the nurse that she is having a hard time bringing her hand to her mouth when she eats or tries to brush her teeth.The nurse knows that for her to move her hand to her mouth,she must perform the following movement:

Accepted Answer

Flexion,or bending a limb at a joint,would be required to move your hand to your mouth.

Question 7

The nurse is explaining to a patient that there are "shock absorbers" in his back to cushion the spine and to help it move.The nurse is referring to his:

Accepted Answer

Intervertebral discs are elastic fibrocartilaginous plates that cushion the spine like shock absorbers and help it move.

Question 8

The nurse is explaining the mechanism of the growth of long bones to a mother of a toddler.The nurse knows that bones increase in width or diameter by deposition of new bony tissue around the shafts.The nurse also knows that lengthening occurs at the:

Accepted Answer

Long bones grow in two dimensions: first in width or diameter by deposition of new bony tissue around the shafts.Lengthening occurs at the epiphyses,or growth plates.

Question 9

To palpate the temporomandibular joint,the nurse's fingers should be placed in the depression:

Accepted Answer

The temporomandibular joint can be felt in the depression anterior to the tragus of the ear.

Question 10

An 85-year-old patient comments during his annual physical that he seems to be getting shorter as he ages.The nurse should explain that decreased height occurs with aging because:

Accepted Answer

Postural changes are evident with aging;decreased height is most noticeable and is due to shortening of the vertebral column.Long bones do not shorten with age.

Question 11

The functional units of the musculoskeletal system are the:

Accepted Answer

Joints are the functional units of the musculoskeletal system because they permit the mobility needed for activities of daily living.

Question 12

A patient is being assessed for range of joint movement.The nurse asks him to move his arm in toward the center of his body.This movement is called:

Accepted Answer

Moving a limb toward the midline of the body is called adduction;abduction is moving a limb away from the midline of the body.

Question 13

The knee joint is the articulation of the femur,the tibia,and the:

Accepted Answer

The knee joint is the articulation of three bones,including the femur,the tibia,and the patella (kneecap)in one common articular cavity.

Question 14

A patient is visiting the clinic for an evaluation of a swollen,painful knuckle.The nurse notices that the knuckle above his ring on the left hand is swollen and he is unable to remove his wedding ring.This joint is called the:

Accepted Answer

The metacarpophalangeal joint is the joint located between the metacarpal bones and the phalanges of the fingers. The nurse's observation of swelling and the patient's inability to remove the wedding ring indicate that this joint is affected.

Question 15

The nurse is checking the range of motion in a patient's knee and knows that the knee is capable of the following movements:

Accepted Answer

The knee is a hinge joint,permitting flexion and extension of the lower leg on a single plane.

Question 16

The articulation of the mandible and the temporal bone is known as the:

Accepted Answer

The articulation of the mandible and the temporal bone is the temporomandibular joint.

Question 17

The nurse notices that a woman in an exercise class is unable to jump rope.The nurse knows that to jump rope,one's shoulder has to be capable of:

Accepted Answer

Circumduction is defined as moving the arm in a circle around the shoulder.

Question 18

The nurse is providing patient education for a man who has been diagnosed with a rotator cuff injury.The nurse knows that a rotator cuff injury involves:

Accepted Answer

A rotator cuff injury involves the glenohumeral joint,which is enclosed by a group of four powerful muscles and tendons that support and stabilize it.

Question 19

Hematopoiesis takes place in the:

Accepted Answer

The musculoskeletal system functions to encase and protect inner vital organs,support the body,produce red blood cells in the bone marrow,and store minerals.

Question 20

A patient has been diagnosed with osteoporosis and asks the nurse,"What is osteoporosis?" The nurse knows that osteoporosis can be defined as:

Accepted Answer

Osteoporosis is the loss of bone density.

Quiz 22: Musculoskeletal System