ATI MUSCULOSKELETAL AND NEUROLOGICAL EXAM 2026
WITH VERIFIED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
1. If a nurse identifies an abnormal spinal curvature during an assessment,
what would be the most appropriate next step?
Suggest dietary changes to increase calcium intake.
Refer the client for further diagnostic imaging.
Advise the client to perform stretching exercises.
Document the finding and continue with the assessment.
2. What is a common physical finding that may indicate arthritis in a client's
hands?
Nodules on the joints
Warmth in the wrist area
Increased range of motion
Swelling of the fingers
3. Why is calcium intake important for clients with osteoporosis?
Calcium is essential for maintaining bone density and
preventing fractures.
Calcium is primarily used for energy production.
Calcium helps in muscle contraction only.
Calcium is not important for bone health.
4. If a client with osteoporosis is not meeting the recommended calcium
intake, what dietary changes should the nurse suggest?
Increase physical activity without dietary changes.
, Incorporate more calcium-rich foods such as dairy products,
leafy greens, and fortified foods.
Focus solely on vitamin D supplementation.
Reduce protein intake to prevent calcium loss.
5. A nurse is assessing the range of motion of a client's head and neck. The
nurse should provide which of the following instructions to assess
hyperextension?
"Tilt the head back and look up at the ceiling."
"Turn the head from side to side and look back over the
shoulders."
"Lower the chin to the chest and raise it back up."
"Bend the neck to the side and bring the ear close to the
shoulder."
6. What is a common indicator that may require further investigation during
a spinal assessment?
Normal range of motion
Symmetrical shoulder height
Abnormal curvature of the spine
No pain during palpation
7. A client with osteoporosis is not meeting their vitamin D intake
recommendations. What should the nurse suggest as an intervention?
Suggest the client increase their intake of carbohydrates.
Recommend the client stop all physical activity.
Encourage the client to increase dietary sources of vitamin D
and consider supplements if necessary.
, Advise the client to avoid all dairy products.
8. Which of the following assessment findings of the patient's head and
neck will the nurse prioritize to inform the physician?
enlarged tonsillar lymph nodes
cold finger tips
trachea that slightly leans to left
dry sparse hair
9. Describe why an abnormal curvature of the spine might necessitate
further investigation during a nursing assessment.
An abnormal curvature is always normal and does not require
further investigation.
An abnormal curvature is only a cosmetic issue and does not
affect health.
An abnormal curvature is common in all individuals and does not
need assessment.
An abnormal curvature of the spine may indicate underlying
conditions such as scoliosis or kyphosis that require further
evaluation.
10. A 78 year old patient comes to the clinic and the nurse immediately
notices a hunched over posture. What spinal curvature does this
indicate?
Subluxation
Kyphosis
Atrophy
Lordosis
WITH VERIFIED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
1. If a nurse identifies an abnormal spinal curvature during an assessment,
what would be the most appropriate next step?
Suggest dietary changes to increase calcium intake.
Refer the client for further diagnostic imaging.
Advise the client to perform stretching exercises.
Document the finding and continue with the assessment.
2. What is a common physical finding that may indicate arthritis in a client's
hands?
Nodules on the joints
Warmth in the wrist area
Increased range of motion
Swelling of the fingers
3. Why is calcium intake important for clients with osteoporosis?
Calcium is essential for maintaining bone density and
preventing fractures.
Calcium is primarily used for energy production.
Calcium helps in muscle contraction only.
Calcium is not important for bone health.
4. If a client with osteoporosis is not meeting the recommended calcium
intake, what dietary changes should the nurse suggest?
Increase physical activity without dietary changes.
, Incorporate more calcium-rich foods such as dairy products,
leafy greens, and fortified foods.
Focus solely on vitamin D supplementation.
Reduce protein intake to prevent calcium loss.
5. A nurse is assessing the range of motion of a client's head and neck. The
nurse should provide which of the following instructions to assess
hyperextension?
"Tilt the head back and look up at the ceiling."
"Turn the head from side to side and look back over the
shoulders."
"Lower the chin to the chest and raise it back up."
"Bend the neck to the side and bring the ear close to the
shoulder."
6. What is a common indicator that may require further investigation during
a spinal assessment?
Normal range of motion
Symmetrical shoulder height
Abnormal curvature of the spine
No pain during palpation
7. A client with osteoporosis is not meeting their vitamin D intake
recommendations. What should the nurse suggest as an intervention?
Suggest the client increase their intake of carbohydrates.
Recommend the client stop all physical activity.
Encourage the client to increase dietary sources of vitamin D
and consider supplements if necessary.
, Advise the client to avoid all dairy products.
8. Which of the following assessment findings of the patient's head and
neck will the nurse prioritize to inform the physician?
enlarged tonsillar lymph nodes
cold finger tips
trachea that slightly leans to left
dry sparse hair
9. Describe why an abnormal curvature of the spine might necessitate
further investigation during a nursing assessment.
An abnormal curvature is always normal and does not require
further investigation.
An abnormal curvature is only a cosmetic issue and does not
affect health.
An abnormal curvature is common in all individuals and does not
need assessment.
An abnormal curvature of the spine may indicate underlying
conditions such as scoliosis or kyphosis that require further
evaluation.
10. A 78 year old patient comes to the clinic and the nurse immediately
notices a hunched over posture. What spinal curvature does this
indicate?
Subluxation
Kyphosis
Atrophy
Lordosis
