NR 226 Adult Health I Week 10 - Musculoskeletal and Trauma Nursing
2026 |Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is assessing a client with a cast on the right lower leg. Which finding is
the most concerning and suggests compartment syndrome?
A. Pain that is unrelieved by prescribed opioids
B. Capillary refill of 3 seconds
C. Warm skin temperature around the cast
D. Itching underneath the cast
Answer: A
Rationale: Pain unrelieved by medication or out of proportion to the injury is the earliest
and most reliable sign of compartment syndrome.
2. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark sign of a fat embolism following a
long-bone fracture?
A. Bradycardia
B. Localized redness in the calf
C. Hypotension
D. Petechiae on the chest and neck
Answer: D
Rationale: Petechiae on the chest, neck, or axilla are classic signs of fat embolism
syndrome, resulting from occlusion of small vessels.
,3. A client is 24 hours post-operative from a total hip arthroplasty. Which action
should the nurse take to prevent dislocation?
A. Maintain the affected leg in an abducted position
B. Instruct the client to cross their legs while sitting
C. Place the client in a high-Fowler’s position
D. Adduct the legs using a pillow between the knees
Answer: A
Rationale: Abduction prevents the hip from popping out of the socket; adduction or
extreme flexion can lead to dislocation.
4. What is the primary purpose of applying Buck’s traction to a client with a hip
fracture?
A. To provide permanent immobilization of the bone
B. To realign the bone fragments surgically
C. To reduce muscle spasms and provide comfort
D. To stimulate bone healing through pressure
Answer: C
Rationale: Buck’s traction is a type of skin traction used preoperatively to decrease muscle
spasms and stabilize the fracture site.
5. When performing pin site care for a client in skeletal traction, which finding
should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Purulent drainage and foul odor
B. Serosanguineous drainage
C. Crusting around the pin site
D. Mild redness at the insertion point
Answer: A
Rationale: Purulent drainage, foul odor, and persistent warmth indicate infection
(osteomyelitis), which is a serious complication.
, 6. A client is diagnosed with Osteoarthritis (OA). Which physical finding is
commonly associated with this condition?
A. Heberden’s and Bouchard’s nodes
B. Swan-neck deformities
C. Symmetrical joint swelling
D. Low-grade fever and malaise
Answer: A
Rationale: Heberden’s and Bouchard’s nodes are bony enlargements associated with OA;
RA is characterized by symmetrical swelling and systemic symptoms.
7. Which medication is considered the first-line treatment for an acute attack of
gout?
A. Allopurinol
B. Colchicine
C. Probenecid
D. Vitamin D
Answer: B
Rationale: Colchicine or NSAIDs are used for acute attacks; Allopurinol is used for chronic
management to lower uric acid levels.
8. A nurse is teaching a client about alendronate for osteoporosis. Which
instruction is vital for safety?
A. Take the medication with a meal to avoid GI upset
B. Lie down for 30 minutes after taking the pill
C. Take the medication with a full glass of water and stay upright
D. Crush the tablet if it is too hard to swallow
Answer: C
Rationale: Alendronate can cause severe esophageal irritation; staying upright and using
water helps the medication pass into the stomach.
2026 |Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is assessing a client with a cast on the right lower leg. Which finding is
the most concerning and suggests compartment syndrome?
A. Pain that is unrelieved by prescribed opioids
B. Capillary refill of 3 seconds
C. Warm skin temperature around the cast
D. Itching underneath the cast
Answer: A
Rationale: Pain unrelieved by medication or out of proportion to the injury is the earliest
and most reliable sign of compartment syndrome.
2. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark sign of a fat embolism following a
long-bone fracture?
A. Bradycardia
B. Localized redness in the calf
C. Hypotension
D. Petechiae on the chest and neck
Answer: D
Rationale: Petechiae on the chest, neck, or axilla are classic signs of fat embolism
syndrome, resulting from occlusion of small vessels.
,3. A client is 24 hours post-operative from a total hip arthroplasty. Which action
should the nurse take to prevent dislocation?
A. Maintain the affected leg in an abducted position
B. Instruct the client to cross their legs while sitting
C. Place the client in a high-Fowler’s position
D. Adduct the legs using a pillow between the knees
Answer: A
Rationale: Abduction prevents the hip from popping out of the socket; adduction or
extreme flexion can lead to dislocation.
4. What is the primary purpose of applying Buck’s traction to a client with a hip
fracture?
A. To provide permanent immobilization of the bone
B. To realign the bone fragments surgically
C. To reduce muscle spasms and provide comfort
D. To stimulate bone healing through pressure
Answer: C
Rationale: Buck’s traction is a type of skin traction used preoperatively to decrease muscle
spasms and stabilize the fracture site.
5. When performing pin site care for a client in skeletal traction, which finding
should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Purulent drainage and foul odor
B. Serosanguineous drainage
C. Crusting around the pin site
D. Mild redness at the insertion point
Answer: A
Rationale: Purulent drainage, foul odor, and persistent warmth indicate infection
(osteomyelitis), which is a serious complication.
, 6. A client is diagnosed with Osteoarthritis (OA). Which physical finding is
commonly associated with this condition?
A. Heberden’s and Bouchard’s nodes
B. Swan-neck deformities
C. Symmetrical joint swelling
D. Low-grade fever and malaise
Answer: A
Rationale: Heberden’s and Bouchard’s nodes are bony enlargements associated with OA;
RA is characterized by symmetrical swelling and systemic symptoms.
7. Which medication is considered the first-line treatment for an acute attack of
gout?
A. Allopurinol
B. Colchicine
C. Probenecid
D. Vitamin D
Answer: B
Rationale: Colchicine or NSAIDs are used for acute attacks; Allopurinol is used for chronic
management to lower uric acid levels.
8. A nurse is teaching a client about alendronate for osteoporosis. Which
instruction is vital for safety?
A. Take the medication with a meal to avoid GI upset
B. Lie down for 30 minutes after taking the pill
C. Take the medication with a full glass of water and stay upright
D. Crush the tablet if it is too hard to swallow
Answer: C
Rationale: Alendronate can cause severe esophageal irritation; staying upright and using
water helps the medication pass into the stomach.
