NURS 5433 Family II: Musculoskeletal Study
Guide Questions and Correct Answers with
Complete Solution | New 2026/27 Update | UTA
What is the most important diagnostic tool in MSK injuries? - ANSWERS
History
What does the mechanism of injury help determine? - ANSWERS Pathology
and severity
What symptoms suggest a ligament injury? - ANSWERS Instability or giving
way
What symptoms suggest internal derangement of a joint? - ANSWERS Locking
or catching
What are the red flags for systemic MSK disease? - ANSWERS Fever, weight
loss, night pain, and swelling without injury
What is the first-line treatment for MSK injuries? - ANSWERS MICE (Rest, Ice,
Compression, Elevation), NSAIDs, and physical therapy
What is the indication for arthrocentesis? - ANSWERS Acute swollen joint to
rule out infection or gout
,What is the main symptom of shoulder impingement? - ANSWERS Pain with
overhead activity
What is the expected ROM in shoulder impingement? - ANSWERS Decreased
active ROM, normal passive ROM
Which physical exam tests are positive for shoulder impingement? - ANSWERS
Neer and Hawkins tests
What is the first-line treatment for shoulder impingement? - ANSWERS
Physical therapy and activity modification
What is the most common tendon torn in the rotator cuff? - ANSWERS
Supraspinatus
What is the key symptom of a rotator cuff tear? - ANSWERS Weakness
What is the diagnostic test of choice for a rotator cuff tear? - ANSWERS MRI
What is the most common type of shoulder dislocation? - ANSWERS Anterior
What is the typical position of an anterior shoulder dislocation? - ANSWERS
Abducted and externally rotated
What is the most important step in evaluating low back pain? - ANSWERS Rule
out red flags
, When should imaging be ordered for low back pain? - ANSWERS After 6 weeks
of symptoms or if red flags are present
What does a positive straight leg raise test indicate? - ANSWERS Sciatica
What does a positive crossed straight leg raise test indicate? - ANSWERS Large
disc herniation
What are the symptoms of cauda equina syndrome? - ANSWERS Urinary
retention, saddle anesthesia, and bilateral weakness
What does pain that is worse with flexion suggest? - ANSWERS Disc problem
What does pain that is worse with extension suggest? - ANSWERS Spinal
stenosis or facet disease
What is the classic sign of spinal stenosis? - ANSWERS Neurogenic claudication
What is the pathophysiology of an ACL tear? - ANSWERS Tear of anterior
cruciate ligament leading to loss of anterior tibial stabilization; occurs with non-
contact pivoting, deceleration, or valgus stress.
What are the classic signs and symptoms of an ACL tear? - ANSWERS Audible
pop, rapid swelling (hemarthrosis) within 2 hours, instability (giving way), difficulty
descending stairs, and decreased range of motion.
Guide Questions and Correct Answers with
Complete Solution | New 2026/27 Update | UTA
What is the most important diagnostic tool in MSK injuries? - ANSWERS
History
What does the mechanism of injury help determine? - ANSWERS Pathology
and severity
What symptoms suggest a ligament injury? - ANSWERS Instability or giving
way
What symptoms suggest internal derangement of a joint? - ANSWERS Locking
or catching
What are the red flags for systemic MSK disease? - ANSWERS Fever, weight
loss, night pain, and swelling without injury
What is the first-line treatment for MSK injuries? - ANSWERS MICE (Rest, Ice,
Compression, Elevation), NSAIDs, and physical therapy
What is the indication for arthrocentesis? - ANSWERS Acute swollen joint to
rule out infection or gout
,What is the main symptom of shoulder impingement? - ANSWERS Pain with
overhead activity
What is the expected ROM in shoulder impingement? - ANSWERS Decreased
active ROM, normal passive ROM
Which physical exam tests are positive for shoulder impingement? - ANSWERS
Neer and Hawkins tests
What is the first-line treatment for shoulder impingement? - ANSWERS
Physical therapy and activity modification
What is the most common tendon torn in the rotator cuff? - ANSWERS
Supraspinatus
What is the key symptom of a rotator cuff tear? - ANSWERS Weakness
What is the diagnostic test of choice for a rotator cuff tear? - ANSWERS MRI
What is the most common type of shoulder dislocation? - ANSWERS Anterior
What is the typical position of an anterior shoulder dislocation? - ANSWERS
Abducted and externally rotated
What is the most important step in evaluating low back pain? - ANSWERS Rule
out red flags
, When should imaging be ordered for low back pain? - ANSWERS After 6 weeks
of symptoms or if red flags are present
What does a positive straight leg raise test indicate? - ANSWERS Sciatica
What does a positive crossed straight leg raise test indicate? - ANSWERS Large
disc herniation
What are the symptoms of cauda equina syndrome? - ANSWERS Urinary
retention, saddle anesthesia, and bilateral weakness
What does pain that is worse with flexion suggest? - ANSWERS Disc problem
What does pain that is worse with extension suggest? - ANSWERS Spinal
stenosis or facet disease
What is the classic sign of spinal stenosis? - ANSWERS Neurogenic claudication
What is the pathophysiology of an ACL tear? - ANSWERS Tear of anterior
cruciate ligament leading to loss of anterior tibial stabilization; occurs with non-
contact pivoting, deceleration, or valgus stress.
What are the classic signs and symptoms of an ACL tear? - ANSWERS Audible
pop, rapid swelling (hemarthrosis) within 2 hours, instability (giving way), difficulty
descending stairs, and decreased range of motion.
