NUR 1024: BACK PROBLEMS: TEST QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
1) Which collaborative therapy should the nurse expect for a client newly diagnosed
with sciatica? (Select all that apply.)
A) Surgery
B) Antispasmodics
C) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
D) Epidural injections
E) Physical therapy -- Correct Answer ✔✔ B, C, D, E
Rationale: When treating a client newly diagnosed with sciatica, the healthcare
provider will want to reserve surgery as a last resort. NSAIDs or other
analgesics, antispasmodics, epidural injections of cortisone, and physical therapy
are first-line treatment options.
2) The nurse is preparing educational materials concerning back injuries and herniated
discs for a health fair at a local community center. Which information should the
nurse include in the educational materials? (Select all that apply.)
A) Avoid lifting objects with a twisting motion.
B) A herniated disc can affect both sensory and motor function.
C) The injury occurs most commonly in the lower back.
D) Ruptured discs are the most common cause of back pain.
E) Those between the ages of 20 and 30 are most at risk. -- Correct Answer
✔✔ A, B, C, D
Rationale: Lifting heavy objects with a twisting motion can cause rupture of the
nucleus pulposus and painful muscle spasms. Improper lifting technique is a
common cause of herniated discs. The most common sites for herniated discs
are in the lower lumbar area and upper sacrum. These areas are located in the
, lower back. A herniated disc can affect sensory as well as motor nerves. The
client can have issues with sensation as well as problems with walking and
mobility. A ruptured disc is the most common cause of low back pain. This
occurs in as many as two-thirds of the population. Although herniated discs can
occur at any age, the most common occurrence is in men between the age of 30
and 50 years.
3) The nurse is teaching a pediatric client's family about home care following the
application of a thoracolumbar sacral orthosis (TLSO). Which information should the
nurse include? (Select all that apply.)
A) Ways to protect the skin under the brace
B) The purpose and use of the brace
C) Removal of the brace when playing outside to prevent injury
D) The number of hours a day the brace is to be worn
E) Activity restrictions when wearing the brace -- Correct Answer ✔✔ A,
B, D, E
Rationale: The purpose and use of the brace, the number of hours a day the
brace is to be worn, activity restrictions when wearing the brace, and ways to
protect the skin under the brace are all important aspects of the safe, effective
use of a brace prescribed for scoliosis. Effectiveness is increased with increased
length of uninterrupted wear, and children should be encouraged to wear the
brace as long as possible, and activities adjusted accordingly.
4) Which pharmacologic therapy should the nurse expect to be prescribed for a client
diagnosed with a herniated disc? (Select all that apply.)
A) Anticonvulsants
B) Antispasmodics
C) Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
D) Epidural injection with corticosteroids
E) Opioids -- Correct Answer ✔✔ A, B, D, E
Rationale: Appropriate pharmacologic therapy for a client with a herniated disc
includes opioids for pain, antispasmodics for muscle spasm, an anticonvulsant for
neuropathic pain, and epidural injection with corticosteroids to decrease
inflammation. TENS is not considered a pharmacologic therapy for a herniated
disc.
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
1) Which collaborative therapy should the nurse expect for a client newly diagnosed
with sciatica? (Select all that apply.)
A) Surgery
B) Antispasmodics
C) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
D) Epidural injections
E) Physical therapy -- Correct Answer ✔✔ B, C, D, E
Rationale: When treating a client newly diagnosed with sciatica, the healthcare
provider will want to reserve surgery as a last resort. NSAIDs or other
analgesics, antispasmodics, epidural injections of cortisone, and physical therapy
are first-line treatment options.
2) The nurse is preparing educational materials concerning back injuries and herniated
discs for a health fair at a local community center. Which information should the
nurse include in the educational materials? (Select all that apply.)
A) Avoid lifting objects with a twisting motion.
B) A herniated disc can affect both sensory and motor function.
C) The injury occurs most commonly in the lower back.
D) Ruptured discs are the most common cause of back pain.
E) Those between the ages of 20 and 30 are most at risk. -- Correct Answer
✔✔ A, B, C, D
Rationale: Lifting heavy objects with a twisting motion can cause rupture of the
nucleus pulposus and painful muscle spasms. Improper lifting technique is a
common cause of herniated discs. The most common sites for herniated discs
are in the lower lumbar area and upper sacrum. These areas are located in the
, lower back. A herniated disc can affect sensory as well as motor nerves. The
client can have issues with sensation as well as problems with walking and
mobility. A ruptured disc is the most common cause of low back pain. This
occurs in as many as two-thirds of the population. Although herniated discs can
occur at any age, the most common occurrence is in men between the age of 30
and 50 years.
3) The nurse is teaching a pediatric client's family about home care following the
application of a thoracolumbar sacral orthosis (TLSO). Which information should the
nurse include? (Select all that apply.)
A) Ways to protect the skin under the brace
B) The purpose and use of the brace
C) Removal of the brace when playing outside to prevent injury
D) The number of hours a day the brace is to be worn
E) Activity restrictions when wearing the brace -- Correct Answer ✔✔ A,
B, D, E
Rationale: The purpose and use of the brace, the number of hours a day the
brace is to be worn, activity restrictions when wearing the brace, and ways to
protect the skin under the brace are all important aspects of the safe, effective
use of a brace prescribed for scoliosis. Effectiveness is increased with increased
length of uninterrupted wear, and children should be encouraged to wear the
brace as long as possible, and activities adjusted accordingly.
4) Which pharmacologic therapy should the nurse expect to be prescribed for a client
diagnosed with a herniated disc? (Select all that apply.)
A) Anticonvulsants
B) Antispasmodics
C) Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
D) Epidural injection with corticosteroids
E) Opioids -- Correct Answer ✔✔ A, B, D, E
Rationale: Appropriate pharmacologic therapy for a client with a herniated disc
includes opioids for pain, antispasmodics for muscle spasm, an anticonvulsant for
neuropathic pain, and epidural injection with corticosteroids to decrease
inflammation. TENS is not considered a pharmacologic therapy for a herniated
disc.
