ATI Musculoskeletal Exam
ATI MUSCULOSKELETAL EXAM INCLUDES ACCURATE AND
VERIFIED QUESTIONS COVERING ASSESSMENT AND
MANAGEMENT OF MUSCULOSKELETAL CONDITIONS SUCH AS
FRACTURES, SPRAINS, OSTEOARTHRITIS, OSTEOPOROSIS,
AMPUTATIONS, AND MOBILITY IMPAIRMENTS.
An obese client with degenerative joint disease is being managed with aspirin therapy. The
nurse determines that additional teaching is needed when which client statement is made?
a "I use heat sometimes to help reduce my pain and stiffness."
b "I frequently examine my stools for bleeding."
c "I take my aspirin when I have extreme pain or stiffness."
d "I started an exercise program to lose weight." - ANSWER-ANSWER C
Rationale: Aspirin therapy is continuous and is effective only if therapeutic blood levels are
reached. It is not taken intermittently. The other statements are appropriate self-care measures
when taking aspirin for osteoarthritis.
Non-pharmacological pain management for a client with osteoarthritis include: (Select all that
apply.)
a X-rays
b Moderate activity plan
c NSAIDs
d Application of moist heat
e Ice pack to the most painful area - ANSWER-ANSWER B AND D
Rationale: Heat, not ice, can be applied to the area, and moist heat is most effective at reducing
pain and inflammation. A common approach to physical therapy includes paraffin wax
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treatments, where the client inserts the painful joint into warm liquid paraffin, which holds in
the heat for an extended period of time and can be very comforting. Joints tend to stiffen and
become more painful during periods of inactivity, so a moderate activity plan can help to
prevent this. NSAIDs may be administered, but this is pharmacological treatment, not non-
pharmacological treatment. X-rays may be performed for diagnosis, but do not treat the pain.
The nurse collects data from a client with suspected osteoarthritis and confirms which
manifestations of osteoarthritis?
a Elevated sedimentation rate
b Dull, aching pain in the joints
c Elevated white blood cell count
d Positive rheumatoid factor - ANSWER-ANSWER B
The nurse is teaching a client about osteoarthritis and the risk factors for developing the
disease. The nurse includes what information about primary osteoarthritis risks?
a Age
b Trauma
c Endocrine disorders
d Joint instability - ANSWER-ANSWER A
Rationale: Age is a risk factor for developing primary osteoarthritis. Trauma, endocrine
disorders, and joint instability are risks for developing secondary osteoarthritis
The nurse selects the nursing diagnosis of self-care deficit for a client with osteoarthritis based
on what observation?
a The client drove to the office.
b The client's hair is combed.
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, ATI Musculoskeletal Exam
c The client is wearing loafers without socks
.d The client's shirt is wrinkled. - ANSWER-ANSWER C
Rationale: Clients with OA have difficulty with some aspects of getting dressed, particularly
putting on socks. The nurse would suggest an assistive device to help the client so that the skin
of the feet remains intact. Driving to the office and combed hair are signs that the client is
functioning independently. A wrinkled shirt may or may not mean a self-care deficit. A dirty shirt
would be more concerning than a wrinkled one.
The nurse is caring for a client with osteoarthritis and is making suggestions about obtaining
assistive devices to aide in activities of daily living. The nurse is assisting the client to meet
which goal?
a Prolong independence.
b Decrease painful stimuli.
c Prevent contractures.
d Maintain a safe environment. - ANSWER-ANSWER A
A nurse is providing a preventive teaching discussion with a client at risk for osteoarthritis.
Which guideline should be included in this discussion related to exercise?
a Exercise is not recommended
b Perform heavy weightlifting exercises three times per week
c If there is pain with exercise, keep going, this is building muscle
d Participate in regular exercise, including walking or swimming - ANSWER-ANSWER D
The nurse is planning care for a client with osteoarthritis. Which potential problem is priority for
the nurse to address?(Select all that apply.)
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a Chronic pain
b Impaired physical mobility
c Impaired cardiac output
d Fluid volume deficite Impaired skin integrity - ANSWER-ANSWER A and B
The nurse is providing education at a community health fair about osteoarthritis. Which are the
general clinical manifestations associated with osteoarthritis that the nurse should include
when providing this education?(Select all that apply.)
a Pain and stiffness at night
b Mild fever
c Joint pain with activity
d Crepitus with movement of joint
e Abrupt onset - ANSWER-ANSWER A, B and C
RationaleJoint pain with activity, grating or crepitus noted with movement, and pain and
stiffness with prolonged inactivity are general manifestations of osteoarthritis.Mild fever is
associated with rheumatoid arthritis, not osteoarthritis.General manifestations of osteoarthritis
include a gradual onset, not an abrupt onset.
The nurse is providing education to a client who is scheduled for an osteotomy. Which
information should the nurse include about this procedure?
a The procedure will stop osteoarthritis from progressing.
b Realignment of the joint will occur.
c Excess debris will be flushed out.
d The joint will be reconstructed. - ANSWER-ANSWER B
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ATI MUSCULOSKELETAL EXAM INCLUDES ACCURATE AND
VERIFIED QUESTIONS COVERING ASSESSMENT AND
MANAGEMENT OF MUSCULOSKELETAL CONDITIONS SUCH AS
FRACTURES, SPRAINS, OSTEOARTHRITIS, OSTEOPOROSIS,
AMPUTATIONS, AND MOBILITY IMPAIRMENTS.
An obese client with degenerative joint disease is being managed with aspirin therapy. The
nurse determines that additional teaching is needed when which client statement is made?
a "I use heat sometimes to help reduce my pain and stiffness."
b "I frequently examine my stools for bleeding."
c "I take my aspirin when I have extreme pain or stiffness."
d "I started an exercise program to lose weight." - ANSWER-ANSWER C
Rationale: Aspirin therapy is continuous and is effective only if therapeutic blood levels are
reached. It is not taken intermittently. The other statements are appropriate self-care measures
when taking aspirin for osteoarthritis.
Non-pharmacological pain management for a client with osteoarthritis include: (Select all that
apply.)
a X-rays
b Moderate activity plan
c NSAIDs
d Application of moist heat
e Ice pack to the most painful area - ANSWER-ANSWER B AND D
Rationale: Heat, not ice, can be applied to the area, and moist heat is most effective at reducing
pain and inflammation. A common approach to physical therapy includes paraffin wax
1|Page
, ATI Musculoskeletal Exam
treatments, where the client inserts the painful joint into warm liquid paraffin, which holds in
the heat for an extended period of time and can be very comforting. Joints tend to stiffen and
become more painful during periods of inactivity, so a moderate activity plan can help to
prevent this. NSAIDs may be administered, but this is pharmacological treatment, not non-
pharmacological treatment. X-rays may be performed for diagnosis, but do not treat the pain.
The nurse collects data from a client with suspected osteoarthritis and confirms which
manifestations of osteoarthritis?
a Elevated sedimentation rate
b Dull, aching pain in the joints
c Elevated white blood cell count
d Positive rheumatoid factor - ANSWER-ANSWER B
The nurse is teaching a client about osteoarthritis and the risk factors for developing the
disease. The nurse includes what information about primary osteoarthritis risks?
a Age
b Trauma
c Endocrine disorders
d Joint instability - ANSWER-ANSWER A
Rationale: Age is a risk factor for developing primary osteoarthritis. Trauma, endocrine
disorders, and joint instability are risks for developing secondary osteoarthritis
The nurse selects the nursing diagnosis of self-care deficit for a client with osteoarthritis based
on what observation?
a The client drove to the office.
b The client's hair is combed.
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, ATI Musculoskeletal Exam
c The client is wearing loafers without socks
.d The client's shirt is wrinkled. - ANSWER-ANSWER C
Rationale: Clients with OA have difficulty with some aspects of getting dressed, particularly
putting on socks. The nurse would suggest an assistive device to help the client so that the skin
of the feet remains intact. Driving to the office and combed hair are signs that the client is
functioning independently. A wrinkled shirt may or may not mean a self-care deficit. A dirty shirt
would be more concerning than a wrinkled one.
The nurse is caring for a client with osteoarthritis and is making suggestions about obtaining
assistive devices to aide in activities of daily living. The nurse is assisting the client to meet
which goal?
a Prolong independence.
b Decrease painful stimuli.
c Prevent contractures.
d Maintain a safe environment. - ANSWER-ANSWER A
A nurse is providing a preventive teaching discussion with a client at risk for osteoarthritis.
Which guideline should be included in this discussion related to exercise?
a Exercise is not recommended
b Perform heavy weightlifting exercises three times per week
c If there is pain with exercise, keep going, this is building muscle
d Participate in regular exercise, including walking or swimming - ANSWER-ANSWER D
The nurse is planning care for a client with osteoarthritis. Which potential problem is priority for
the nurse to address?(Select all that apply.)
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, ATI Musculoskeletal Exam
a Chronic pain
b Impaired physical mobility
c Impaired cardiac output
d Fluid volume deficite Impaired skin integrity - ANSWER-ANSWER A and B
The nurse is providing education at a community health fair about osteoarthritis. Which are the
general clinical manifestations associated with osteoarthritis that the nurse should include
when providing this education?(Select all that apply.)
a Pain and stiffness at night
b Mild fever
c Joint pain with activity
d Crepitus with movement of joint
e Abrupt onset - ANSWER-ANSWER A, B and C
RationaleJoint pain with activity, grating or crepitus noted with movement, and pain and
stiffness with prolonged inactivity are general manifestations of osteoarthritis.Mild fever is
associated with rheumatoid arthritis, not osteoarthritis.General manifestations of osteoarthritis
include a gradual onset, not an abrupt onset.
The nurse is providing education to a client who is scheduled for an osteotomy. Which
information should the nurse include about this procedure?
a The procedure will stop osteoarthritis from progressing.
b Realignment of the joint will occur.
c Excess debris will be flushed out.
d The joint will be reconstructed. - ANSWER-ANSWER B
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