1
Comprehensive Exam Bank on Musculoskeletal Nursing and
Mobility Support: Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation, and
Functional Independence
Table of Contents
Topic 1: Musculoskeletal Assessment and Early Detection of Mobility Impairments ........... 2
Topic 2: Fracture Management and Post-Injury Rehabilitation......................................... 11
Topic 3: Joint Replacements and Prosthetic Rehabilitation ............................................. 20
Topic 4: Musculoskeletal Disorders – Chronic Conditions and Degenerative Diseases ..... 30
Topic 5: Mobility Support, Fall Prevention, and Assistive Devices .................................... 39
Topic 6: Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention in Clinical and Community Settings ............... 48
Topic 7: Postoperative Musculoskeletal Care and Rehabilitation ..................................... 57
Topic 8: Musculoskeletal Disorders in Pediatric and Adolescent Populations ................... 67
Topic 9: Musculoskeletal Trauma and Emergency Response .......................................... 76
Topic 10: Functional Independence and Assistive Devices in Musculoskeletal Nursing .... 85
, 2
Topic 1: Musculoskeletal Assessment and Early Detection
of Mobility Impairments
(Questions 1–20)
Question 1:
Which of the following findings during a musculoskeletal assessment is most indicative of
compartment syndrome?
A. Muscle spasms
B. Pain unrelieved by opioids and worsened by passive stretch
C. Bruising and swelling
D. Decreased range of motion
Correct Answer: B. Pain unrelieved by opioids and worsened by passive stretch
Rationale: Pain out of proportion to the injury, especially with passive movement, is a
hallmark of compartment syndrome and requires immediate intervention to prevent
permanent damage.
Question 2:
A nurse is assessing a patient's gait. What finding would indicate an abnormality?
A. Arms swing alternately with legs
B. Equal stride length
C. Foot drop with dragging of toes
D. Smooth heel-to-toe movement
, 3
Correct Answer: C. Foot drop with dragging of toes
Rationale: Foot drop is a neurological sign indicating weakness or paralysis of dorsiflexor
muscles, often due to peroneal nerve injury or neuromuscular disorders.
Question 3:
What is the primary purpose of assessing joint crepitus in a musculoskeletal exam?
A. Determine flexibility
B. Detect cartilage degeneration
C. Identify muscle wasting
D. Evaluate bone length discrepancy
Correct Answer: B. Detect cartilage degeneration
Rationale: Crepitus is a crackling or grating sound often caused by the rubbing of
degenerated cartilage surfaces in conditions like osteoarthritis.
Question 4:
Which technique should the nurse use to assess for scoliosis during a routine adolescent
screening?
A. Measure limb length
B. Perform a straight leg raise
C. Have the client bend forward and observe spinal alignment
D. Percuss along the spine
Correct Answer: C. Have the client bend forward and observe spinal alignment
, 4
Rationale: Forward bending allows visualization of asymmetry or rib hump, indicating
potential scoliosis.
Question 5:
Which laboratory result is most directly associated with bone metabolism?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Creatinine
C. Serum calcium
D. Troponin
Correct Answer: C. Serum calcium
Rationale: Calcium is vital for bone health; abnormalities may indicate bone disorders or
parathyroid issues.
Question 6:
What assessment finding is most concerning in a patient with a recent cast application on
the lower limb?
A. Skin warmth
B. Mild swelling
C. Numbness and tingling of the toes
D. Limited active movement
Correct Answer: C. Numbness and tingling of the toes
Rationale: Paresthesia may indicate neurovascular compromise, a sign of impending
compartment syndrome.
Comprehensive Exam Bank on Musculoskeletal Nursing and
Mobility Support: Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation, and
Functional Independence
Table of Contents
Topic 1: Musculoskeletal Assessment and Early Detection of Mobility Impairments ........... 2
Topic 2: Fracture Management and Post-Injury Rehabilitation......................................... 11
Topic 3: Joint Replacements and Prosthetic Rehabilitation ............................................. 20
Topic 4: Musculoskeletal Disorders – Chronic Conditions and Degenerative Diseases ..... 30
Topic 5: Mobility Support, Fall Prevention, and Assistive Devices .................................... 39
Topic 6: Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention in Clinical and Community Settings ............... 48
Topic 7: Postoperative Musculoskeletal Care and Rehabilitation ..................................... 57
Topic 8: Musculoskeletal Disorders in Pediatric and Adolescent Populations ................... 67
Topic 9: Musculoskeletal Trauma and Emergency Response .......................................... 76
Topic 10: Functional Independence and Assistive Devices in Musculoskeletal Nursing .... 85
, 2
Topic 1: Musculoskeletal Assessment and Early Detection
of Mobility Impairments
(Questions 1–20)
Question 1:
Which of the following findings during a musculoskeletal assessment is most indicative of
compartment syndrome?
A. Muscle spasms
B. Pain unrelieved by opioids and worsened by passive stretch
C. Bruising and swelling
D. Decreased range of motion
Correct Answer: B. Pain unrelieved by opioids and worsened by passive stretch
Rationale: Pain out of proportion to the injury, especially with passive movement, is a
hallmark of compartment syndrome and requires immediate intervention to prevent
permanent damage.
Question 2:
A nurse is assessing a patient's gait. What finding would indicate an abnormality?
A. Arms swing alternately with legs
B. Equal stride length
C. Foot drop with dragging of toes
D. Smooth heel-to-toe movement
, 3
Correct Answer: C. Foot drop with dragging of toes
Rationale: Foot drop is a neurological sign indicating weakness or paralysis of dorsiflexor
muscles, often due to peroneal nerve injury or neuromuscular disorders.
Question 3:
What is the primary purpose of assessing joint crepitus in a musculoskeletal exam?
A. Determine flexibility
B. Detect cartilage degeneration
C. Identify muscle wasting
D. Evaluate bone length discrepancy
Correct Answer: B. Detect cartilage degeneration
Rationale: Crepitus is a crackling or grating sound often caused by the rubbing of
degenerated cartilage surfaces in conditions like osteoarthritis.
Question 4:
Which technique should the nurse use to assess for scoliosis during a routine adolescent
screening?
A. Measure limb length
B. Perform a straight leg raise
C. Have the client bend forward and observe spinal alignment
D. Percuss along the spine
Correct Answer: C. Have the client bend forward and observe spinal alignment
, 4
Rationale: Forward bending allows visualization of asymmetry or rib hump, indicating
potential scoliosis.
Question 5:
Which laboratory result is most directly associated with bone metabolism?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Creatinine
C. Serum calcium
D. Troponin
Correct Answer: C. Serum calcium
Rationale: Calcium is vital for bone health; abnormalities may indicate bone disorders or
parathyroid issues.
Question 6:
What assessment finding is most concerning in a patient with a recent cast application on
the lower limb?
A. Skin warmth
B. Mild swelling
C. Numbness and tingling of the toes
D. Limited active movement
Correct Answer: C. Numbness and tingling of the toes
Rationale: Paresthesia may indicate neurovascular compromise, a sign of impending
compartment syndrome.
