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ATI MEDSURG 2 MUSCULOSKELETAL EXAM NEWEST 2025/2026
ACTUAL EXAM WITH COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS (100% VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY
GRADED A+| ||PROFESSOR VERIFIED||
A patient has suffered a muscle strain and is complaining of pain
that she rates at 6 on a 10-point scale. The nurse should
recommend what action?
A) Taking an opioid analgesic as ordered
B) Applying a cold pack to the injured site
C) Performing passive ROM exercises
D) Applying a heating pad to the affected muscle - ANSWER-Ans:
B Feedback: Most pain can be relieved by elevating the involved
part, applying cold packs, and administering analgesics as
prescribed. Heat may exacerbate the pain by increasing blood
circulation, and ROM exercises would likely be painful. Analgesia
is likely necessary, but NSAIDs would be more appropriate than
opioids.
A patient has had a brace prescribed to facilitate recovery from a
knee injury. What are the potential therapeutic benefits of a
brace? Select all that apply.
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A) Preventing additional injury
B) Immobilizing prior to surgery
C) Providing support
D) Controlling movement
E) Promoting bone remodeling - ANSWER-Ans: A, C, D
Feedback: Braces (i.e., orthoses) are used to provide support,
control movement, and prevent additional injury. They are not
used to immobilize body parts or to facilitate bone remodeling.
A nurse is assessing the neurovascular status of a patient who
has had a leg cast recently applied. The nurse is unable to
palpate the patient's dorsalis pedis or posterior tibial pulse and
the patient's foot is pale. What is the nurse's most appropriate
action?
A) Warm the patient's foot and determine whether circulation
improves.
B) Reposition the patient with the affected foot dependent.
C) Reassess the patient's neurovascular status in 15 minutes.
D) Promptly inform the primary care provider. - ANSWER-Ans: D
Feedback: Signs of neurovascular dysfunction warrant immediate
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medical follow-up. It would be unsafe to delay. Warming the foot
or repositioning the patient may be of some benefit, but the care
provider should be informed first.
A physician writes an order to discontinue skeletal traction on an
orthopedic patient. The nurse should anticipate what subsequent
intervention?
A) Application of a walking boot
B) Application of a cast
C) Education on how to use crutches
D) Passive range of motion exercises - ANSWER-B
After skeletal traction is discontinued, internal fixation, casts, or
splints are then used to immobilize and support the healing bone.
The use of a walking boot, crutches, or ROM exercises could
easily damage delicate, remodeled bone.
A patient has just begun been receiving skeletal traction and the
nurse is aware that muscles in the patient's affected limb are
spastic. How does this change in muscle tone affect the patient's
traction prescription?
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A) Traction must temporarily be aligned in a slightly different
direction.
B) Extra weight is needed initially to keep the limb in proper
alignment.
C) A lighter weight should be initially used.
D) Weight will temporarily alternate between heavier and lighter
weights. - ANSWER-Ans: B Feedback: The traction weights
applied initially must overcome the shortening spasms of the
affected muscles. As the muscles relax, the traction weight is
reduced to prevent fracture dislocation and to promote healing.
Weights never alternate between heavy and light.
A nurse is planning the care of a patient who will require a
prolonged course of skeletal traction. When planning this patient's
care, the nurse should prioritize interventions related to which of
the following risk nursing diagnoses?
A) Risk for Impaired Skin Integrity
B) Risk for Falls
C) Risk for Imbalanced Fluid Volume
ATI MEDSURG 2 MUSCULOSKELETAL EXAM NEWEST 2025/2026
ACTUAL EXAM WITH COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS (100% VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY
GRADED A+| ||PROFESSOR VERIFIED||
A patient has suffered a muscle strain and is complaining of pain
that she rates at 6 on a 10-point scale. The nurse should
recommend what action?
A) Taking an opioid analgesic as ordered
B) Applying a cold pack to the injured site
C) Performing passive ROM exercises
D) Applying a heating pad to the affected muscle - ANSWER-Ans:
B Feedback: Most pain can be relieved by elevating the involved
part, applying cold packs, and administering analgesics as
prescribed. Heat may exacerbate the pain by increasing blood
circulation, and ROM exercises would likely be painful. Analgesia
is likely necessary, but NSAIDs would be more appropriate than
opioids.
A patient has had a brace prescribed to facilitate recovery from a
knee injury. What are the potential therapeutic benefits of a
brace? Select all that apply.
,2|Page
A) Preventing additional injury
B) Immobilizing prior to surgery
C) Providing support
D) Controlling movement
E) Promoting bone remodeling - ANSWER-Ans: A, C, D
Feedback: Braces (i.e., orthoses) are used to provide support,
control movement, and prevent additional injury. They are not
used to immobilize body parts or to facilitate bone remodeling.
A nurse is assessing the neurovascular status of a patient who
has had a leg cast recently applied. The nurse is unable to
palpate the patient's dorsalis pedis or posterior tibial pulse and
the patient's foot is pale. What is the nurse's most appropriate
action?
A) Warm the patient's foot and determine whether circulation
improves.
B) Reposition the patient with the affected foot dependent.
C) Reassess the patient's neurovascular status in 15 minutes.
D) Promptly inform the primary care provider. - ANSWER-Ans: D
Feedback: Signs of neurovascular dysfunction warrant immediate
,3|Page
medical follow-up. It would be unsafe to delay. Warming the foot
or repositioning the patient may be of some benefit, but the care
provider should be informed first.
A physician writes an order to discontinue skeletal traction on an
orthopedic patient. The nurse should anticipate what subsequent
intervention?
A) Application of a walking boot
B) Application of a cast
C) Education on how to use crutches
D) Passive range of motion exercises - ANSWER-B
After skeletal traction is discontinued, internal fixation, casts, or
splints are then used to immobilize and support the healing bone.
The use of a walking boot, crutches, or ROM exercises could
easily damage delicate, remodeled bone.
A patient has just begun been receiving skeletal traction and the
nurse is aware that muscles in the patient's affected limb are
spastic. How does this change in muscle tone affect the patient's
traction prescription?
, 4|Page
A) Traction must temporarily be aligned in a slightly different
direction.
B) Extra weight is needed initially to keep the limb in proper
alignment.
C) A lighter weight should be initially used.
D) Weight will temporarily alternate between heavier and lighter
weights. - ANSWER-Ans: B Feedback: The traction weights
applied initially must overcome the shortening spasms of the
affected muscles. As the muscles relax, the traction weight is
reduced to prevent fracture dislocation and to promote healing.
Weights never alternate between heavy and light.
A nurse is planning the care of a patient who will require a
prolonged course of skeletal traction. When planning this patient's
care, the nurse should prioritize interventions related to which of
the following risk nursing diagnoses?
A) Risk for Impaired Skin Integrity
B) Risk for Falls
C) Risk for Imbalanced Fluid Volume
