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ATI MED SURG MUSCULOSKELETAL EXAM 2025/2026
ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH
DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
(100% CORRECT ANSWERS) /ALREADY GRADED A+
//BRAND NEW!!||LATEST EXAM||
A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client
who reports pain in her left leg following a motor-vehicle
crash. The client's left leg has bruising, swelling, and
displacement of the bones. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take first?
Obtain an X-ray of the injured leg
Apply ice packs to the affected area
Check neurovascular status distal to the injury
Elevate the affected leg on 2 pillows - Answer-Check
neurovascular status distal to the injury
Rationale: The nurse should apply the safety and risk-
education priority-setting framework, which assigns priority
to the factor or situation posing the greatest safety risk to
the client. When there are several risks to client safety, the
one posing the greatest threat is the highest priority. The
nurse should use Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the ABC
priority-setting framework, and/or nursing knowledge to
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identify which risk poses the greatest threat to the client.
The greatest risk to this client is impaired circulation to the
limb from trauma and the resulting edema; therefore, the
first action is to check the circulation, sensation, and
movement distal to the level of the injury. If the nurse
notes a weak or absent pulse distal to the injury, the limb's
circulation is compromised, and immediate action is
critical.
A nurse is assessing a client who has osteoarthritis. This
client's medical record indicates the presence of
Heberden's nodes. Which of the following findings should
the nurse expect?
Inflamed, fluid-filled sacs over the joints
Clubbing of the fingernails
Flexion contracture of the fingers
Hard lumps over the joints of the fingers - Answer-Hard
lumps over the joints of the fingers
Rationale: Heberden's nodes are hard, bony lumps or
nodules in the joints of the fingers.
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A nurse is providing preoperative teaching for a client who
is scheduled for total knee arthroplasty. Which of the
following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
"I will wear a continuous movement machine on my knee
for 24 hr a day."
"I should avoid taking NSAID medications for pain after
surgery."
"I should wear elastic stockings on both of my legs."
"I will begin exercising my legs the day after surgery." -
Answer-"I should wear elastic stockings on both of my
legs."
Rationale: The purpose of elastic stockings is to prevent
venous thromboembolism, which is a common
complication following orthopedic surgery. Therefore, the
nurse should identify this statement as an understanding
of the teaching.
A nurse is teaching a group of clients at a senior center
about the risk factors for osteoporosis. Which of the
following statements should the nurse include in the
teaching?
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"Extended periods of immobility increase your risk of
osteoporosis."
"Prolonged periods of sun exposure increase your risk of
osteoporosis."
"Eating a diet high in protein can reduce your risk of
osteoporosis."
"Corticosteroid therapy will reduce your risk of
osteoporosis." - Answer-"Extended periods of immobility
increase your risk of osteoporosis."
Rationale: Osteoporosis is a disorder of weakened bones
due to a loss of bone mass and a change in bone
structure. Immobility can result in osteoporosis; therefore,
weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, can help
prevent osteoporosis.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has
osteoarthritis. Which of the following instructions should
the nurse include?
"Rest frequently after periods of activity."
"Perform your exercises only on days that you feel good."
"Perform your exercises after applying cold packs to your
joints."
ATI MED SURG MUSCULOSKELETAL EXAM 2025/2026
ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH
DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
(100% CORRECT ANSWERS) /ALREADY GRADED A+
//BRAND NEW!!||LATEST EXAM||
A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client
who reports pain in her left leg following a motor-vehicle
crash. The client's left leg has bruising, swelling, and
displacement of the bones. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take first?
Obtain an X-ray of the injured leg
Apply ice packs to the affected area
Check neurovascular status distal to the injury
Elevate the affected leg on 2 pillows - Answer-Check
neurovascular status distal to the injury
Rationale: The nurse should apply the safety and risk-
education priority-setting framework, which assigns priority
to the factor or situation posing the greatest safety risk to
the client. When there are several risks to client safety, the
one posing the greatest threat is the highest priority. The
nurse should use Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the ABC
priority-setting framework, and/or nursing knowledge to
,2|Page
identify which risk poses the greatest threat to the client.
The greatest risk to this client is impaired circulation to the
limb from trauma and the resulting edema; therefore, the
first action is to check the circulation, sensation, and
movement distal to the level of the injury. If the nurse
notes a weak or absent pulse distal to the injury, the limb's
circulation is compromised, and immediate action is
critical.
A nurse is assessing a client who has osteoarthritis. This
client's medical record indicates the presence of
Heberden's nodes. Which of the following findings should
the nurse expect?
Inflamed, fluid-filled sacs over the joints
Clubbing of the fingernails
Flexion contracture of the fingers
Hard lumps over the joints of the fingers - Answer-Hard
lumps over the joints of the fingers
Rationale: Heberden's nodes are hard, bony lumps or
nodules in the joints of the fingers.
,3|Page
A nurse is providing preoperative teaching for a client who
is scheduled for total knee arthroplasty. Which of the
following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
"I will wear a continuous movement machine on my knee
for 24 hr a day."
"I should avoid taking NSAID medications for pain after
surgery."
"I should wear elastic stockings on both of my legs."
"I will begin exercising my legs the day after surgery." -
Answer-"I should wear elastic stockings on both of my
legs."
Rationale: The purpose of elastic stockings is to prevent
venous thromboembolism, which is a common
complication following orthopedic surgery. Therefore, the
nurse should identify this statement as an understanding
of the teaching.
A nurse is teaching a group of clients at a senior center
about the risk factors for osteoporosis. Which of the
following statements should the nurse include in the
teaching?
, 4|Page
"Extended periods of immobility increase your risk of
osteoporosis."
"Prolonged periods of sun exposure increase your risk of
osteoporosis."
"Eating a diet high in protein can reduce your risk of
osteoporosis."
"Corticosteroid therapy will reduce your risk of
osteoporosis." - Answer-"Extended periods of immobility
increase your risk of osteoporosis."
Rationale: Osteoporosis is a disorder of weakened bones
due to a loss of bone mass and a change in bone
structure. Immobility can result in osteoporosis; therefore,
weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, can help
prevent osteoporosis.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has
osteoarthritis. Which of the following instructions should
the nurse include?
"Rest frequently after periods of activity."
"Perform your exercises only on days that you feel good."
"Perform your exercises after applying cold packs to your
joints."
