Musculoskeletal Test Bank Questions with
Verified Answers, Exams
A patient with acute osteomyelitis of the left femur is hospitalized for regional antibiotic
irrigation. Which intervention will be included in the initial plan of care?
a. Immobilization of the left leg
b. Positioning the left leg in flexion
c. Assisted weight-bearing ambulation
d. Quadriceps-setting exercise repetitions a. Immobilization of the left leg
Immobilization of the affected leg helps decrease pain and reduce the risk for pathologic
fractures. Weight-bearing exercise increases the risk for pathologic fractures. Flexion of the
affected limb is avoided to prevent contractures.
A 50-year-old patient is being discharged after a week of IV antibiotic therapy for acute
osteomyelitis in the right leg. Which information will be included in the discharge teaching?
a. How to apply warm packs to the leg to reduce pain
b. How to monitor and care for the long-term IV catheter
c. The need for daily aerobic exercise to help maintain muscle strength
d. The reason for taking oral antibiotics for 7 to 10 days after discharge b. How to monitor
and care for the long-term IV catheter
The patient will be on IV antibiotics for several months, and the patient will need to recognize
signs of infection at the IV site and how to care for the catheter during daily activities such as
bathing. IV antibiotics rather than oral antibiotics are used for acute osteomyelitis. Patients are
instructed to avoid exercise and heat application because these will increase swelling and the
risk for spreading infection.
A 67-year-old patient is receiving IV antibiotics at home to treat chronic osteomyelitis of the left
femur. The nurse chooses a nursing diagnosis of ineffective health maintenance when the nurse
finds that the patient
a. is frustrated with the length of treatment required.
b. takes and records the oral temperature twice a day.
c. is unable to plantar flex the foot on the affected side.
d. uses crutches to avoid weight bearing on the affected leg. c. is unable to plantar flex the
foot on the affected side.
Foot drop is an indication that the foot is not being supported in a neutral position by a splint.
Using crutches and monitoring the oral temperature are appropriate self-care activities.
1|Page
,Frustration with the length of treatment is not an indicator of ineffective health maintenance of
the osteomyelitis.
The nurse instructs a patient who has osteosarcoma of the tibia about a scheduled above-the-
knee amputation. Which statement by a patient indicates that additional patient teaching is
needed?
a. I will need to participate in physical therapy after surgery.
b. I did not have this bone cancer until my leg broke a week ago.
c. I wish that I did not have to have chemotherapy after this surgery.
d. I can use the patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) to control postoperative pain. b. I did not
have this bone cancer until my leg broke a week ago.
Osteogenic sarcoma may be diagnosed following a fracture, but it is not caused by the injury.
The other patient statements indicate that patient teaching has been effective.
A 23-year-old patient with a history of muscular dystrophy is hospitalized with pneumonia.
Which nursing action will be included in the plan of care?
a. Logroll the patient every 2 hours.
b. Assist the patient with ambulation.
c. Discuss the need for genetic testing with the patient.
d. Teach the patient about the muscle biopsy procedure. b. Assist the patient with
ambulation.
Because the goal for the patient with muscular dystrophy is to keep the patient active for as
long as possible, assisting the patient to ambulate will be part of the care plan. The patient will
not require logrolling. Muscle biopsies are necessary to confirm the diagnosis but are not
necessary for a patient who already has a diagnosis. There is no need for genetic testing
because the patient already knows the diagnosis.
An appropriate nursing intervention for a patient who has acute low back pain and muscle
spasms is to teach the patient to
a. keep both feet flat on the floor when prolonged standing is required.
b. twist gently from side to side to maintain range of motion in the spine.
c. keep the head elevated slightly and flex the knees when resting in bed.
d. avoid the use of cold packs because they will exacerbate the muscle spasms. c. keep the
head elevated slightly and flex the knees when resting in bed.
Resting with the head elevated and knees flexed will reduce the strain on the back and decrease
muscle spasms. Twisting from side to side will increase tension on the lumbar area. A pillow
placed under the upper back will cause strain on the lumbar spine. Alternate application of cold
and heat should be used to decrease pain.
2|Page
,A 39-year-old patient whose work involves frequent lifting has a history of chronic back pain.
After the nurse has taught the patient about correct body mechanics, which patient statement
indicates that the teaching has been effective?
a. I will keep my back straight to lift anything higher than my waist.
b. I will begin doing exercises to strengthen the muscles of my back.
c. I can try to sleep with my hips and knees extended to prevent back strain.
d. I can tell my boss that I need to change to a job where I can work at a desk. b. I will begin
doing exercises to strengthen the muscles of my back.
Exercises can help strengthen the muscles that support the back. Flexion of the hips and knees
places less strain on the back. Modifications in the way the patient lifts boxes are needed, but
sitting for prolonged periods can aggravate back pain. The patient should not lift above the level
of the elbows.
The nurse should reposition the patient who has just had a laminectomy and diskectomy by
a. instructing the patient to move the legs before turning the rest of the body.
b. having the patient turn by grasping the side rails and pulling the shoulders over.
c. placing a pillow between the patients legs and turning the entire body as a unit.
d. turning the patients head and shoulders first, followed by the hips, legs, and feet. c.
placing a pillow between the patients legs and turning the entire body as a unit.
The spine should be kept in correct alignment after laminectomy. The other positions will create
misalignment of the spine.
The nurse will determine that more teaching is needed if a patient with discomfort from a
bunion says, I will
a. give away my high-heeled shoes.
b. take ibuprofen (Motrin) if I need it.
c. use the bunion pad to cushion the area.
d. only wear sandals, no closed-toe shoes. d. only wear sandals, no closed-toe shoes.
The patient can wear shoes that have a wide forefoot. The other patient statements indicate
that the teaching has been effective.
. An assessment finding for a 55-year-old patient that alerts the nurse to the presence of
osteoporosis is
a. a measurable loss of height.
b. the presence of bowed legs.
c. the aversion to dairy products.
d. a statement about frequent falls. a. a measurable loss of height.
3|Page
, Osteoporosis occurring in the vertebrae produces a gradual loss of height. Bowed legs are
associated with osteomalacia. Low intake of dairy products is a risk factor for osteoporosis, but
it does not indicate that osteoporosis is present. Frequent falls increase the risk for fractures but
are not an indicator of osteoporosis.
A 54-year-old woman who recently reached menopause and has a family history of osteoporosis
is diagnosed with osteopenia following densitometry testing. In teaching the woman about her
osteoporosis, the nurse explains that
a. estrogen replacement therapy must be started to prevent rapid progression to osteoporosis.
b. continuous, low-dose corticosteroid treatment is effective in stopping the course of
osteoporosis.
c. with a family history of osteoporosis, there is no way to prevent or slow gradual bone
resorption.
d. calcium loss from bones can be slowed by increasing calcium intake and weight-bearing
exercise. d. calcium loss from bones can be slowed by increasing calcium intake and
weight-bearing exercise.
Progression of osteoporosis can be slowed by increasing calcium intake and weight-bearing
exercise. Estrogen replacement therapy does help prevent osteoporosis, but it is not the only
treatment and is not appropriate for some patients. Corticosteroid therapy increases the risk for
osteoporosis.
Which menu choice by a patient with osteoporosis indicates that the nurses teaching about
appropriate diet has been effective?
a. Pancakes with syrup and bacon
b. Whole wheat toast and fresh fruit
c. Egg-white omelet and a half grapefruit
d. Oatmeal with skim milk and fruit yogurt d. Oatmeal with skim milk and fruit yogurt
Skim milk and yogurt are high in calcium. The other choices do not contain any high-calcium
foods.
The nurse evaluating effectiveness of prescribed calcitonin (Cibacalcin) and ibandronate
(Boniva) for a patient with Pagets disease will consider the patients
a. pain level.
b. oral intake.
c. daily weight.
d. grip strength. a. pain level.
Bone pain is one of the common early manifestations of Pagets disease, and the nurse should
assess the pain level to determine whether the treatment is effective. The other information will
4|Page
Verified Answers, Exams
A patient with acute osteomyelitis of the left femur is hospitalized for regional antibiotic
irrigation. Which intervention will be included in the initial plan of care?
a. Immobilization of the left leg
b. Positioning the left leg in flexion
c. Assisted weight-bearing ambulation
d. Quadriceps-setting exercise repetitions a. Immobilization of the left leg
Immobilization of the affected leg helps decrease pain and reduce the risk for pathologic
fractures. Weight-bearing exercise increases the risk for pathologic fractures. Flexion of the
affected limb is avoided to prevent contractures.
A 50-year-old patient is being discharged after a week of IV antibiotic therapy for acute
osteomyelitis in the right leg. Which information will be included in the discharge teaching?
a. How to apply warm packs to the leg to reduce pain
b. How to monitor and care for the long-term IV catheter
c. The need for daily aerobic exercise to help maintain muscle strength
d. The reason for taking oral antibiotics for 7 to 10 days after discharge b. How to monitor
and care for the long-term IV catheter
The patient will be on IV antibiotics for several months, and the patient will need to recognize
signs of infection at the IV site and how to care for the catheter during daily activities such as
bathing. IV antibiotics rather than oral antibiotics are used for acute osteomyelitis. Patients are
instructed to avoid exercise and heat application because these will increase swelling and the
risk for spreading infection.
A 67-year-old patient is receiving IV antibiotics at home to treat chronic osteomyelitis of the left
femur. The nurse chooses a nursing diagnosis of ineffective health maintenance when the nurse
finds that the patient
a. is frustrated with the length of treatment required.
b. takes and records the oral temperature twice a day.
c. is unable to plantar flex the foot on the affected side.
d. uses crutches to avoid weight bearing on the affected leg. c. is unable to plantar flex the
foot on the affected side.
Foot drop is an indication that the foot is not being supported in a neutral position by a splint.
Using crutches and monitoring the oral temperature are appropriate self-care activities.
1|Page
,Frustration with the length of treatment is not an indicator of ineffective health maintenance of
the osteomyelitis.
The nurse instructs a patient who has osteosarcoma of the tibia about a scheduled above-the-
knee amputation. Which statement by a patient indicates that additional patient teaching is
needed?
a. I will need to participate in physical therapy after surgery.
b. I did not have this bone cancer until my leg broke a week ago.
c. I wish that I did not have to have chemotherapy after this surgery.
d. I can use the patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) to control postoperative pain. b. I did not
have this bone cancer until my leg broke a week ago.
Osteogenic sarcoma may be diagnosed following a fracture, but it is not caused by the injury.
The other patient statements indicate that patient teaching has been effective.
A 23-year-old patient with a history of muscular dystrophy is hospitalized with pneumonia.
Which nursing action will be included in the plan of care?
a. Logroll the patient every 2 hours.
b. Assist the patient with ambulation.
c. Discuss the need for genetic testing with the patient.
d. Teach the patient about the muscle biopsy procedure. b. Assist the patient with
ambulation.
Because the goal for the patient with muscular dystrophy is to keep the patient active for as
long as possible, assisting the patient to ambulate will be part of the care plan. The patient will
not require logrolling. Muscle biopsies are necessary to confirm the diagnosis but are not
necessary for a patient who already has a diagnosis. There is no need for genetic testing
because the patient already knows the diagnosis.
An appropriate nursing intervention for a patient who has acute low back pain and muscle
spasms is to teach the patient to
a. keep both feet flat on the floor when prolonged standing is required.
b. twist gently from side to side to maintain range of motion in the spine.
c. keep the head elevated slightly and flex the knees when resting in bed.
d. avoid the use of cold packs because they will exacerbate the muscle spasms. c. keep the
head elevated slightly and flex the knees when resting in bed.
Resting with the head elevated and knees flexed will reduce the strain on the back and decrease
muscle spasms. Twisting from side to side will increase tension on the lumbar area. A pillow
placed under the upper back will cause strain on the lumbar spine. Alternate application of cold
and heat should be used to decrease pain.
2|Page
,A 39-year-old patient whose work involves frequent lifting has a history of chronic back pain.
After the nurse has taught the patient about correct body mechanics, which patient statement
indicates that the teaching has been effective?
a. I will keep my back straight to lift anything higher than my waist.
b. I will begin doing exercises to strengthen the muscles of my back.
c. I can try to sleep with my hips and knees extended to prevent back strain.
d. I can tell my boss that I need to change to a job where I can work at a desk. b. I will begin
doing exercises to strengthen the muscles of my back.
Exercises can help strengthen the muscles that support the back. Flexion of the hips and knees
places less strain on the back. Modifications in the way the patient lifts boxes are needed, but
sitting for prolonged periods can aggravate back pain. The patient should not lift above the level
of the elbows.
The nurse should reposition the patient who has just had a laminectomy and diskectomy by
a. instructing the patient to move the legs before turning the rest of the body.
b. having the patient turn by grasping the side rails and pulling the shoulders over.
c. placing a pillow between the patients legs and turning the entire body as a unit.
d. turning the patients head and shoulders first, followed by the hips, legs, and feet. c.
placing a pillow between the patients legs and turning the entire body as a unit.
The spine should be kept in correct alignment after laminectomy. The other positions will create
misalignment of the spine.
The nurse will determine that more teaching is needed if a patient with discomfort from a
bunion says, I will
a. give away my high-heeled shoes.
b. take ibuprofen (Motrin) if I need it.
c. use the bunion pad to cushion the area.
d. only wear sandals, no closed-toe shoes. d. only wear sandals, no closed-toe shoes.
The patient can wear shoes that have a wide forefoot. The other patient statements indicate
that the teaching has been effective.
. An assessment finding for a 55-year-old patient that alerts the nurse to the presence of
osteoporosis is
a. a measurable loss of height.
b. the presence of bowed legs.
c. the aversion to dairy products.
d. a statement about frequent falls. a. a measurable loss of height.
3|Page
, Osteoporosis occurring in the vertebrae produces a gradual loss of height. Bowed legs are
associated with osteomalacia. Low intake of dairy products is a risk factor for osteoporosis, but
it does not indicate that osteoporosis is present. Frequent falls increase the risk for fractures but
are not an indicator of osteoporosis.
A 54-year-old woman who recently reached menopause and has a family history of osteoporosis
is diagnosed with osteopenia following densitometry testing. In teaching the woman about her
osteoporosis, the nurse explains that
a. estrogen replacement therapy must be started to prevent rapid progression to osteoporosis.
b. continuous, low-dose corticosteroid treatment is effective in stopping the course of
osteoporosis.
c. with a family history of osteoporosis, there is no way to prevent or slow gradual bone
resorption.
d. calcium loss from bones can be slowed by increasing calcium intake and weight-bearing
exercise. d. calcium loss from bones can be slowed by increasing calcium intake and
weight-bearing exercise.
Progression of osteoporosis can be slowed by increasing calcium intake and weight-bearing
exercise. Estrogen replacement therapy does help prevent osteoporosis, but it is not the only
treatment and is not appropriate for some patients. Corticosteroid therapy increases the risk for
osteoporosis.
Which menu choice by a patient with osteoporosis indicates that the nurses teaching about
appropriate diet has been effective?
a. Pancakes with syrup and bacon
b. Whole wheat toast and fresh fruit
c. Egg-white omelet and a half grapefruit
d. Oatmeal with skim milk and fruit yogurt d. Oatmeal with skim milk and fruit yogurt
Skim milk and yogurt are high in calcium. The other choices do not contain any high-calcium
foods.
The nurse evaluating effectiveness of prescribed calcitonin (Cibacalcin) and ibandronate
(Boniva) for a patient with Pagets disease will consider the patients
a. pain level.
b. oral intake.
c. daily weight.
d. grip strength. a. pain level.
Bone pain is one of the common early manifestations of Pagets disease, and the nurse should
assess the pain level to determine whether the treatment is effective. The other information will
4|Page
