RN MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM EAQ QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2022
Why is Phalen’s test performed in a client?
To diagnose atrophy
To diagnose bone tumor
To detect rotator cuff injuries
To detect carpal tunnel syndrome
A client injures an amphiarthrodial joint. Which joint did the client injure?
Knee joint
Pelvic joint
Elbow joint
Cranial joint
A client admitted to the hospital with an acute episode of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) asks why
physical therapy has not been prescribed. What is the most appropriate nursing response?
"Your primary healthcare provider must have forgotten to prescribe it."
"Your condition is not severe enough to have physical therapy approved."
"Your joints are still inflamed, and physical therapy can be harmful."
"Physical therapy is not helpful for persons who suffer from RA."
A nurse is providing postoperative teaching to a client who is scheduled to have an above-the-
knee amputation. The client will use crutches during the postoperative period. Which activity
will prepare the client for crutch walking?
Lifting weights
Changing bed positions
Caring for the residual limb
Performing phantom limb exercises
A nurse is caring for a client with a below-the-knee amputation. What should the nurse
encourage the client to do to prepare the residual limb for a prosthesis?
Abduct the residual limb when ambulating.
Dangle the residual limb off the bed frequently.
Soak the residual limb in warm water twice a day.
Press the end of the residual limb against a pillow periodically.
Which diagnostic study is used to investigate the cause of an inflamed joint and determines a
client’s response to antiinflammatory drug therapy?
Duplex venous Doppler
Plethysmography
Thermography
Somatosensory evoked potential
Which joint in the human body is an example of a condyloid joint?
Wrist joint
, Elbow joint
Shoulder joint
Sacroiliac joint
Non–weight bearing with crutches has been prescribed for a client with a leg injury. The nurse
provides teaching before ambulation is begun. To facilitate walking with crutches, what is
the most important activity the nurse should teach the client?
Sit up in a chair to help strengthen back muscles.
Keep the unaffected leg in extension and abduction.
Exercise the triceps, finger flexors, and elbow extensors.
Use a trapeze frequently to strengthen the biceps muscles.
What is the nurse’s primary consideration when caring for a client with rheumatoid arthritis?
Surgery
Comfort
Education
Motivation
Which ethnic group has a greater incidence of osteoporosis due to musculoskeletal differences?
Irish Americans
African Americans
Chinese Americans
Egyptian Americans
The school nurse is attending to a student athlete who reports muscle pain after a practice
session. Which should the nurse identify as a cause of this pain when providing instruction to the
student?
Lactic acid
Acetoacetic acid
Hydrochloric acid
Beta-hydroxybutyric acid
Which type of bone tumor is commonly seen in elderly clients?
Endochroma
Osteosarcoma
Chondrosarcoma
Osteochondroma
Which is the first line treatment for Paget disease?
Oral alendronate
1500 mg of calcium
Intravenous pamidronate
, Intravenous zoledronic acid
After an amputation of a limb, a client begins to experience extreme discomfort in the area where
the limb once was. What is the nurse’s greatest concern at this time?
Addressing the pain
Reversing feelings of hopelessness
Promoting mobility in the residual limb
Acknowledging the grieving for the lost limb
Which joint permits movement in any direction?
Pivot joint
Hinge joint
Biaxial joint
Ball-and-socket joint
Which radiographic test is used to view the entire skeleton?
Bone scan
Gallium and thallium scan
Computed tomography (CT)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
The primary healthcare provider prescribes one unit of packed red blood cells to be administered
to the client who suffered a hip fracture. Several minutes after the start of the infusion, the client
reports itching. Upon further assessment, the nurse observes hives on the client’s chest. Which
action should the nurse take next?
Call the primary healthcare provider to obtain a prescription for an antihistamine.
Flush packed red blood cells with 5% dextrose and 0.45% normal saline.
Slow down the rate of the infusion.
Stop the transfusion immediately.
Which term should the nurse use to describe bone loss greater than normal but less than that
caused by osteoporosis?
Osteopenia
Osteomyelitis
Osteomalacia
Osteoarthritis
Which diagnostic test is used for the direct visualization of ligaments, menisci, and articular
surfaces of joints?
Arthroscopy
Muscle biopsy
Ultrasonography
, Electromyography
Which condition is characterized by infection of a client’s bone or bone marrow?
Osteomalacia
Osteomyelitis
Herniated disc
Spinal stenosis
A home care nurse is visiting a client who had a below-the-knee amputation. Which client
statement indicates to the nurse that further teaching is needed?
"At night, I sleep with a pillow under my knees."
"When I sit in a chair, I put my legs out straight on an ottoman."
"I apply a firm, even bandage around the end of my affected leg every day."
"I press the end of my affected leg against a soft surface several times during the
day."
Which diagnostic scan is used to detect diffuse or localized muscle weakness?
Arthroscopy
Radiography
Myelography
Electromyography
When providing discharge teaching to a client who had a total hip replacement, what should the
nurse instruct the client to avoid?
Climbing stairs
Stretching exercises
Sitting in a low chair
Lying prone for more than 15 minutes
Which estrogen antagonist is specifically used to prevent and treat osteoporosis in
postmenopausal women?
Raloxifene
Denosumab
Alendronate
Zoledronic acid
The nurse is providing discharge teaching to a 30-year-old client who was hospitalized for
exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis. Which statement by the client indicates correct
understanding of the treatment plan?
"I will plan to rest in bed for the next 2 weeks."
"I will only take my medications when I am having joint pain."
"When I exercise, I will reduce the number of repetitions when I have pain."
ANSWERS 2022
Why is Phalen’s test performed in a client?
To diagnose atrophy
To diagnose bone tumor
To detect rotator cuff injuries
To detect carpal tunnel syndrome
A client injures an amphiarthrodial joint. Which joint did the client injure?
Knee joint
Pelvic joint
Elbow joint
Cranial joint
A client admitted to the hospital with an acute episode of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) asks why
physical therapy has not been prescribed. What is the most appropriate nursing response?
"Your primary healthcare provider must have forgotten to prescribe it."
"Your condition is not severe enough to have physical therapy approved."
"Your joints are still inflamed, and physical therapy can be harmful."
"Physical therapy is not helpful for persons who suffer from RA."
A nurse is providing postoperative teaching to a client who is scheduled to have an above-the-
knee amputation. The client will use crutches during the postoperative period. Which activity
will prepare the client for crutch walking?
Lifting weights
Changing bed positions
Caring for the residual limb
Performing phantom limb exercises
A nurse is caring for a client with a below-the-knee amputation. What should the nurse
encourage the client to do to prepare the residual limb for a prosthesis?
Abduct the residual limb when ambulating.
Dangle the residual limb off the bed frequently.
Soak the residual limb in warm water twice a day.
Press the end of the residual limb against a pillow periodically.
Which diagnostic study is used to investigate the cause of an inflamed joint and determines a
client’s response to antiinflammatory drug therapy?
Duplex venous Doppler
Plethysmography
Thermography
Somatosensory evoked potential
Which joint in the human body is an example of a condyloid joint?
Wrist joint
, Elbow joint
Shoulder joint
Sacroiliac joint
Non–weight bearing with crutches has been prescribed for a client with a leg injury. The nurse
provides teaching before ambulation is begun. To facilitate walking with crutches, what is
the most important activity the nurse should teach the client?
Sit up in a chair to help strengthen back muscles.
Keep the unaffected leg in extension and abduction.
Exercise the triceps, finger flexors, and elbow extensors.
Use a trapeze frequently to strengthen the biceps muscles.
What is the nurse’s primary consideration when caring for a client with rheumatoid arthritis?
Surgery
Comfort
Education
Motivation
Which ethnic group has a greater incidence of osteoporosis due to musculoskeletal differences?
Irish Americans
African Americans
Chinese Americans
Egyptian Americans
The school nurse is attending to a student athlete who reports muscle pain after a practice
session. Which should the nurse identify as a cause of this pain when providing instruction to the
student?
Lactic acid
Acetoacetic acid
Hydrochloric acid
Beta-hydroxybutyric acid
Which type of bone tumor is commonly seen in elderly clients?
Endochroma
Osteosarcoma
Chondrosarcoma
Osteochondroma
Which is the first line treatment for Paget disease?
Oral alendronate
1500 mg of calcium
Intravenous pamidronate
, Intravenous zoledronic acid
After an amputation of a limb, a client begins to experience extreme discomfort in the area where
the limb once was. What is the nurse’s greatest concern at this time?
Addressing the pain
Reversing feelings of hopelessness
Promoting mobility in the residual limb
Acknowledging the grieving for the lost limb
Which joint permits movement in any direction?
Pivot joint
Hinge joint
Biaxial joint
Ball-and-socket joint
Which radiographic test is used to view the entire skeleton?
Bone scan
Gallium and thallium scan
Computed tomography (CT)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
The primary healthcare provider prescribes one unit of packed red blood cells to be administered
to the client who suffered a hip fracture. Several minutes after the start of the infusion, the client
reports itching. Upon further assessment, the nurse observes hives on the client’s chest. Which
action should the nurse take next?
Call the primary healthcare provider to obtain a prescription for an antihistamine.
Flush packed red blood cells with 5% dextrose and 0.45% normal saline.
Slow down the rate of the infusion.
Stop the transfusion immediately.
Which term should the nurse use to describe bone loss greater than normal but less than that
caused by osteoporosis?
Osteopenia
Osteomyelitis
Osteomalacia
Osteoarthritis
Which diagnostic test is used for the direct visualization of ligaments, menisci, and articular
surfaces of joints?
Arthroscopy
Muscle biopsy
Ultrasonography
, Electromyography
Which condition is characterized by infection of a client’s bone or bone marrow?
Osteomalacia
Osteomyelitis
Herniated disc
Spinal stenosis
A home care nurse is visiting a client who had a below-the-knee amputation. Which client
statement indicates to the nurse that further teaching is needed?
"At night, I sleep with a pillow under my knees."
"When I sit in a chair, I put my legs out straight on an ottoman."
"I apply a firm, even bandage around the end of my affected leg every day."
"I press the end of my affected leg against a soft surface several times during the
day."
Which diagnostic scan is used to detect diffuse or localized muscle weakness?
Arthroscopy
Radiography
Myelography
Electromyography
When providing discharge teaching to a client who had a total hip replacement, what should the
nurse instruct the client to avoid?
Climbing stairs
Stretching exercises
Sitting in a low chair
Lying prone for more than 15 minutes
Which estrogen antagonist is specifically used to prevent and treat osteoporosis in
postmenopausal women?
Raloxifene
Denosumab
Alendronate
Zoledronic acid
The nurse is providing discharge teaching to a 30-year-old client who was hospitalized for
exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis. Which statement by the client indicates correct
understanding of the treatment plan?
"I will plan to rest in bed for the next 2 weeks."
"I will only take my medications when I am having joint pain."
"When I exercise, I will reduce the number of repetitions when I have pain."
