Musculoskeletal Quiz

A 95 year old patient has an accidental fall while going to the bathroom without assistance. It appears the patient has sustained a bone fracture to the right leg. The leg’s shape is deformed and the patient is unable to move it. The patient is alert and oriented but in pain. What will you do FIRST after confirming the patient is safe and stable?

• Apply an ice pack covered with a towel to the site.

• Immobilize the fracture with a splint.

• Administer pain medication.

• Elevate the extremity above heart level.

Open Reduction

• Treating a bone through realignment with one's hands

• Treating a bone surgically with pins, rods, screws, and/or wires

• Placing the broken bone within a cast, splint, or boot

Which treatments should the nurse plan for a client being seen in the clinic for an ankle sprain?

• rest, elevate the extremity, apply ice, and apply a compression bandage.

• perform range of motion to determine extent of injury, apply heat, check circulation and sensation, and examine the ankle.

• reduce pain with moist heat, then apply ice to reduce swelling; check circulation, motion, and sensation; and elevate the ankle.

• refer the client immediately to an orthopedic surgeon, administer analgesics, control swelling with ice, and encourage rest and elevation.

Which findings should a nurse expect when assessing a client diagnosed with a left femoral neck fracture? (select all that apply)

• Left leg is abducted

• Pain in laterally side of left knee

• left leg is external rotated

• Pain in groin area

• left leg is shorter than the right leg

A nurse is assessing an elderly client in Buck’s traction to temporarily immobilize a fracture of the proximal femur prior to surgery. Which finding requires the nurse to intervene immediately?

• Voiding concentrated urine, 45 mL/hr

• Capillary refill 3 seconds, dorsiflexion, and sensation intact, pedal pulses palpable

• Reddened area to sacrum

• Lower leg secure in traction boot; ropes and pulleys and 5 lb weight hanging freely.

An experienced nurse observes a new nurse caring for a client in skeletal traction. Which observation by the experienced nurse indicates the new nurse needs additional orientation.

• Positions the client so the feet stay clear of the bottom of the bed

• Checks ropes so that they are positioned in the wheel grooves of the pulley.

• Removes weights from the ropes until the weights hang freely off the bed frame.

• Performs pin site care with chlorhexidine solution twice daily

A nurse is teaching a client at high risk for osteoporosis about dietary measures she can take to increase her calcium level. Which of the following foods should the nurse advise the client to increase in her diet?

• Carrots

• Broccoli

• Eggs

• Potatoes

A client is admitted with suspected osteomyelitis. Which assessment finding would the nurse expect to observe in a client with acute osteomyelitis?

• Unrelieved pain, localized erythema and warmth over the affected bone

• Bilateral joint pain and swelling

• Normal range of motion in the affected limb

• Reduced sensation and tingling in the affected area

The nurse is caring for a child with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Which nursing interventions is the would the nurse expect to be included in the patient plan of care? (select all that apply)

• Encouraging active range of motion exercises

• Administering corticosteroids as prescribed

• Recommending high-impact sports participation

• Providing genetic counseling to the parents

• Administer DMARD drugs such as adalimumab (Humira) to slow progression of disease

A client with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been prescribed Plaquenil. The nurse should provide education to the client about potential adverse effects of the medication. Which adverse effect should the nurse prioritize in the client's education?

• Blurred vision

• Weight gain

• Constipation

• Hypotension