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WorksheetsMobility, Musculoskeletal, and Neurologic Nursing Worksheet
Total questions: 50
Worksheet time: 25mins
A nurse is assessing an older adult who has been on bed rest for 5 days. Which finding is MOST concerning?
Muscle stiffness
Decreased appetite
Crackles in the lower lungs
Mild ankle swelling
A patient with a long leg cast reports increasing pain unrelieved by opioids. The foot appears pale and cool. What is the nurse’s PRIORITY action?
Elevate the extremity
Apply ice
Notify the provider immediately
Administer additional pain medication
Which patient is MOST at risk for impaired mobility?
35-year-old with seasonal allergies
76-year-old with Parkinson’s disease
55-year-old with a history of migraines
22-year-old athlete with a sprained ankle
A nurse is teaching a patient with gout about dietary management. Which statement shows understanding?
“I will avoid red meat and shellfish.”
“I should eat more organ meats for iron.”
“I need to limit drinking water.”
“I’ll drink fruit juices daily.”
Which finding is associated with osteoarthritis (OA)?
Symmetrical joint inflammation
Morning stiffness lasting several hours
Pain that worsens with activity
Red, warm, swollen joints
A patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) reports morning stiffness. What is the BEST intervention?
Apply cold packs to joints
Encourage a brisk walk
Apply warm, moist heat
Massage joints vigorously
A patient has a new diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. Which symptom should the nurse expect?
Muscle flaccidity
Resting tremor
Spasticity of lower extremities
“Cogwheel” rigidity
Which medication requires teaching about avoiding high-protein meals?
Allopurinol
Colchicine
Carbidopa/Levodopa
Ibuprofen
The nurse notes a patient has difficulty lifting their foot while walking, causing it to drag. This is described as:
Shuffling gait
Foot drop
Festinating gait
Ataxic gait
Which action is MOST important to prevent atelectasis in an immobile patient?
Encourage coughing and deep breathing
Increase fluid intake
Elevate head of bed
Perform passive ROM
Which finding requires immediate intervention in a patient with a hip fracture?
Leg appears shortened
External rotation of the leg
Severe pain
Absent pedal pulses
A patient with MS states they are experiencing visual changes and fatigue. What is the MOST appropriate response?
“These are common symptoms of MS.”
“You should increase physical activity.”
“This may mean your condition is resolved.”
“You should stop all activity immediately.”
A nursing student asks why immobility causes constipation. The correct explanation is:
“Immobility increases fluid loss.”
“The GI system slows down without movement.”
“It decreases stomach acid.”
“Patients eat too much fiber.”
Which diagnostic test is used to confirm osteoporosis?
MRI
CT scan
DEXA scan
Ultrasound
Which assessment takes PRIORITY after cast placement?
Temperature
Neurovascular status
Bowel sounds
Lung sounds
A patient with compartment syndrome is ordered elevation of the affected extremity. What should the nurse do?
Perform the order
Question the order
Apply ice instead
Administer NSAIDs
Which patient should receive fall-risk precautions FIRST?
A patient taking antibiotics
A patient with Parkinson’s disease
A patient with mild dehydration
A patient with a tooth infection
A patient with a fracture reports tingling and numbness. What is the nurse’s FIRST action?
Reassess in 1 hour
Increase mobility
Perform neurovascular checks
Give pain medication
A key characteristic of RA is:
Asymmetric joint pain
Uric acid buildup
Autoimmune inflammation
Trauma to joints
A nurse teaches a patient about preventing skin breakdown. Which instruction is correct?
“Change position at least every 2 hours.”
“Sit upright all day.”
“Use rubbing alcohol for redness.”
“Do not use pillows.”
The nurse recognizes the hallmark sign of a fat embolism as:
Fever
Petechiae
Hypertension
Bradycardia
Which is a symptom of rhabdomyolysis?
Clear urine
Dark, tea-colored urine
Excessive sweating
Fever only
What is the goal of early mobilization after surgery?
Increase appetite
Prevent complications like DVTs and pneumonia
Reduce need for medication
Strengthen bones
Which intervention is appropriate for osteoarthritis?
Encourage bed rest
Apply heat for stiffness
Use high-impact exercise
Give antibiotics
A patient with gout is starting allopurinol. Which instruction is priority?
Take with vitamin C
Drink plenty of water
Eat high-purine foods
Limit physical activity
An immobile patient is at risk for renal calculi because:
Urine becomes too acidic
Calcium leaves bones and builds up in kidneys
Mobility increases calcium levels
They eat too much dairy
A patient with Parkinson’s has a shuffling gait. The nurse should encourage:
Leaning forward when walking
Speeding up movement
Taking small, deliberate steps
Walking without assistive devices
Which patient is MOST likely developing pneumonia due to immobility?
Crackles in lungs
Clear lung sounds
No cough
Strong productive cough
Which mobility aid provides the MOST support?
Cane
Walker
Crutches
No device
A patient has Heberden’s nodes. The nurse recognizes this as a sign of:
RA
Gout
Osteoarthritis
MS
The most important nursing action for a patient with MS during fatigue episodes is:
Increase exercise
Cluster care and allow rest
Encourage long walks
Limit all activity
A patient with a cast develops a fever and foul odor from the cast. The nurse suspects:
Compartment syndrome
Normal healing
Infection
Atrophy
A patient taking methotrexate for RA must be monitored for:
Liver toxicity
Kidney stones
Respiratory depression
Bradycardia
A nurse teaches hip precautions. Which statement shows understanding?
“I should avoid crossing my legs.”
“I can bend at the waist freely.”
“I can sleep on my stomach.”
“I should twist my hip to turn.”
Which respiratory complication is most associated with immobility?
Emphysema
Atelectasis
Asthma
COPD
Which is an early sign of compartment syndrome?
Pulselessness
Paralysis
Pain out of proportion
Cool temperature
A nurse suspects DVT in an immobile patient. What is a classic symptom?
Abdominal pain
Unilateral leg swelling
Low back pain
Wrist pain
A patient with Parkinson’s needs help swallowing. Which intervention is MOST appropriate?
Thin liquids
Large bites
Small frequent meals
Lying flat while eating
A patient with fractures is at high risk for shock due to:
Muscle spasms
Blood loss
Bradycardia
Fever
A patient taking levodopa reports twitching and jerking movements. The nurse suspects:
Under-medication
Dyskinesia
Allergic reaction
Normal finding
Which lab is MOST important in gout?
RBC count
Uric acid level
Potassium level
Calcium level
A patient with MS is struggling with balance. The nurse recommends:
Standing quickly
Avoiding assistive devices
Using a cane or walker
Taking hot showers
A patient with RA taking biologics should be taught to monitor for:
Joint stiffness
Signs of infection
Night sweats
Muscle twitching
A nurse assessing mobility notes each step is slow and difficult to initiate. This is:
Bradykinesia
Festinating gait
Foot drop
Ataxia
Which is a classic symptom of a hip fracture?
Internal rotation of the leg
Leg shortening
Mid-back pain
Symmetrical leg swelling
A patient with OA says, “I feel worse in the morning but better after I move.” The nurse knows this indicates:
RA
Gout
OA
MS
A patient with an immobilized limb should be encouraged to:
Perform isometric exercises
Avoid all movement
Keep the limb dependent
Apply heat constantly
A sign of worsening MS is:
Sudden improvement in speech
Increased fatigue and weakness
Higher appetite
Decreased sleepiness
A patient with gout during an acute attack should:
Walk vigorously
Rest the affected joint
Increase purine intake
Drink alcohol
The nurse knows immobility affects the urinary system by increasing risk for:
UTI and kidney stones
Hypertension
Hyperglycemia
Metabolic alkalosis
