Question 1

An 85-year-old patient comments during his annual physical examination that he seems to be getting shorter as he ages. Why does height decrease with aging?

Accepted Answer

A)  The vertebral column shortens. 
B)  Long bones tend to shorten with age. 
C)  A significant loss of subcutaneous fat occurs. 
D)  A thickening of the intervertebral disks develops.

Question 2

During a neonatal examination, the nurse notices that the newborn infant has six toes. How should the nurse document this finding?

Accepted Answer

A)  Unidactyly 
B)  Syndactyly 
C)  Polydactyly 
D)  Multidactyly

Question 3

The nurse is examining a 2-month-old infant and notices asymmetry of the infant's gluteal folds. The nurse should assess for other signs of what disorder?

Accepted Answer

A)  Spina bifida 
B)  Down syndrome 
C)  Hip dislocation 
D)  Fractured clavicle

Question 4

A patient is reporting pain in his joints that is worse in the morning, better after he moves around for a while, and then gets worse again if he sits for long periods. The nurse should assess for other signs of what problem?

Accepted Answer

A)  Tendinitis 
B)  Osteoarthritis 
C)  Rheumatoid arthritis 
D)  Intermittent claudication

Question 5

A mother brings her newborn baby boy in for a checkup; she tells the nurse that he does not seem to be moving his right arm as much as his left and that he seems to have pain when she lifts him up under the arms. The nurse suspects a fractured clavicle. What finding would support this suspicion?

Accepted Answer

A)  Negative Allis test 
B)  Positive Ortolani sign 
C)  Limited range of motion during Lasègue test 
D)  Limited range of motion during the Moro reflex

Question 6

The nurse is teaching a class on preventing osteoporosis to a group of perimenopausal women. Which of these actions is the best way to prevent or delay bone loss in this group?

Accepted Answer

A)  Assessing bone density annually 
B)  Taking medications to prevent osteoporosis 
C)  Performing physical activity, such as fast walking 
D)  Taking 800 mg calcium and 200 IU vitamin D supplements daily

Question 7

The nurse is examining a 3-month-old infant. While the nurse holds his or her thumbs on the infant's inner mid thighs and the fingers on the outside of the infant's hips, touching the greater trochanter, the nurse adducts the legs until the his or her thumbs touch and then abducts the legs until the infant's knees touch the table. The nurse does not notice any "clunking" sounds. How should the nurse document this finding?

Accepted Answer

A)  Positive Allis test 
B)  Negative Allis test 
C)  Positive Ortolani sign 
D)  Negative Ortolani sign

Question 8

The nurse is providing patient education for a man who has been diagnosed with a rotator cuff injury. When explaining the structures involved in his injury, what should the nurse include?

Accepted Answer

A)  Nucleus pulposus 
B)  Medial epicondyle 
C)  Glenohumeral joint 
D)  Articular processes

Question 9

A patient is visiting the clinic for an evaluation of a swollen, painful knuckle. The nurse notices that the knuckle above his ring on the left hand is swollen and that he is unable to remove his wedding ring. What is the name of this patient's affected joint?

Accepted Answer

A)  Tibiotalar 
B)  Interphalangeal 
C)  Tarsometatarsal 
D)  Metacarpophalangeal

Question 10

A patient has been diagnosed with osteoporosis and asks the nurse, "What is osteoporosis?" What is the best explanation by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

A)  "It is the loss of bone density." 
B)  "It is an increase in bone matrix." 
C)  "It is new bone growth that is weaker." 
D)  "There is a decrease in phagocytic activity."

Exam 23: Musculoskeletal System