Question 1

An 80-year-old woman is visiting the clinic for a checkup.The nurse is observing for motor dysfunction in the woman's hip and would have her:

Accepted Answer

A) internally rotate her hip while she is sitting. 
B) abduct her hip while she is lying on her back. 
C) adduct her hip while she is lying on her back. 
D) externally rotate her hip while she is standing.

Question 2

A patient has been diagnosed with osteoporosis and asks the nurse,"What is osteoporosis?" The nurse knows that osteoporosis can be defined as:

Accepted Answer

A) the loss of bone matrix. 
B) the loss of bone mass. 
C) new,weaker bone growth. 
D) increased phagocytic activity.

Question 3

The nurse suspects that a patient has carpal tunnel syndrome and wants to perform the Phalen test.To perform this test,the nurse will instruct the patient to:

Accepted Answer

A) dorsiflex the foot. 
B) plantarflex the foot. 
C) hold both hands back to back while flexing the wrists 90 degrees for 60 seconds. 
D) hyperextend the wrists with the palmar surface of both hands touching and wait for 60 seconds.

Question 4

The articulation of the mandible and the temporal bone is known as the:

Accepted Answer

A) intervertebral foramen. 
B) condyle of the mandible. 
C) temporomandibular joint. 
D) zygomatic arch of the temporal bone.

Question 5

To palpate the temporomandibular joint,the nurse's fingers should be placed in the depression:

Accepted Answer

A) distal to the helix of the ear. 
B) proximal to the helix of the ear. 
C) anterior to the tragus of the ear. 
D) posterior to the tragus of the ear.

Question 6

A woman who has had rheumatoid arthritis for years is starting to notice that her fingers are drifting to the side.The nurse knows that this condition is commonly referred to as:

Accepted Answer

A) radial drift. 
B) ulnar deviation. 
C) swan neck deformity. 
D) Dupuytren's contracture.

Question 7

A 14-year-old boy who has been diagnosed with Osgood-Schlatter disease reports painful swelling just below the knee for the past 5 months.Which response by the nurse is appropriate?

Accepted Answer

A) "If these symptoms persist,you may need arthroscopic surgery." 
B) "You are experiencing degeneration of your knee,which may not resolve." 
C) "Your disease is due to repeated stress on the patellar tendon.It is usually self-limited,and your symptoms should resolve with rest." 
D) "Increasing your activity and performing knee-strengthening exercises will help to decrease the inflammation and maintain mobility in the knee."

Question 8

The functional units of the musculoskeletal system are the:

Accepted Answer

A) joints. 
B) bones. 
C) muscles. 
D) tendons.

Question 9

The nurse is providing patient education for a man who has been diagnosed with a rotator cuff injury.The nurse knows that this injury involves:

Accepted Answer

A) nucleus pulposus. 
B) the articular process. 
C) the medial epicondyle. 
D) the glenohumeral joint.

Question 10

The nurse is examining a 6-month-old baby and places the baby's feet flat on the table and flexes his knees up.The nurse notes that the right knee is significantly lower than the left.Which of the following is true of this finding?

Accepted Answer

A) This is a positive Allis sign and suggests hip dislocation. 
B) The infant probably has a dislocated patella on the right knee. 
C) This is a normal finding for the Allis test for an infant of this age. 
D) The infant should return to the clinic in 2 weeks to see if this has changed.

Question 11

A teenage girl is complaining of pain in her left wrist.She had been playing basketball and fell,landing on her left hand.The nurse examines her hand and would expect a fracture if the girl complains:

Accepted Answer

A) of a dull ache. 
B) that the pain in her wrist is deep. 
C) of sharp pain that increases with movement. 
D) of dull throbbing pain that increases with rest.

Question 12

An imaginary line connecting the highest point on each iliac crest would cross:

Accepted Answer

A) the first sacral vertebra. 
B) the fourth lumbar vertebra. 
C) the seventh cervical vertebra. 
D) the twelfth thoracic vertebra.

Question 13

The nurse is assessing a patient's ischial tuberosity.To palpate the ischial tuberosity,the nurse knows that it is best to have the patient:

Accepted Answer

A) stand. 
B) flex his hip. 
C) flex his knee. 
D) lie in the supine position.

Question 14

The nurse is checking the range of motion in a patient's knee and knows that the knee is capable of the following movements:

Accepted Answer

A) Flexion and extension 
B) Supination and pronation 
C) Circumduction 
D) Inversion and eversion

Question 15

A young swimmer comes to the sports clinic complaining of a very sore shoulder.He was running at the pool,slipped on some wet concrete,and tried to catch himself with his outstretched hand.He landed on this hand,and has not been able to move his shoulder since.The nurse suspects:

Accepted Answer

A) joint effusion. 
B) tear of rotator cuff. 
C) adhesive capsulitis. 
D) dislocated shoulder.

Question 16

Hematopoiesis takes place in the:

Accepted Answer

A) liver. 
B) spleen. 
C) kidneys. 
D) bone marrow.

Question 17

The nurse knows that another term for "knock knees" is:

Accepted Answer

A) genu varum. 
B) genu valgum. 
C) pes planus. 
D) metatarsus adductus.

Question 18

A man who has had gout for several years comes to the clinic with a "problem with my toe." On examination,the nurse notes the presence of hard,painless nodules over the great toe;one has burst open and released a chalky discharge.This finding is known as:

Accepted Answer

A) a callus. 
B) a plantar wart. 
C) tenosynovitis. 
D) tophi.

Question 19

The nurse is assessing the joints of a woman who has stated,"I have a long family history of arthritis,and my joints hurt." The nurse suspects that she has osteoarthritis.Which of the following are symptoms of osteoarthritis? (Select all that apply. )

Accepted Answer

A) Symmetrical joint involvement 
B) Asymmetrical joint involvement 
C) Pain with motion of affected joints 
D) Affected joints swollen with hard,bony protuberances 
E) Affected joints hot,red,and swollen

Question 20

When performing a musculoskeletal assessment,the nurse knows that the correct approach for the examination should be head to toe and:

Accepted Answer

A) proximal to distal. 
B) distal to proximal. 
C) posterior to anterior. 
D) anterior to posterior.

Exam 24: Musculoskeletal System