Question 1

During a health history the nurse becomes concerned that a patient is at risk for developing osteoporosis.Which modifiable risk factors did the nurse use to come to this conclusion? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)   Small boned
B)   Postmenopausal
C)   Cigarette smoking
D)   Sedentary lifestyle
E)   Low calcium intake C,D,E

Question 2

The nurse is reinforcing teaching provided to a patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Which patient statement indicates understanding of the symptoms of RA?

Accepted Answer

A)   Fatigue
B)   Paralysis
C)   Crepitation
D)   Shortness of breath A

Question 3

The nurse is reinforcing teaching provided to a patient with gout.Which food should the patient state will be avoided that indicates teaching has been effective?

Accepted Answer

A)   Rice
B)   Beets
C)   Liver
D)   Bananas C

Question 4

The nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a patient who has a fractured hip and is placed in Buck's (boot)traction while awaiting surgery.What is the desired outcome for placing the patient in Buck's traction?

Accepted Answer

A)   Restrain patient.
B)   Realign fracture.
C)   Relieve patient pain.
D)   Maintain fracture reduction.

Question 5

The nurse is reinforcing teaching provided to a patient for carpal tunnel syndrome treatment.Which patient statement indicates a correct understanding of the teaching?

Accepted Answer

A)   "Bedrest."
B)   "Arm sling."
C)   "Wrist splint."
D)   "Hand exercises."

Question 6

A patient who has a displaced mid-shaft fracture of the left femur and is in balanced suspension skeletal traction with 35 pounds of weights is experiencing calf pain with right foot dorsiflexion.Which action should the nurse take?

Accepted Answer

A)   Notify the RN.
B)   Check the traction setup.
C)   Reduce 5 pounds of weight.
D)   Encourage dorsiflexion more frequently.

Question 7

The nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a patient who has a right fractured femur.What intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care to prevent fat emboli?

Accepted Answer

A)   Decrease dietary consumption of fats.
B)   Maintain immobilization of the right leg.
C)   Encourage coughing and deep breathing hourly.
D)   Perform passive range of motion on the right leg.

Question 8

A patient is completing instructions about complications that can occur from osteoporosis.Which complication should the patient state as evidence that teaching has been effective?

Accepted Answer

A)   "Hip fracture."
B)   "Overgrowth of bone."
C)   "Bone spur formation."
D)   "Increased bone density."

Question 9

The nurse is caring for a patient with a minor rotator cuff shoulder injury.What should the nurse emphasize when reviewing care with this patient? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)   Apply ice
B)   Rest the shoulder
C)   Take NSAIDs as prescribed
D)   Begin out-patient physical therapy
E)   Use 2 lb hand weights for exercising

Question 10

An 87-year-old female with a history of osteoarthritis reports an average generalized pain score of 4 on a 0-to-10 scale while using acetaminophen prn.Which response about this pain level should the nurse make to the patient?

Accepted Answer

A)   "Do you take a daily calcium supplement?"
B)   "I'm glad the acetaminophen is working for you."
C)   "Are you satisfied with this level of pain control?"
D)   "Research shows that acetaminophen is not really effective for osteoarthritis pain."

Question 11

The nurse is reinforcing teaching on positioning for a patient after a right total knee replacement.Which patient statement indicates a correct understanding of the teaching?

Accepted Answer

A)   "Prone."
B)   "Side lying."
C)   "Supine with pillow under right knee."
D)   "Supine with three pillows between legs."

Question 12

The nurse is reinforcing teaching for a patient who has had a total hip replacement on correct sitting positions.Which position should the nurse teach the patient to avoid?

Accepted Answer

A)   Crossing legs
B)   Elevating legs
C)   Flexing ankles
D)   Extending knees

Question 13

The nurse is caring for a patient in traction.Which actions are appropriate when caring for this patient? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)   Allow weights to hang freely in place.
B)   Use assistance to reposition the patient in bed.
C)   Hold weights up if the patient is shifting position in bed.
D)   Remove weights if the patient is being moved up in bed.
E)   Lighten weights for short periods if the patient reports pain.

Question 14

The nurse is monitoring a patient with a casted left tibial fracture and a contusion of the thigh.The patient reports increasing pain in the left foot that has not been relieved by morphine injections.What should the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

A)   Reposition the casted leg.
B)   Repeat the morphine injection now.
C)   Give a higher ordered dose of morphine.
D)   Ensure physician is immediately notified.

Question 15

The nurse reinforces teaching on prevention of osteomyelitis with a patient who has an open fracture of the right leg.Which patient statement indicates that teaching has been effective?

Accepted Answer

A)   "Apply ice to right leg."
B)   "Keep leg immobilized."
C)   "Increase calcium intake in diet."
D)   "Wash hands prior to touching fracture area."

Question 16

A patient is diagnosed with osteomyelitis of the right lower leg.What should the nurse expect to be prescribed for this patient's care?

Accepted Answer

A)   Anticoagulant therapy
B)   Casting of the extremity
C)   Fasciotomy of the wound
D)   Long-term antibiotic therapy

Question 17

The nurse is reinforcing teaching provided to a patient recovering from right total hip replacement.Which patient statement indicates a correct understanding of the teaching?

Accepted Answer

A)   "Keep legs apart."
B)   "Lie prone in bed."
C)   "Move right leg closer to the left leg."
D)   "Do not bear any weight on the left leg."

Question 18

A patient with a fractured pelvis and a left acetabular fracture is prescribed bedrest.When the patient asks to toilet,which measure would be appropriate?

Accepted Answer

A)   Help patient up on a commode very carefully.
B)   Turn patient onto right side, place the bedpan behind, and turn back.
C)   Have patient sit up as high as possible and lift self up with hands pushing on the bed, then slide the bedpan underneath.
D)   Ask patient to lift straight up using a trapeze mounted above the bed and slide a bedpan underneath from the right side.

Question 19

The nurse is caring for a patient who has a newly casted,fractured wrist.Data collection reveals slightly puffy fingers with good capillary refill.What should the nurse do now to prevent complications?

Accepted Answer

A)   Notify the RN.
B)   Apply heat to the cast.
C)   Elevate the cast on pillows.
D)   Remove the pillow under the cast.

Question 20

The nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a patient who has a bone fracture that is splintered and has shattered into numerous fragments.Which term should the nurse use to document this type of fracture?

Accepted Answer

A)   Impacted
B)   Avulsion
C)   Greenstick
D)   Comminuted

Exam 46: Nursing Care of Patients With Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders