A nurse on the orthopedic unit is assessing a client's peroneal nerve. The nurse should perform this assessment by doing
what action?
A. Pricking the skin between the great and second toe
B. Stroking the skin on the sole of the client's foot
C. Pinching the skin between the thumb and index finger
D. Stroking the distal fat pad of the small finger
ANS: A
Rationale: The nurse will evaluate the sensation of the peroneal nerve by pricking the skin centered between the great and second toe. None of the other
listed actions elicits the function of one of the peripheral nerves.
A public health nurse is organizing a campaign that will address the leading cause of musculoskeletal-related disability.
The nurse should focus on what health problem?
A. Osteoporosis
B. Arthritis
C. Hip fractures
D. Lower back pain
ANS: B
Rationale: The leading cause of musculoskeletal-related disability is arthritis.
A nurse is providing care for a client whose pattern of laboratory testing reveals long-standing hypocalcemia. Which other
laboratory result is most consistent with this finding?
A. An elevated parathyroid hormone level
B. An increased calcitonin level
C. An elevated potassium level
D. A decreased vitamin D level
ANS: A
Rationale: In the response to low calcium levels in the blood, increased levels of parathyroid hormone prompt the mobilization of calcium and the
demineralization of bone. Increased calcitonin levels would exacerbate hypocalcemia. Vitamin D levels do not increase in response to low calcium levels.
Potassium levels would likely be unaffected.
A nurse is caring for a client whose cancer metastasis has resulted in bone pain. What should the nurse expect the client
to describe?
A. A dull, deep ache that is "boring" in nature
B. Soreness or aching that may include cramping
C. Sharp, piercing pain that is relieved by immobilization
D. Spastic or sharp pain that radiates
ANS: A
Rationale: Bone pain is characteristically described as a dull, deep ache that is "boring" in nature, whereas muscular pain is described as soreness or
aching and is referred to as "muscle cramps." Fracture pain is sharp and piercing and is relieved by immobilization. Sharp pain may also result from bone
infection with muscle spasm or pressure on a sensory nerve.
A nurse is assessing a client who is experiencing peripheral neurovascular dysfunction. Which assessment findings are
most consistent with this diagnosis?
A. Hot skin and a capillary refill of 1 to 2 seconds
B. Absence of feeling, capillary refill of 4 to 5 seconds, and cool skin
C. Pain, diaphoresis, and erythema
D. Jaundiced skin, weakness, and capillary refill of 3 seconds
ANS: B
Rationale: Indicators of peripheral neurovascular dysfunction include pale, cyanotic, or mottled skin with a cool temperature; capillary refill greater than 3
seconds; weakness or paralysis with motion; and paresthesia, unrelenting pain, pain on passive stretch, or absence of feeling. Jaundice, diaphoresis, and
warmth are inconsistent with peripheral neurovascular dysfunction.
, A client has symptoms of osteoporosis and is being assessed during an annual physical examination. The assessment
shows that the client will require further testing related to a possible exacerbation of osteoporosis. The nurse should
anticipate which diagnostic test?
A. Bone densitometry
B. Hip bone radiography
C. Computed tomography (CT)
D. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
ANS: A
Rationale: Bone densitometry is considered the most accurate test for osteoporosis and for predicting a fracture. As such, it is more likely to be used than
CT, MRI, or x-rays.
A client injured in a motor vehicle accident has sustained a fracture to the diaphysis of the right femur. Of which tissue is
the diaphysis of the femur mainly constructed?
A. Epiphyses
B. Cartilage
C. Cortical bone
D. Cancellous bone
ANS: C
Rationale: The long bone shaft, which is referred to as the diaphysis, is constructed primarily of cortical bone.
A client has come to the clinic for a regular check-up. The nurse's initial inspection reveals an increased thoracic curvature
of the client's spine. The nurse should document the presence of which condition?
A. Scoliosis
B. Epiphyses
C. Lordosis
D. Kyphosis
ANS: D
Rationale: Kyphosis is the increase in thoracic curvature of the spine. Scoliosis is a deviation in the lateral curvature of the spine. Epiphyses are the ends
of the long bones. Lordosis is the exaggerated curvature of the lumbar spine.
When assessing a client's peripheral nerve function, the nurse uses an instrument to prick the fat pad at the top of the
client's small finger. This action will assess what nerve?
A. Radial
B. Ulnar
C. Median
D. Tibial
ANS: B
Rationale: The ulnar nerve is assessed for sensation by pricking the fat pad at the top of the small finger. The radial, median, and tibial nerves are not
assessed in this manner.
The results of a nurse's musculoskeletal examination show an increase in the lumbar curvature of the spine. The nurse
should recognize the presence of what health problem?
A. Osteoporosis
B. Kyphosis
C. Lordosis
D. Scoliosis
ANS: C
Rationale: The nurse documents the spinal abnormality as lordosis. Lordosis is an increase in lumbar curvature of the spine. Kyphosis is an increase in
the convex curvature of the spine. Scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine. Osteoporosis is the significant loss of bone mass and strength with an
increased risk for fracture.
what action?
A. Pricking the skin between the great and second toe
B. Stroking the skin on the sole of the client's foot
C. Pinching the skin between the thumb and index finger
D. Stroking the distal fat pad of the small finger
ANS: A
Rationale: The nurse will evaluate the sensation of the peroneal nerve by pricking the skin centered between the great and second toe. None of the other
listed actions elicits the function of one of the peripheral nerves.
A public health nurse is organizing a campaign that will address the leading cause of musculoskeletal-related disability.
The nurse should focus on what health problem?
A. Osteoporosis
B. Arthritis
C. Hip fractures
D. Lower back pain
ANS: B
Rationale: The leading cause of musculoskeletal-related disability is arthritis.
A nurse is providing care for a client whose pattern of laboratory testing reveals long-standing hypocalcemia. Which other
laboratory result is most consistent with this finding?
A. An elevated parathyroid hormone level
B. An increased calcitonin level
C. An elevated potassium level
D. A decreased vitamin D level
ANS: A
Rationale: In the response to low calcium levels in the blood, increased levels of parathyroid hormone prompt the mobilization of calcium and the
demineralization of bone. Increased calcitonin levels would exacerbate hypocalcemia. Vitamin D levels do not increase in response to low calcium levels.
Potassium levels would likely be unaffected.
A nurse is caring for a client whose cancer metastasis has resulted in bone pain. What should the nurse expect the client
to describe?
A. A dull, deep ache that is "boring" in nature
B. Soreness or aching that may include cramping
C. Sharp, piercing pain that is relieved by immobilization
D. Spastic or sharp pain that radiates
ANS: A
Rationale: Bone pain is characteristically described as a dull, deep ache that is "boring" in nature, whereas muscular pain is described as soreness or
aching and is referred to as "muscle cramps." Fracture pain is sharp and piercing and is relieved by immobilization. Sharp pain may also result from bone
infection with muscle spasm or pressure on a sensory nerve.
A nurse is assessing a client who is experiencing peripheral neurovascular dysfunction. Which assessment findings are
most consistent with this diagnosis?
A. Hot skin and a capillary refill of 1 to 2 seconds
B. Absence of feeling, capillary refill of 4 to 5 seconds, and cool skin
C. Pain, diaphoresis, and erythema
D. Jaundiced skin, weakness, and capillary refill of 3 seconds
ANS: B
Rationale: Indicators of peripheral neurovascular dysfunction include pale, cyanotic, or mottled skin with a cool temperature; capillary refill greater than 3
seconds; weakness or paralysis with motion; and paresthesia, unrelenting pain, pain on passive stretch, or absence of feeling. Jaundice, diaphoresis, and
warmth are inconsistent with peripheral neurovascular dysfunction.
, A client has symptoms of osteoporosis and is being assessed during an annual physical examination. The assessment
shows that the client will require further testing related to a possible exacerbation of osteoporosis. The nurse should
anticipate which diagnostic test?
A. Bone densitometry
B. Hip bone radiography
C. Computed tomography (CT)
D. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
ANS: A
Rationale: Bone densitometry is considered the most accurate test for osteoporosis and for predicting a fracture. As such, it is more likely to be used than
CT, MRI, or x-rays.
A client injured in a motor vehicle accident has sustained a fracture to the diaphysis of the right femur. Of which tissue is
the diaphysis of the femur mainly constructed?
A. Epiphyses
B. Cartilage
C. Cortical bone
D. Cancellous bone
ANS: C
Rationale: The long bone shaft, which is referred to as the diaphysis, is constructed primarily of cortical bone.
A client has come to the clinic for a regular check-up. The nurse's initial inspection reveals an increased thoracic curvature
of the client's spine. The nurse should document the presence of which condition?
A. Scoliosis
B. Epiphyses
C. Lordosis
D. Kyphosis
ANS: D
Rationale: Kyphosis is the increase in thoracic curvature of the spine. Scoliosis is a deviation in the lateral curvature of the spine. Epiphyses are the ends
of the long bones. Lordosis is the exaggerated curvature of the lumbar spine.
When assessing a client's peripheral nerve function, the nurse uses an instrument to prick the fat pad at the top of the
client's small finger. This action will assess what nerve?
A. Radial
B. Ulnar
C. Median
D. Tibial
ANS: B
Rationale: The ulnar nerve is assessed for sensation by pricking the fat pad at the top of the small finger. The radial, median, and tibial nerves are not
assessed in this manner.
The results of a nurse's musculoskeletal examination show an increase in the lumbar curvature of the spine. The nurse
should recognize the presence of what health problem?
A. Osteoporosis
B. Kyphosis
C. Lordosis
D. Scoliosis
ANS: C
Rationale: The nurse documents the spinal abnormality as lordosis. Lordosis is an increase in lumbar curvature of the spine. Kyphosis is an increase in
the convex curvature of the spine. Scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine. Osteoporosis is the significant loss of bone mass and strength with an
increased risk for fracture.
