Musculoskeletal NCLEX Questions (71-75)

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71. A client has sustained a closed fracture and has just has a cast applied to the affected arm. The client is complaining of intense pain. The nurse has elevated the limb, applied an ice bag, and administered an analgesic, which has provided very little pain relief. The nurse interprets that this pain may be caused by:

a) infection under the cast
b) the anxiety of the client
c) impaired tissue perfusion
d) the newness of the fracture

72. The client with a fractured femur experiences sudden dyspnea. A set of arterial blood gases reveal the following: pH is 7.32, PaCO2 is 43, PaO2 is 58, and HCO3 is 20. Which of the following components of the ABG results supports the nurse's suspicion of fat embolus?

a) pH
b) PaO2
c) HCO3
d) PaCO2

73. The rehabilitation nurse is providing home care instruction for a client being discharged after above-the-knee amputation of the right lower limb with a fitted prosthesis. The nurse determines the client requires further teaching if the client makes which of the following statements?

a) I will elevate the residual limb on a pillow
b) I will change the residual limb sock everyday
c) I will check the residual limb for skin irritation daily
d) I will notify my prosthesis if my residual limb sock becomes stretched or ill-fitting

74. A client arrives at the clinic complaining of knee pain. On assessment the nurse notes that the knee area is swollen. The nurse interprets that the client's signs and symptoms likely indicate:

a) osteoporosis
b) a recent injury
c) rheumatoid arthritis
d) degenerative joint disease

75. A client seeks treatment in the emergency department for a lower leg injury. There is visible deformity to the lower aspect of the leg, and the injured leg appears shorter than the other leg. The area is painful, swollen, and beginning to become ecchymotic. The nurse interprets that this client has experienced a:

a) strain
b) sprain
c) fracture
d) contusion






Musculoskeletal NCLEX Questions
Answers and Rationale

71) C

- Most pain associated with fractures can be minimized with rest, elevation, application of cold, and administration of analgesics. Pain that is not relieved from these measures should be reported to the physician, because it may be caused by impaired tissue perfusion, tissue breakdown, or necrosis. Because this is a new closed fracture and cast, infection would not have had time to set in.

72) B

- A key feature of fat embolism is a significant degree of hypoxemia with a Pao2 often less than 60 mm Hg. Other features that distinguish fat embolism from pulmonary embolism are an elevated temperature and the presence of fat in the blood with fat embolus.

73) A

- Clients must avoid elevation of the residual limb to prevent flexion contractures of the right hip. Additionally, sitting in a chair should be limited to 1-hour intervals to avoid the same. If there is no contraindication, clients should lie in the prone position three to four times a day to promote hip extension. Limb socks should be removed daily, laundered in mild soap, and replaced with a clean sock. When the sock is removed, the residual limb should be inspected for erythema and excoriation. As the edema resolves, the residual limb shrinks and the sock may not fit properly, leading to skin irritation. The prosthetist should be notified of the ill-fitting sock.

74) B

- Pain and swelling are associated with musculoskeletal inflammation, infection, or a recent injury. Degenerative joint disease, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis may be accompanied by pain, but swelling may or may not be present.

75) C

- Typical signs and symptoms of fracture include pain, loss of function in the area, deformity, shortening of the extremity, crepitus, swelling, and ecchymosis. Not all fractures lead to the development of every sign. A strain results from a pulling force on the muscle. Symptoms include soreness and pain with muscle use. A sprain is an injury to a ligament caused by a wrenching or twisting motion. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and inability to use the joint or bear weight normally. A contusion results from a blow to soft tissue and causes pain, swelling, and ecchymosis.



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Musculoskeletal NCLEX Questions (1-8)


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Musculoskeletal NCLEX Questions (76-80)