ATI LPN
Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017)
Chapter 39 : Assessment of Musculoskeletal Function Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse's assessment of a teenage girl reveals that her shoulders are not level and that she has one prominent scapula that is accentuated by bending forward. The nurse should expect to read about what health problem in the patient's electronic health record?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Scoliosis is evidenced by an abnormal lateral curve in the spine, shoulders that are not level, an asymmetric waistline, and a prominent scapula, accentuated by bending forward. Lordosis is the curvature in the lower back; kyphosis is an exaggerated curvature of the upper back. This finding is not suggestive of muscular dystrophy.
Question 2 of 5
A patient is receiving ongoing nursing care for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. When assessing this patient's gait, what finding is most closely associated with this health problem?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A variety of neurologic conditions are associated with abnormal gaits, such as a spastic hemiparesis gait (stroke), steppage gait (lower motor neuron disease), and shuffling gait (Parkinson's disease). A rapid gait is not associated with Parkinson's disease.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is caring for a patient who has just had an arthroscopy as an outpatient and is getting ready to go home. The nurse should teach the patient to monitor closely for what postprocedure complication?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Following arthroscopy, the patient and family are informed of complications to watch for, including fever. Synovial fluid leakage is unlikely and crepitus would not develop as a postprocedure complication. Fasciculations are muscle twitches and do not involve joint integrity or function.
Question 4 of 5
A patient is undergoing diagnostic testing for suspected Paget's disease. What assessment finding is most consistent with this diagnosis?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Serum calcium levels are altered in patients with osteomalacia, parathyroid dysfunction, Paget's disease, metastatic bone tumors, or prolonged immobilization. Paget's disease is not directly associated with altered magnesium, potassium, or sodium levels.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is caring for a patient with a diagnosis of cancer that has metastasized. What laboratory value would the nurse expect to be elevated in this patient?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Alkaline phosphatase is elevated during early fracture healing and in diseases with increased osteoblastic activity (e.g., metastatic bone tumors). Elevated bilirubin, potassium, and creatinine would not be expected in a patient with metastatic bone tumors.