ATI LPN
Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017)
Chapter 41 : Management of Patients With Musculoskeletal Disorders Questions
Question 1 of 5
An orthopedic nurse is caring for a patient who is postoperative day one following foot surgery. What nursing intervention should be included in the patient's subsequent care?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Pain experienced by patients who undergo foot surgery is related to inflammation and edema.
To control the anticipated edema, the foot should be elevated on several pillows when the patient is sitting or lying. Regular dressing changes are performed and the wound should be kept dry. Hydrogen peroxide is not used to cleanse surgical wounds.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient who underwent foot surgery. The nurse is collaborating with the occupational therapist and discussing the use of assistive devices. On what variables does the choice of assistive devices primarily depend?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Assistive devices (e.g., crutches, walker) may be needed. The choice of the devices depends on the patient's general condition and balance, and on the weight-bearing prescription. The patient's strength, motivation, and weight restrictions are not what the choice of assistive devices is based on.
Question 3 of 5
A patient has come to the clinic for a routine annual physical. The nurse practitioner notes a palpable, painless projection of bone at the patient's shoulder. The projection appears to be at the distal end of the humerus. The nurse should suspect the presence of which of the following?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Osteochondroma is the most common benign bone tumor. It usually occurs as a large projection of bone at the end of long bones (at the knee or shoulder). Osteomyelitis, osteomalacia, and Paget's disease do not involve the development of excess bone tissue.
Question 4 of 5
An elderly female with osteoporosis has been hospitalized. Prior to discharge, when teaching the patient, the nurse should include information about which major complication of osteoporosis?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Bone fracture is a major complication of osteoporosis that results when loss of calcium and phosphate increases the fragility of bones. Estrogen deficiencies result from menopause, not osteoporosis. Calcium and vitamin D supplements may be used to support normal bone metabolism, but a negative calcium balance is not a complication of osteoporosis. Dowager's hump results from bone fractures. It develops when repeated vertebral fractures increase spinal curvature.
Question 5 of 5
An older adult patient sought care for the treatment of a swollen, painful knee joint. Diagnostic imaging and culturing of synovial fluid resulted in a diagnosis of septic arthritis. The nurse should prioritize which of the following aspects of care?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: IV antibiotics are the major treatment modality for septic arthritis; the nurse must ensure timely administration of these drugs. Corticosteroids are not used to treat septic arthritis and vitamin D levels are not necessarily affected. Falls prevention is important, but septic arthritis does not constitute the same fracture risk as diseases with decreased bone density.