ATI RN
Questions About the Muscular System Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse adds interventions for range-of-motion (ROM) and isometric exercises for the new patient with a stroke because the nurse is aware that contracture formation begins as early as day(s) of immobilization.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Contractures begin forming when muscles and joints remain immobile for an extended period, with evidence suggesting this process can start within a few days. In stroke patients, paralysis or weakness often leads to immobility, and research indicates that muscle shortening and joint stiffness can emerge as early as 3 days without movement. One day is too short for significant changes, as tissues need sustained inactivity to adapt pathologically. Two days may show minor stiffness, but 3 days aligns with clinical observations of early contracture onset. Ten days is far too long, as by then contractures would likely be well-established, not just beginning. ROM and isometric exercises are thus introduced early to maintain flexibility and muscle tone, preventing this rapid complication in stroke recovery.
Question 2 of 5
A patient with osteoporosis calls the nurse in the doctor s office to report that she has forgotten to take her weekly bisphosphonate (alendronate [Fosamax]) for 2 days past the weekly time. The nurse should advise the patient to:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Bisphosphonates like alendronate are taken weekly to slow bone loss in osteoporosis, with strict timing to maximize absorption and minimize side effects. Missing it by 2 days means taking it late could overlap with the next dose, risking irritation or reduced efficacy. Taking it now is tempting but disrupts the schedule. Two doses 3 days apart or doubling up now with a snack (which impairs absorption) violate dosing guidelines, potentially causing esophageal harm. Skipping this week and resuming next week maintains the regimen's consistency and safety, as the drug's long-acting nature means one missed dose won't drastically affect treatment, making it the best advice for adherence and health.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is performing an assessment on the patient who is in bilateral Buck s traction. Which finding indicates the need to reposition the patient?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Buck's traction uses weights and pulleys to align a leg fracture, requiring proper positioning to avoid complications. Heels not touching the mattress suggest the legs are elevated or misaligned, risking pressure on the heels or traction ineffectiveness, necessitating repositioning. Rewrapping bandages addresses maintenance, not position. Feet against the footboard could indicate too much pull, but it's less urgent if traction remains functional. Free-hanging weights are correct for traction. Heels off the bed signal a positional flaw, potentially causing skin breakdown or misalignment, making it the priority for adjustment to ensure therapeutic effect.
Question 4 of 5
A muscle that assists the prime mover by reducing undesired action or unnecessary movement.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Synergists are muscles that assist the prime mover by stabilizing joints or reducing unwanted movements, enhancing the efficiency of the intended action. For example, when flexing the elbow, synergist muscles stabilize the wrist to focus the biceps' effort. Antagonist' muscles oppose the prime mover, not assist it. Intramuscular (IM) injection is a medical procedure, not a muscle type. The prime mover is the primary muscle responsible for the action, not an assistant. Synergists play a crucial supportive role in refining movement, making them the correct choice, as they align with the description of reducing unnecessary motion while complementing the prime mover's function.
Question 5 of 5
Your friend nods yes to you, going through flexion, extension and hyperextension. This movement at the fulcrum represents a
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Nodding yes involves flexion, extension, and hyperextension of the neck, with the skull pivoting at the atlanto-occipital joint (fulcrum). This is a first-class lever, where the fulcrum (joint) lies between the effort (neck muscles, like the splenius) and the load (head weight). Like a seesaw, the head rocks forward and back. Second-class levers (e.g., standing on tiptoes) have the load between fulcrum and effort, not applicable here. Third-class levers (e.g., biceps curl) place effort between fulcrum and load, unlike nodding. The first-class lever system matches the neck's motion, making it the correct answer, as it aligns with the anatomical mechanics of head movement at the fulcrum.