ATI RN
Multiple Choice Questions Muscular System Questions
Question 1 of 5
Which muscle type(s) can be accurately described as visceral, nonstriated and involuntary?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Smooth muscle, found in visceral organs like the stomach and blood vessels, lacks striations due to its unorganized actin and myosin arrangement, unlike the sarcomeres of skeletal and cardiac muscle. It operates involuntarily, controlled by the autonomic nervous system, enabling functions like peristalsis without conscious effort. Skeletal muscle, attached to bones, is striated and voluntary, governed by the somatic nervous system for deliberate movements. Cardiac muscle, in the heart, is striated with intercalated discs and involuntary, but its rhythmic contractions distinguish it from smooth muscle's slower, sustained actions. Visceral typically denotes internal organs, aligning with smooth muscle's role, not cardiac or skeletal. Histologically, smooth muscle's spindle-shaped, uninucleate cells contrast with skeletal's multinucleate fibers and cardiac's branched structure. Physiological texts emphasize smooth muscle's unique calcium regulation via calmodulin, not troponin, reinforcing its distinct involuntary nature. This specificity clarifies why only smooth muscle fits all three descriptors, avoiding overlap with striated types.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse informs the patient that the frequency of range-of-motion (ROM) exercises should be:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Range-of-motion exercises need to be frequent enough to maintain joint mobility and prevent stiffness, especially in patients at risk of contractures. Performing them 3 to 4 times a day ensures joints are moved through their full range multiple times, counteracting the effects of immobility without overtaxing the patient. Once a day is insufficient, as stiffness can develop within hours of inactivity. Twice daily (morning and afternoon) improves on that but may still allow periods of prolonged immobility. Four to six times might be ideal for severe cases but could exhaust the patient or staff resources unnecessarily. The 3 to 4 times recommendation balances efficacy and practicality, promoting flexibility and circulation while fitting into a realistic care schedule.
Question 3 of 5
When an 88-year-old patient enters the room for her health assessment, she walks with tiny steps, her shoulders are rounded and hunched, and her arms are crossed in front of her with her hands tucked in her armpits. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The patient's posture tiny steps, hunched shoulders, and arms crossed with hands tucked suggests she might be cold, as this is a common way to conserve heat. Asking about coldness directly addresses a likely physical cause, opening a dialogue to assess further. Stomach pain might cause hunching but not typically arm-crossing or tiny steps. Shoe size could affect gait, but the full posture doesn't align with that alone. Asking if she always walks like this assumes a chronic issue without exploring immediate discomfort. The coldness question is most appropriate, as it's empathetic, specific to the observed behavior, and prompts clarification, guiding the nurse to tailor care effectively.
Question 4 of 5
The patient in a long arm cast (from below the shoulder to the wrist, with a 90-degree elbow flexion) complains of a burning sensation over the elbow. The nurse s initial intervention should be:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A burning sensation over the elbow in a cast suggests pressure or irritation, possibly from swelling or a tight fit. Elevating the arm on pillows is the initial step, as it reduces swelling by improving venous return, potentially relieving pressure on the elbow without invasive action. Checking support is useful but secondary, as elevation addresses the immediate cause. Notifying the charge nurse assumes a pressure ulcer without assessment, which is premature. Cutting a window is a last resort, requiring medical orders. Elevation is a safe, effective first response, tackling the likely swelling-related discomfort while preserving the cast's integrity for further evaluation.
Question 5 of 5
A group of skeletal muscles, their associated blood vessels, and associated nerves with a common function.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In anatomy, a compartment refers to a group of skeletal muscles along with their associated blood vessels and nerves that work together to perform a specific function. This term is commonly used to describe the organization of muscles in the limbs, such as the anterior or posterior compartments of the leg or forearm. These compartments are separated by fascia, which helps coordinate movement and maintain structural integrity. The anal triangle is a specific region of the pelvic floor, not a muscle group with a common function. The diaphragm is a single muscle involved in respiration, not a group of muscles. An aponeurosis is a broad, flat tendon-like structure that connects muscles to bones or other muscles, but it does not encompass a group of muscles with their blood vessels and nerves. Therefore, compartment is the most accurate term for this definition, as it aligns with the anatomical description of muscle organization.