A college student visits a campus health service reporting knee pain,

Musculoskeletal NCLEX Questions

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Question 1 of 5.

A college student visits a campus health service reporting knee pain, clicking when walking, 'locking,' and 'giving way' of the affected knee. The injury occurred when twisting the knee wrong during a tennis match. The nurse should further assess for which problem?

A. Injury of the meniscus cartilage

B. Fracture of the lateral tibial condyle

C. Injury and possible fractured patella

D. Lateral collateral ligament injury

Explanation: A. The nurse should assess for injury to the meniscus (knee) cartilage. Abrupt twisting can tear the cartilage, and the loose cartilage can cause locking of the joint, clicking, and the knee to 'give way.'

Question 2 of 5.

The 34-year-old male client presents to the outpatient clinic complaining of numbness and pain radiating down the left leg. Which further data should the nurse assess?

A. Posture and gait.

B. Bending and stooping.

C. Leg lifts and arm swing.

D. Waist twists and neck mobility.

Explanation: Numbness and radiating leg pain suggest sciatica from a herniated disk; assessing posture and gait evaluates nerve impingement effects. Other options are less specific to lumbar radiculopathy.

Question 3 of 5.

The nurse is administering 0730 medications to clients on a medical orthopedic unit. Which medication should be administered first?

A. The daily cardiac glycoside to a client diagnosed with back pain and heart failure.

B. The routine insulin to a client diagnosed with neck strain and type 1 diabetes.

C. The oral proton pump inhibitor to a client scheduled for a laminectomy this a.m.

D. The fourth dose of IV antibiotic for a client diagnosed with a surgical infection.

Explanation: Insulin for type 1 diabetes prevents hyperglycemia, a life-threatening risk, and takes priority. Cardiac glycoside, PPI, and antibiotics are important but less urgent.

Question 4 of 5.

Which client goal is most appropriate for a client diagnosed with OA?

A. Perform passive range-of-motion exercises.

B. Maintain optimal functional ability.

C. Client will walk three (3) miles every day.

D. Client will join a health club.

Explanation: Maintaining optimal function aligns with OA management, promoting mobility and independence. Passive ROM is inappropriate, 3 miles daily is unrealistic, and joining a health club is nonspecific.

Question 5 of 5.

The client diagnosed with osteoporosis asks the nurse, 'Why does smoking cigarettes cause my bones to be brittle?' Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

A. Smoking causes nutritional deficiencies, which contribute to osteoporosis.'

B. Tobacco causes an increase in blood supply to the bones, causing osteoporosis.'

C. Smoking low-tar cigarettes will not cause your bones to become brittle.'

D. Nicotine impairs the absorption of calcium, causing decreased bone strength.'

Explanation: Nicotine reduces calcium absorption, contributing to bone loss in osteoporosis. Nutritional deficiencies are secondary, blood supply does not increase, and low-tar cigarettes still harm bones.