Deck 12: Assessing the Motor-Musculoskeletal System

Question 1

Which disease process is associated with the aging process?

A) Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
B) Lyme disease
C) Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
D) Degenerative joint disease (DJD)

Answer 1

Degenerative joint disease (DJD)

Question 2

A patient who is able to elevate his or her arm, but not against resistance, should be given which rating?

A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4

Answer 2

3

Question 3

The nurse uses the Phalen test to assessment for which item?

A) ROM of shoulder
B) ROM of hip
C) Hemiparesis
D) Carpal tunnel syndrome

Answer 3

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Question 4

The nurse is providing care to an older adult patient who is a retired farmer. The patient reports hip pain that worsens as the day progresses. Which diagnosis does the nurse anticipate based on this data?

A) Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
B) Osteoarthritis
C) Tendinitis
D) Acute infection

Question 5

The nurse is providing care to an older adult patient with congestive heart failure. The patient reports fatigue when trying to get up and walk. The patient is prescribed digoxin and Lasix (furosemide). Which is the most likely cause for the patient's current problem?

A) Diminished blood flow to the brain
B) Diminished blood flow to the extremities
C) Hypokalemia
D) Hyperkalemia

Question 6

The nurse is assessing an adult patient who reports painful joints. Upon further assessment the nurse notes a bull's-eye rash on the patient's thigh. Based on this data which diagnosis does the nurse suspect?

A) Lyme disease
B) Myasthenia gravis
C) Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
D) Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Question 7

Which structure connects bones to one another?

A) Fasciculi
B) Tendons
C) Ligaments
D) Cartilage

Question 8

The nurse plans to use a goniometer during the physical assessment. Which is assessed using this tool?

A) Extremity length
B) Muscle strength
C) Muscle tension
D) Range of motion (ROM)

Question 9

Which is a function of the musculoskeletal system?

A) Potassium storage
B) Hematopoiesis
C) Vitamin D storage
D) Digestion

Question 10

Which is not involved with a coordinated gait?

A) Heel strike, foot flat, midstance, push off.
B) Arms swing in same direction as feet.
C) Arms swing in opposition of feet.
D) Base of support 2 to 4 inches.

Question 11

Which is the nurse evaluating when conducting the Romberg test?

A) Coordination
B) Cerebral function
C) Cerebellar function
D) Gait

Question 12

The nurse is assessing an adolescent for scoliosis. Which action is appropriate?

A) Asking the patient to bend forward at the waist with the arms hanging and relaxed
B) Asking the patient to stand straight and twist to the right, then the left
C) Asking the patient to flatten the back against the wall
D) All of the above

Question 13

Which is an example of a ball-and-socket joint?

A) Thumb
B) Elbow
C) Wrist
D) Shoulder

Question 14

Which landmarks does the nurse use to measure true leg length?

A) Anterior superior iliac crest to the medial malleolus
B) Sternal notch to the medial malleolus
C) Umbilicus to the medial malleolus
D) Umbilicus to the tibia

Question 15

Which process of aging is responsible for loss in height?

A) Thinning of intervertebral discs
B) Decreased subcutaneous fat
C) Muscle atrophy
D) Arthritis

Question 16

Which individual is at the least risk for developing osteoporosis?

A) 65-year-old Asian female
B) 72-year-old African American male
C) 75-year-old French male
D) 62-year-old Hispanic female

Question 17

Which changes during pregnancy account for the waddling gait?

A) Lordosis compensating for enlarging fetus
B) Kyphosis compensating for lordosis
C) Increased mobility in the sacroiliac, sacrococcygeal, and symphysis pubis joints
D) Pressure on the ulnar and median nerves creating aching, numbness, and weakness

Question 18

In assessing a pediatric patient, which variation would be considered abnormal?

A) Genu valgum
B) Genu varum
C) Scoliosis
D) Lordosis

Question 19

The nurse is assessing for a herniated nucleus pulposus. Which action is appropriate?

A) Asking the patient to flex hands back to back at a 90-degree angle
B) Asking the patient to raise the affected leg and dorsiflex the foot
C) Asking the patient to elevate both arms over the head for 20 to 30 seconds
D) Percussing lightly over the median nerve

Question 20

Where does lengthening of the long bones occur?

A) Epiphyses
B) Shaft
C) Cartilage
D) Osteoclasts

Question 21

Which variation in gait is normal for a toddler-age patient?

A) Shuffling gait
B) Increased stride length
C) Wide support base
D) Toeing in

Question 22

The nurse is assessing a patient who is prescribed Phenytoin for a seizure condition. Which adverse reaction will the nurse monitor the patient for during the motor-musculoskeletal assessment?

A) Osteoporosis
B) Ataxia
C) Muscle pain
D) Myopathy

Question 23

Which term is used to describe involuntary muscle contractions occurring during or after voluntary movements?

A) Tremor
B) Scissor gain
C) Genu valgum
D) Genu varum

Question 24

Which test would best assess for fluid in the knee joint?

A) Bulge test
B) Thomas test
C) Apley test
D) Trendelenburg test

Question 25

The nurse is assessing a patient's limb measurements. Where should the nurse measure arm length?

A) From the humerus to the tip of the middle finger
B) From the humerus to the wrist
C) From the acromion process to the tip of the middle finger
D) From the acromion process to the wrist

Question 26

Which occurs when a patient exhibits a negative Romberg test?

A) Ringing in the ears
B) Minimal swaying
C) Confusion
D) Vomiting

Question 27

An adolescent patient is brought to the emergency department (ED) after injuring a knee during a basketball game. Assessment reveals a positive McMurray test. What does this finding suggest?

A) Torn cartilage
B) Effusion in the joint
C) Bruised patella
D) Joint instability

Question 28

Which technique would best assess for a herniated disc?

A) Tinel test
B) Apley test
C) herniated disc test
D) McMurray test on each leg

Question 29

The school nurse is performing spinal assessments. In what two positions should the nurse inspect the spine?

A) Sitting up and standing straight
B) Lying supine and in a lateral recumbent position
C) Standing straight and lying supine
D) Standing straight and bending forward from the waist

Question 30

Which grade for muscle strength is documented for a patient with active motion against full resistance?

A) + 2
B) + 3
C) + 4
D) + 5

Question 31

The nurse detects a difference in the patient's leg lengths. Which is considered abnormal?

A) No difference
B) 1 cm
C) 0.8 cm
D) 2 cm

Question 32

The nurse is assessing a toddler-age patient during a scheduled examination. When assessing the spine, which normal developmental change may be noted?

A) Kyphosis
B) Lordosis
C) Scoliosis
D) Kyphoscoliosis

Question 33

The nurse assesses the ROM of the spine. Besides flexion, hyperextension, and lateral bending, spinal ROM includes which other movement?

A) Rotation
B) Circumduction
C) Inversion
D) Protraction

Question 34

Which term is used to describe quivering-like contractions of small muscle fiber bundles?

A) Lordosis
B) Scoliosis
C) Neologism
D) Fasciculation

Question 35

Which is an expected assessment finding during infancy?

A) C-shaped spine
B) Slow growth
C) Pot belly appearance
D) Scoliosis

Question 36

Which cultural group is at an increased risk for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) from hyperplasia of connective tissue?

A) African Americans
B) Egyptian Americans
C) Chinese Americans
D) Filipino Americans

Question 37

Where should the nurse measure apparent leg length?

A) From the posterior superior iliac spine to the medial tibialis
B) From the posterior superior iliac spine to the medial malleolus
C) From the anterior superior iliac spine to the medial tibialis
D) From the umbilicus to the medial malleolus