ATI Medical-Surgical Week 8: Musculoskeletal and Immune Disorders
Exam 2026 |Questions |Answers
1. A nurse is teaching a client with osteoporosis about a new prescription for
alendronate. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. Take the medication with a full glass of milk.
B. Sit upright for at least 30 minutes after taking the drug.
C. Take the medication right before going to bed.
D. Chew the tablet to increase absorption speed.
Answer: B
Rationale: Alendronate can cause severe esophageal irritation; patients must remain
upright for 30 minutes and take it with plain water only.
2. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark sign of Systemic Lupus
Erythematosus (SLE)?
A. Butterfly rash across the bridge of the nose
B. Heberden’s nodes
C. Tophi on the outer ear
D. Ulnar deviation of the fingers
Answer: A
Rationale: A butterfly rash (malar rash) across the cheeks and nose is a classic diagnostic
feature of SLE.
,3. A client is diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Which of the following is
a characteristic finding of RA rather than Osteoarthritis?
A. Symmetrical joint swelling and pain
B. Morning stiffness lasting less than 30 minutes
C. Unilateral joint involvement
D. Crepitus with movement
Answer: A
Rationale: RA is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by symmetrical joint
involvement; OA is typically asymmetrical and localized.
4. A patient with a CD4+ T-cell count of 180 cells/mm3 is classified in which
stage of HIV infection?
A. Stage 1 (Acute Infection)
B. Stage 2 (Latency)
C. Stage 4 (Unknown)
D. Stage 3 (AIDS)
Answer: D
Rationale: A CD4+ count below 200 cells/mm3 defines the progression to AIDS (Stage 3).
5. A nurse is assessing a client for Compartment Syndrome following a leg
fracture. Which of the following is the earliest sign?
A. Absence of distal pulses
B. Paresthesia or numbness
C. Generalized weakness
D. Coolness of the extremity
Answer: B
Rationale: Paresthesia is often the first sign of compartment syndrome due to nerve
compression.
, 6. What dietary instruction should the nurse provide to a client with a new
diagnosis of Gout?
A. Increase intake of organ meats.
B. Avoid red wine and shellfish.
C. Decrease fluid intake to 1 liter per day.
D. Eat a diet high in purines.
Answer: B
Rationale: Gout management involves a low-purine diet, which excludes red meats, organ
meats, shellfish, and alcohol.
7. A nurse is caring for a client post-total hip arthroplasty. Which action helps
prevent hip dislocation?
A. Using an abductor pillow between the legs while in bed.
B. Flexing the hip to 120 degrees when sitting.
C. Maintaining the leg in an adducted position.
D. Encouraging the client to cross their legs.
Answer: A
Rationale: An abductor pillow maintains the hip in the correct alignment and prevents
adduction, which could lead to dislocation.
8. A client with Rheumatoid Arthritis is prescribed Methotrexate. What should
the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Blood glucose levels
B. Serum uric acid
C. Thyroid stimulating hormone
D. Complete blood count (CBC) and liver enzymes
Answer: D
Rationale: Methotrexate is an immunosuppressant that can cause bone marrow
suppression (monitored via CBC) and hepatotoxicity (monitored via LFTs).
Exam 2026 |Questions |Answers
1. A nurse is teaching a client with osteoporosis about a new prescription for
alendronate. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. Take the medication with a full glass of milk.
B. Sit upright for at least 30 minutes after taking the drug.
C. Take the medication right before going to bed.
D. Chew the tablet to increase absorption speed.
Answer: B
Rationale: Alendronate can cause severe esophageal irritation; patients must remain
upright for 30 minutes and take it with plain water only.
2. Which clinical manifestation is a hallmark sign of Systemic Lupus
Erythematosus (SLE)?
A. Butterfly rash across the bridge of the nose
B. Heberden’s nodes
C. Tophi on the outer ear
D. Ulnar deviation of the fingers
Answer: A
Rationale: A butterfly rash (malar rash) across the cheeks and nose is a classic diagnostic
feature of SLE.
,3. A client is diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Which of the following is
a characteristic finding of RA rather than Osteoarthritis?
A. Symmetrical joint swelling and pain
B. Morning stiffness lasting less than 30 minutes
C. Unilateral joint involvement
D. Crepitus with movement
Answer: A
Rationale: RA is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by symmetrical joint
involvement; OA is typically asymmetrical and localized.
4. A patient with a CD4+ T-cell count of 180 cells/mm3 is classified in which
stage of HIV infection?
A. Stage 1 (Acute Infection)
B. Stage 2 (Latency)
C. Stage 4 (Unknown)
D. Stage 3 (AIDS)
Answer: D
Rationale: A CD4+ count below 200 cells/mm3 defines the progression to AIDS (Stage 3).
5. A nurse is assessing a client for Compartment Syndrome following a leg
fracture. Which of the following is the earliest sign?
A. Absence of distal pulses
B. Paresthesia or numbness
C. Generalized weakness
D. Coolness of the extremity
Answer: B
Rationale: Paresthesia is often the first sign of compartment syndrome due to nerve
compression.
, 6. What dietary instruction should the nurse provide to a client with a new
diagnosis of Gout?
A. Increase intake of organ meats.
B. Avoid red wine and shellfish.
C. Decrease fluid intake to 1 liter per day.
D. Eat a diet high in purines.
Answer: B
Rationale: Gout management involves a low-purine diet, which excludes red meats, organ
meats, shellfish, and alcohol.
7. A nurse is caring for a client post-total hip arthroplasty. Which action helps
prevent hip dislocation?
A. Using an abductor pillow between the legs while in bed.
B. Flexing the hip to 120 degrees when sitting.
C. Maintaining the leg in an adducted position.
D. Encouraging the client to cross their legs.
Answer: A
Rationale: An abductor pillow maintains the hip in the correct alignment and prevents
adduction, which could lead to dislocation.
8. A client with Rheumatoid Arthritis is prescribed Methotrexate. What should
the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Blood glucose levels
B. Serum uric acid
C. Thyroid stimulating hormone
D. Complete blood count (CBC) and liver enzymes
Answer: D
Rationale: Methotrexate is an immunosuppressant that can cause bone marrow
suppression (monitored via CBC) and hepatotoxicity (monitored via LFTs).
