ATI Medical-Surgical: Musculoskeletal & Immune Disorders Exam 8
2026 |Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is assessing a client following a total hip arthroplasty. Which of the
following findings should the nurse identify as a potential complication?
A. The client reports a pain level of 4 on a scale of 0 to 10.
B. The affected leg is shorter than the unaffected leg.
C. The client is able to perform ankle pumps.
D. The incision site is clean, dry, and intact.
Answer: B
Rationale: Shortening of the affected leg, along with external rotation and severe pain, are
classic signs of hip dislocation following an arthroplasty.
2. A nurse is teaching a client who has systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
about managing the disease. Which of the following instructions should the
nurse include?
A. Use a tanning bed to maintain skin color.
B. Apply powder to any skin rashes.
C. Wear a large-brimmed hat when outdoors.
D. Stop taking corticosteroids once the rash clears.
Answer: C
Rationale: Clients with SLE have photosensitivity. They should avoid sun exposure and use
protective clothing, such as hats and long sleeves, to prevent exacerbations.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client with a femur fracture who develops sudden
dyspnea and chest pain. Which of the following complications should the nurse
suspect?
A. Pneumonia
B. Fat embolism syndrome
C. Compartment syndrome
D. Hypovolemic shock
Answer: B
Rationale: Fat embolism syndrome is a risk with long bone fractures, characterized by
respiratory distress, chest pain, and petechiae on the chest and neck.
4. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who has HIV. Which of
the following results indicates the client has progressed to AIDS?
A. Negative ELISA test
B. WBC count 5,000/mm3
C. CD4+ T-lymphocyte count 150/mm3
D. Viral load of 1,000 copies/mL
Answer: C
Rationale: A diagnosis of AIDS is made when the CD4+ T-lymphocyte count drops below
200 cells/mm3 or when an opportunistic infection occurs.
5. A nurse is teaching a client about a new prescription for alendronate to treat
osteoporosis. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Take the medication with a full glass of milk.
B. Lie down for 30 minutes after taking the medication.
C. Take the medication 30 minutes before breakfast.
D. Crush the tablet if it is difficult to swallow.
Answer: C
, Rationale: Alendronate must be taken on an empty stomach with plain water at least 30
minutes before any food or other medications to ensure absorption.
6. A nurse is assessing a client who has a cast on their lower leg. Which of the
following findings is an early sign of compartment syndrome?
A. Absence of a pedal pulse
B. Paresthesia of the toes
C. Pallor of the skin
D. Paralysis of the limb
Answer: B
Rationale: Paresthesia (numbness or tingling) and pain disproportionate to the injury are
early signs of compartment syndrome; pulselessness is a late sign.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Which of the
following is a common manifestation of this condition?
A. Symmetric joint swelling
B. Heberden’s nodes
C. Asymmetric joint involvement
D. Increased bone density
Answer: A
Rationale: RA is a systemic inflammatory disease characterized by symmetric joint
involvement. Heberden’s nodes are characteristic of osteoarthritis.
8. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new prescription for
methotrexate for RA. Which instruction is most important?
A. Avoid crowds and people who are sick.
B. Take the medication with an antacid.
C. Expect the urine to turn orange.
D. Increase intake of vitamin K.
Answer: A
2026 |Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is assessing a client following a total hip arthroplasty. Which of the
following findings should the nurse identify as a potential complication?
A. The client reports a pain level of 4 on a scale of 0 to 10.
B. The affected leg is shorter than the unaffected leg.
C. The client is able to perform ankle pumps.
D. The incision site is clean, dry, and intact.
Answer: B
Rationale: Shortening of the affected leg, along with external rotation and severe pain, are
classic signs of hip dislocation following an arthroplasty.
2. A nurse is teaching a client who has systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
about managing the disease. Which of the following instructions should the
nurse include?
A. Use a tanning bed to maintain skin color.
B. Apply powder to any skin rashes.
C. Wear a large-brimmed hat when outdoors.
D. Stop taking corticosteroids once the rash clears.
Answer: C
Rationale: Clients with SLE have photosensitivity. They should avoid sun exposure and use
protective clothing, such as hats and long sleeves, to prevent exacerbations.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client with a femur fracture who develops sudden
dyspnea and chest pain. Which of the following complications should the nurse
suspect?
A. Pneumonia
B. Fat embolism syndrome
C. Compartment syndrome
D. Hypovolemic shock
Answer: B
Rationale: Fat embolism syndrome is a risk with long bone fractures, characterized by
respiratory distress, chest pain, and petechiae on the chest and neck.
4. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who has HIV. Which of
the following results indicates the client has progressed to AIDS?
A. Negative ELISA test
B. WBC count 5,000/mm3
C. CD4+ T-lymphocyte count 150/mm3
D. Viral load of 1,000 copies/mL
Answer: C
Rationale: A diagnosis of AIDS is made when the CD4+ T-lymphocyte count drops below
200 cells/mm3 or when an opportunistic infection occurs.
5. A nurse is teaching a client about a new prescription for alendronate to treat
osteoporosis. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Take the medication with a full glass of milk.
B. Lie down for 30 minutes after taking the medication.
C. Take the medication 30 minutes before breakfast.
D. Crush the tablet if it is difficult to swallow.
Answer: C
, Rationale: Alendronate must be taken on an empty stomach with plain water at least 30
minutes before any food or other medications to ensure absorption.
6. A nurse is assessing a client who has a cast on their lower leg. Which of the
following findings is an early sign of compartment syndrome?
A. Absence of a pedal pulse
B. Paresthesia of the toes
C. Pallor of the skin
D. Paralysis of the limb
Answer: B
Rationale: Paresthesia (numbness or tingling) and pain disproportionate to the injury are
early signs of compartment syndrome; pulselessness is a late sign.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Which of the
following is a common manifestation of this condition?
A. Symmetric joint swelling
B. Heberden’s nodes
C. Asymmetric joint involvement
D. Increased bone density
Answer: A
Rationale: RA is a systemic inflammatory disease characterized by symmetric joint
involvement. Heberden’s nodes are characteristic of osteoarthritis.
8. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new prescription for
methotrexate for RA. Which instruction is most important?
A. Avoid crowds and people who are sick.
B. Take the medication with an antacid.
C. Expect the urine to turn orange.
D. Increase intake of vitamin K.
Answer: A
