ATI Medical-Surgical: Musculoskeletal & Immune Disorders Exam
2026 |Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is assessing a client with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Which of the
following findings is characteristic of RA rather than Osteoarthritis?
A. Unilateral joint involvement
B. Joint pain that improves with rest
C. Symmetrical joint swelling and pain
D. Crepitus with range of motion
Answer: C
Rationale: Rheumatoid Arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by
symmetrical joint involvement. Osteoarthritis is typically asymmetrical and pain often
improves with rest.
2. A nurse is teaching a client about a DEXA scan. Which of the following
statements should the nurse include?
A. You will need to remain NPO for 8 hours before the test.
B. A radioactive isotope will be injected into your vein.
C. The test measures bone density to screen for osteoporosis.
D. You must remain still for at least 2 hours.
Answer: C
Rationale: Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) is the gold standard for measuring
bone mineral density and diagnosing osteoporosis.
,3. A client is 4 hours postoperative following a total hip arthroplasty. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Maintain the hip at a 120-degree angle when sitting.
B. Encourage the client to cross their legs at the ankles.
C. Place an abduction pillow between the client’s legs.
D. Keep the operative leg in an adducted position.
Answer: C
Rationale: An abduction pillow or wedge is used to prevent adduction and internal
rotation, which could cause dislocation of the new hip prosthesis.
4. A nurse is assessing a client for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Which of
the following is a classic skin manifestation of this condition?
A. Scaly patches on the elbows
B. Jaundice of the sclera
C. Painless vesicles on the trunk
D. Butterfly rash across the bridge of the nose and cheeks
Answer: D
Rationale: A butterfly rash (malar rash) across the nose and cheeks is a hallmark sign of
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
5. A client with an arm cast reports increased pain that is not relieved by
elevation or medication. Which of the following is the priority action?
A. Perform a neurovascular assessment and check for pulselessness.
B. Administer an additional dose of pain medication.
C. Apply an ice pack to the cast.
D. Teach the client relaxation techniques.
Answer: A
Rationale: Unrelieved pain is a primary sign of Compartment Syndrome, a surgical
emergency requiring immediate neurovascular assessment.
, 6. Which lab value is most specific to a diagnosis of Gout?
A. Increased Calcium
B. Increased Serum Uric Acid
C. Decreased Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
D. Decreased White Blood Cell count
Answer: B
Rationale: Gout is caused by hyperuricemia, leading to the deposition of urate crystals in
joints; therefore, elevated serum uric acid is a key finding.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with HIV. Which of the following lab results
indicates the client has progressed to AIDS?
A. CD4+ T-cell count of 150 cells/mm3
B. WBC count of 5,000/mm3
C. CD4+ T-cell count of 600 cells/mm3
D. Positive Western Blot test
Answer: A
Rationale: A CD4+ T-cell count below 200 cells/mm3 or the presence of an AIDS-defining
illness indicates the progression from HIV to AIDS.
8. A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client with a new diagnosis of
Fibromyalgia. Which of the following should be included?
A. Limit physical activity to bed rest during flare-ups.
B. Expect joint deformities over time.
C. Avoid low-impact aerobic exercise.
D. Establish a regular sleep pattern.
Answer: D
Rationale: Fibromyalgia management includes maintaining a regular sleep schedule, low-
impact exercise, and stress reduction; it does not cause joint deformities.
2026 |Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is assessing a client with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Which of the
following findings is characteristic of RA rather than Osteoarthritis?
A. Unilateral joint involvement
B. Joint pain that improves with rest
C. Symmetrical joint swelling and pain
D. Crepitus with range of motion
Answer: C
Rationale: Rheumatoid Arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by
symmetrical joint involvement. Osteoarthritis is typically asymmetrical and pain often
improves with rest.
2. A nurse is teaching a client about a DEXA scan. Which of the following
statements should the nurse include?
A. You will need to remain NPO for 8 hours before the test.
B. A radioactive isotope will be injected into your vein.
C. The test measures bone density to screen for osteoporosis.
D. You must remain still for at least 2 hours.
Answer: C
Rationale: Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) is the gold standard for measuring
bone mineral density and diagnosing osteoporosis.
,3. A client is 4 hours postoperative following a total hip arthroplasty. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Maintain the hip at a 120-degree angle when sitting.
B. Encourage the client to cross their legs at the ankles.
C. Place an abduction pillow between the client’s legs.
D. Keep the operative leg in an adducted position.
Answer: C
Rationale: An abduction pillow or wedge is used to prevent adduction and internal
rotation, which could cause dislocation of the new hip prosthesis.
4. A nurse is assessing a client for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Which of
the following is a classic skin manifestation of this condition?
A. Scaly patches on the elbows
B. Jaundice of the sclera
C. Painless vesicles on the trunk
D. Butterfly rash across the bridge of the nose and cheeks
Answer: D
Rationale: A butterfly rash (malar rash) across the nose and cheeks is a hallmark sign of
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
5. A client with an arm cast reports increased pain that is not relieved by
elevation or medication. Which of the following is the priority action?
A. Perform a neurovascular assessment and check for pulselessness.
B. Administer an additional dose of pain medication.
C. Apply an ice pack to the cast.
D. Teach the client relaxation techniques.
Answer: A
Rationale: Unrelieved pain is a primary sign of Compartment Syndrome, a surgical
emergency requiring immediate neurovascular assessment.
, 6. Which lab value is most specific to a diagnosis of Gout?
A. Increased Calcium
B. Increased Serum Uric Acid
C. Decreased Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
D. Decreased White Blood Cell count
Answer: B
Rationale: Gout is caused by hyperuricemia, leading to the deposition of urate crystals in
joints; therefore, elevated serum uric acid is a key finding.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with HIV. Which of the following lab results
indicates the client has progressed to AIDS?
A. CD4+ T-cell count of 150 cells/mm3
B. WBC count of 5,000/mm3
C. CD4+ T-cell count of 600 cells/mm3
D. Positive Western Blot test
Answer: A
Rationale: A CD4+ T-cell count below 200 cells/mm3 or the presence of an AIDS-defining
illness indicates the progression from HIV to AIDS.
8. A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client with a new diagnosis of
Fibromyalgia. Which of the following should be included?
A. Limit physical activity to bed rest during flare-ups.
B. Expect joint deformities over time.
C. Avoid low-impact aerobic exercise.
D. Establish a regular sleep pattern.
Answer: D
Rationale: Fibromyalgia management includes maintaining a regular sleep schedule, low-
impact exercise, and stress reduction; it does not cause joint deformities.
