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NSG 555 Quiz 3
Practice Question Bank
NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Topic Focus: Rheumatology, Musculoskeletal, Orthopedics
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales 2
NSG 555 · Wilkes University Page 1
,NSG 555 PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is.
Category: Rheumatology, Musculoskeletal, Orthopedics
1 What is the workup for suspected bone cancer?
A Labs are often normal; if chronic indolent bone infection: elevated WBC, ESR, CRP,
ALP, Ca, phos, uric acid, LFTs; orthogonal digital radiographs; possibly bone scan,
PET scan; coordinate with orthopedic oncology
B Immediate bone biopsy is always required
C Only plain X-rays are needed
D Only serum calcium and phosphorus are needed
Correct Answer: A — Workup includes labs (often normal; elevated WBC, ESR, CRP, ALP,
Ca, phos, uric acid, LFTs if infection), orthogonal digital radiographs, possibly bone scan/PET,
and coordination with orthopedic oncology.
B — Biopsy is not always the first step.
C — Multiple imaging modalities may be needed.
D — Multiple labs are needed.
,2 What is bursitis?
A Inflammation of the fluid sac between joints, common in pseudogout, repetition, RA,
TB, DM, immunosuppression
B Inflammation of the tendon sheath
C Inflammation of the joint lining
D A degenerative joint disease
Correct Answer: A — Bursitis is inflammation of the fluid sac between joints, common in
pseudogout, repetition, RA, TB, DM, and immunosuppression.
B — This describes tenosynovitis.
C — This describes synovitis.
D — This describes osteoarthritis.
3 What are the Neer and Hawkins impingement signs associated with?
A Shoulder (subacromial) bursitis
B Olecranon bursitis
C Hip bursitis
D Trochanteric bursitis
Correct Answer: A — Neer and Hawkins impingement signs are associated with shoulder
(subacromial) bursitis.
B — Olecranon bursitis affects the elbow.
C — Hip bursitis is different.
D — Trochanteric bursitis is a type of hip bursitis.
, 4 What is olecranon bursitis and how is it treated?
A Posterior elbow swelling, often due to septic bursitis by Staph aureus; dx: fluid
aspiration for culture; start antibiotics
B Anterior elbow swelling; treat with steroids
C Lateral elbow swelling; treat with NSAIDs only
D Posterior elbow swelling; treat with compresses only
Correct Answer: A — Olecranon bursitis presents with posterior elbow swelling, often due
to septic bursitis by Staph aureus; diagnosis involves fluid aspiration for culture and
antibiotic treatment.
B — This is not the correct presentation.
C — This is not the correct presentation.
D — Antibiotics may be needed for septic bursitis.
5 What is hip bursitis?
A Over the greater trochanter of the femur; can create pressure over the bursa; bursa
is fluid-filled sac that reduces friction of tendons crossing bony prominence; when
irritated, becomes inflamed; S/S: snapping of hip when climbing stairs; TX: PRICES —
reduce activity
B Inflammation of the hip joint itself
C A condition of the sacroiliac joint
D An infection of the hip bone
Correct Answer: A — Hip bursitis occurs over the greater trochanter; presents with
snapping of the hip when climbing stairs; treated with PRICES and activity reduction.
B — Bursitis is not joint inflammation.
C — This is not sacroiliac joint pathology.
D — This is not an infection of the bone.
NSG 555 Quiz 3
Practice Question Bank
NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Topic Focus: Rheumatology, Musculoskeletal, Orthopedics
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales 2
NSG 555 · Wilkes University Page 1
,NSG 555 PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is.
Category: Rheumatology, Musculoskeletal, Orthopedics
1 What is the workup for suspected bone cancer?
A Labs are often normal; if chronic indolent bone infection: elevated WBC, ESR, CRP,
ALP, Ca, phos, uric acid, LFTs; orthogonal digital radiographs; possibly bone scan,
PET scan; coordinate with orthopedic oncology
B Immediate bone biopsy is always required
C Only plain X-rays are needed
D Only serum calcium and phosphorus are needed
Correct Answer: A — Workup includes labs (often normal; elevated WBC, ESR, CRP, ALP,
Ca, phos, uric acid, LFTs if infection), orthogonal digital radiographs, possibly bone scan/PET,
and coordination with orthopedic oncology.
B — Biopsy is not always the first step.
C — Multiple imaging modalities may be needed.
D — Multiple labs are needed.
,2 What is bursitis?
A Inflammation of the fluid sac between joints, common in pseudogout, repetition, RA,
TB, DM, immunosuppression
B Inflammation of the tendon sheath
C Inflammation of the joint lining
D A degenerative joint disease
Correct Answer: A — Bursitis is inflammation of the fluid sac between joints, common in
pseudogout, repetition, RA, TB, DM, and immunosuppression.
B — This describes tenosynovitis.
C — This describes synovitis.
D — This describes osteoarthritis.
3 What are the Neer and Hawkins impingement signs associated with?
A Shoulder (subacromial) bursitis
B Olecranon bursitis
C Hip bursitis
D Trochanteric bursitis
Correct Answer: A — Neer and Hawkins impingement signs are associated with shoulder
(subacromial) bursitis.
B — Olecranon bursitis affects the elbow.
C — Hip bursitis is different.
D — Trochanteric bursitis is a type of hip bursitis.
, 4 What is olecranon bursitis and how is it treated?
A Posterior elbow swelling, often due to septic bursitis by Staph aureus; dx: fluid
aspiration for culture; start antibiotics
B Anterior elbow swelling; treat with steroids
C Lateral elbow swelling; treat with NSAIDs only
D Posterior elbow swelling; treat with compresses only
Correct Answer: A — Olecranon bursitis presents with posterior elbow swelling, often due
to septic bursitis by Staph aureus; diagnosis involves fluid aspiration for culture and
antibiotic treatment.
B — This is not the correct presentation.
C — This is not the correct presentation.
D — Antibiotics may be needed for septic bursitis.
5 What is hip bursitis?
A Over the greater trochanter of the femur; can create pressure over the bursa; bursa
is fluid-filled sac that reduces friction of tendons crossing bony prominence; when
irritated, becomes inflamed; S/S: snapping of hip when climbing stairs; TX: PRICES —
reduce activity
B Inflammation of the hip joint itself
C A condition of the sacroiliac joint
D An infection of the hip bone
Correct Answer: A — Hip bursitis occurs over the greater trochanter; presents with
snapping of the hip when climbing stairs; treated with PRICES and activity reduction.
B — Bursitis is not joint inflammation.
C — This is not sacroiliac joint pathology.
D — This is not an infection of the bone.
