Chapter 36- Musculoskeletal
Disorders Exams Questions
with Correct Answers
User [Date] [Course title]
,A nurse is caring for an adult client diagnosed with a back strain. What health education should the
nurse provide to this client?
A. Avoid lifting more than one-third of body weight without assistance.
B. Focus on using back muscles efficiently when lifting heavy objects.
C. Lift objects while holding the object a safe distance from the body.
D. Tighten the abdominal muscles and lock the knees when lifting an object. - Correct Answer: ANS: A
Rationale: The nurse will instruct the client on the safe and correct way to lift objects—using the strong
quadriceps muscles of the thighs, with minimal use of the weaker back muscles. To prevent recurrence
of acute low back pain, the nurse may instruct the client to avoid lifting more than one-third of the
client's body weight without help. The client should be informed to place the feet hip-width apart to
provide a wide base of support. The person should then bend the knees, tighten the abdominal muscles,
and lift the object close to the body with a smooth motion, avoiding twisting and jerking.
A nurse is discussing conservative management of tendonitis with a client. What is the nurse's best
recommendation?
A. Weight reduction
B. Use of oral opioid analgesics
C. Intermittent application of ice and heat
D. Passive range of motion exercises - Correct Answer: ANS: C
Rationale: Conservative management of tendonitis includes rest of the extremity, intermittent ice and
heat to the joint, and NSAIDs. Weight reduction may prevent future injuries but will not relieve existing
tendonitis. Range-of-motion exercises may exacerbate pain. Opioids would not be considered a
conservative treatment measure
A client presents at a clinic reports heel pain that impairs walking ability. The client is subsequently
diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. This client's plan of care should include what intervention?
A. Wrapping the affected area in lamb's wool or gauze to relieve pressure
B. Gently stretching the foot and the Achilles tendon
C. Wearing open-toed shoes at all times
D. Applying topical analgesic ointment to plantar surface each morning - Correct Answer: ANS: B
, Rationale: Plantar fasciitis leads to pain that is localized to the anterior medial aspect of the heel and
diminishes with gentle stretching of the foot and Achilles tendon. Dressings of any kind are not of
therapeutic benefit and analgesic ointments do not address the pathology of the problem. Open-toed
shoes are of no particular benefit.
A nurse is teaching an educational class to a group of older adults at a community center. In an effort to
prevent osteoporosis, the nurse should encourage participants to ensure that they consume the
recommended intake of what nutrients? Select all that apply.
A. Vitamin B12
B. Potassium
C. Calcitonin
D. Calcium
E. Vitamin D - Correct Answer: ANS: D, E
Rationale: A diet rich in calcium and vitamin D protects against skeletal demineralization. Intake of
vitamin B12 and potassium does not directly influence the risk for osteoporosis. Calcitonin is not
considered to be a dietary nutrient.
A nurse is providing a class on osteoporosis at the local center for older adults. Which statement related
to osteoporosis is most accurate?
A. High levels of vitamin D can cause osteoporosis.
B. A nonmodifiable risk factor for osteoporosis is a person's level of activity.
C. Secondary osteoporosis occurs in women after menopause.
D. The use of corticosteroids increases the risk of osteoporosis. - Correct Answer: ANS: D
Rationale: Corticosteroid therapy is a secondary cause of osteoporosis when taken for long-term use.
Adequate levels of vitamin D are needed for absorption of calcium. A person's level of physical activity is
a modifiable factor that influences peak bone mass. Lack of activity increases the risk for the
development of osteoporosis. Primary osteoporosis occurs in women after menopause.
A nurse is teaching a client with osteomalacia about the role of diet. What would be the best choice for
breakfast for a client with osteomalacia?
A. Cereal with milk, a scrambled egg, and grapefruit
Disorders Exams Questions
with Correct Answers
User [Date] [Course title]
,A nurse is caring for an adult client diagnosed with a back strain. What health education should the
nurse provide to this client?
A. Avoid lifting more than one-third of body weight without assistance.
B. Focus on using back muscles efficiently when lifting heavy objects.
C. Lift objects while holding the object a safe distance from the body.
D. Tighten the abdominal muscles and lock the knees when lifting an object. - Correct Answer: ANS: A
Rationale: The nurse will instruct the client on the safe and correct way to lift objects—using the strong
quadriceps muscles of the thighs, with minimal use of the weaker back muscles. To prevent recurrence
of acute low back pain, the nurse may instruct the client to avoid lifting more than one-third of the
client's body weight without help. The client should be informed to place the feet hip-width apart to
provide a wide base of support. The person should then bend the knees, tighten the abdominal muscles,
and lift the object close to the body with a smooth motion, avoiding twisting and jerking.
A nurse is discussing conservative management of tendonitis with a client. What is the nurse's best
recommendation?
A. Weight reduction
B. Use of oral opioid analgesics
C. Intermittent application of ice and heat
D. Passive range of motion exercises - Correct Answer: ANS: C
Rationale: Conservative management of tendonitis includes rest of the extremity, intermittent ice and
heat to the joint, and NSAIDs. Weight reduction may prevent future injuries but will not relieve existing
tendonitis. Range-of-motion exercises may exacerbate pain. Opioids would not be considered a
conservative treatment measure
A client presents at a clinic reports heel pain that impairs walking ability. The client is subsequently
diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. This client's plan of care should include what intervention?
A. Wrapping the affected area in lamb's wool or gauze to relieve pressure
B. Gently stretching the foot and the Achilles tendon
C. Wearing open-toed shoes at all times
D. Applying topical analgesic ointment to plantar surface each morning - Correct Answer: ANS: B
, Rationale: Plantar fasciitis leads to pain that is localized to the anterior medial aspect of the heel and
diminishes with gentle stretching of the foot and Achilles tendon. Dressings of any kind are not of
therapeutic benefit and analgesic ointments do not address the pathology of the problem. Open-toed
shoes are of no particular benefit.
A nurse is teaching an educational class to a group of older adults at a community center. In an effort to
prevent osteoporosis, the nurse should encourage participants to ensure that they consume the
recommended intake of what nutrients? Select all that apply.
A. Vitamin B12
B. Potassium
C. Calcitonin
D. Calcium
E. Vitamin D - Correct Answer: ANS: D, E
Rationale: A diet rich in calcium and vitamin D protects against skeletal demineralization. Intake of
vitamin B12 and potassium does not directly influence the risk for osteoporosis. Calcitonin is not
considered to be a dietary nutrient.
A nurse is providing a class on osteoporosis at the local center for older adults. Which statement related
to osteoporosis is most accurate?
A. High levels of vitamin D can cause osteoporosis.
B. A nonmodifiable risk factor for osteoporosis is a person's level of activity.
C. Secondary osteoporosis occurs in women after menopause.
D. The use of corticosteroids increases the risk of osteoporosis. - Correct Answer: ANS: D
Rationale: Corticosteroid therapy is a secondary cause of osteoporosis when taken for long-term use.
Adequate levels of vitamin D are needed for absorption of calcium. A person's level of physical activity is
a modifiable factor that influences peak bone mass. Lack of activity increases the risk for the
development of osteoporosis. Primary osteoporosis occurs in women after menopause.
A nurse is teaching a client with osteomalacia about the role of diet. What would be the best choice for
breakfast for a client with osteomalacia?
A. Cereal with milk, a scrambled egg, and grapefruit
