WGU D236 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY MUSCULOSKELETAL EXAM
REVIEW 2026/2027 | SECTION 2 COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE | HIGH-
YIELD PRACTICE QUESTIONS | VERIFIED ANSWERS|
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM PREP
1. This is the most common form of joint disease and is routinely referred to as
degenerative joint disease.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoporosis
Osteoarthritis
Metabolic bone disorders
2. Describe the role of articular cartilage in joint function and how its
breakdown affects mobility.
Articular cartilage helps in muscle attachment, and its breakdown
leads to muscle weakness.
Articular cartilage provides lubrication and cushioning for joints,
and its breakdown leads to pain and reduced mobility.
Articular cartilage is responsible for bone formation, and its
breakdown causes fractures.
Articular cartilage protects nerves, and its breakdown causes nerve
damage.
3. A 70-year-old patient presents with a wrist fracture after a minor fall.
Considering the patient's age and the fracture location, what condition
should be suspected?
Osteoporosis
Avascular necrosis
Rheumatoid arthritis
, Tendinitis
4. Which hormone is responsible for regulating calcium levels by mobilizing
calcium from the bone, promoting calcium absorption from the intestines,
and promoting calcium reabsorption from the renal tubules?
Thyroid Hormone (TH)
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)
Growth Hormone (GH)
5. What is the primary therapeutic effect of teriparatide in patients with
osteoporosis?
Decreased pain
Increased bone density
Reduced fracture risk
Improved joint mobility
6. You are treating a patient admitted after a motor vehicle accident who
sustained a fracture to the tibia. During the initial exam, the patient's pain is
severe, and an intra-compartmental pressure monitor shows elevated
compartment pressure.Which complication does this patient have?
Infection
Pulmonary embolism
Compartment syndrome
Fat embolism syndrome
7. What diagnostic test is used to measure trabecular bone density in the spine?
, X-ray
DEXA scan
MRI
CT scan
8. If a patient shows signs of osteoporosis, how would a dual energy x-ray
absorptiometry scan be utilized in their treatment plan?
To monitor changes in bone density over time.
To determine the need for joint replacement surgery.
To identify the presence of fractures.
To assess the effectiveness of physical therapy.
9. Describe the significance of a T-score of -2 in relation to bone health.
A T-score of -2 suggests normal bone density and health.
A T-score of -2 indicates that the individual has low bone density,
which may lead to an increased risk of fractures.
A T-score of -2 means the individual has healthy bones.
A T-score of -2 indicates the presence of osteoarthritis.
10. A nursing instructor is teaching a group of nursing students the causes of
spinal nerve impingement. Which statement made by the student indicates
the need for further teaching?
"Herniated discs may cause spinal nerve impingement."
"Compression of the disc may cause spinal nerve impingement."
"Dilation of the intervertebral foramen may cause spinal nerve
impingement."
, "Osteophyte (bone spurring) formation may cause spinal nerve
impingement."
11. Describe the significance of recognizing symptoms like tissue ischemia and
disproportionate pain in a patient with a casted fracture.
Recognizing these symptoms is crucial as they may indicate
compartment syndrome, which requires immediate intervention to
prevent permanent damage.
These symptoms suggest that the fracture is healing properly.
They indicate that the cast is too loose and needs to be adjusted.
These symptoms are common and usually resolve without treatment.
12. Describe the implications of a patient being unable to bear weight for more
than four steps in the context of musculoskeletal disorders.
It suggests a significant injury that may require further evaluation
and possible imaging.
It indicates that the patient is experiencing mild discomfort.
It means the patient should rest without further assessment.
It implies that the patient has a chronic condition.
13. When performing an assessment on the musculoskeletal system, the nurse's
first action would most appropriately be
Check both active and passive ROM of the extremities
Observe the patient's body build and muscle configuration
Feel the joints for the presence of crepitus during movement
Have the patient move the extremities against resistance
REVIEW 2026/2027 | SECTION 2 COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE | HIGH-
YIELD PRACTICE QUESTIONS | VERIFIED ANSWERS|
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM PREP
1. This is the most common form of joint disease and is routinely referred to as
degenerative joint disease.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoporosis
Osteoarthritis
Metabolic bone disorders
2. Describe the role of articular cartilage in joint function and how its
breakdown affects mobility.
Articular cartilage helps in muscle attachment, and its breakdown
leads to muscle weakness.
Articular cartilage provides lubrication and cushioning for joints,
and its breakdown leads to pain and reduced mobility.
Articular cartilage is responsible for bone formation, and its
breakdown causes fractures.
Articular cartilage protects nerves, and its breakdown causes nerve
damage.
3. A 70-year-old patient presents with a wrist fracture after a minor fall.
Considering the patient's age and the fracture location, what condition
should be suspected?
Osteoporosis
Avascular necrosis
Rheumatoid arthritis
, Tendinitis
4. Which hormone is responsible for regulating calcium levels by mobilizing
calcium from the bone, promoting calcium absorption from the intestines,
and promoting calcium reabsorption from the renal tubules?
Thyroid Hormone (TH)
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)
Growth Hormone (GH)
5. What is the primary therapeutic effect of teriparatide in patients with
osteoporosis?
Decreased pain
Increased bone density
Reduced fracture risk
Improved joint mobility
6. You are treating a patient admitted after a motor vehicle accident who
sustained a fracture to the tibia. During the initial exam, the patient's pain is
severe, and an intra-compartmental pressure monitor shows elevated
compartment pressure.Which complication does this patient have?
Infection
Pulmonary embolism
Compartment syndrome
Fat embolism syndrome
7. What diagnostic test is used to measure trabecular bone density in the spine?
, X-ray
DEXA scan
MRI
CT scan
8. If a patient shows signs of osteoporosis, how would a dual energy x-ray
absorptiometry scan be utilized in their treatment plan?
To monitor changes in bone density over time.
To determine the need for joint replacement surgery.
To identify the presence of fractures.
To assess the effectiveness of physical therapy.
9. Describe the significance of a T-score of -2 in relation to bone health.
A T-score of -2 suggests normal bone density and health.
A T-score of -2 indicates that the individual has low bone density,
which may lead to an increased risk of fractures.
A T-score of -2 means the individual has healthy bones.
A T-score of -2 indicates the presence of osteoarthritis.
10. A nursing instructor is teaching a group of nursing students the causes of
spinal nerve impingement. Which statement made by the student indicates
the need for further teaching?
"Herniated discs may cause spinal nerve impingement."
"Compression of the disc may cause spinal nerve impingement."
"Dilation of the intervertebral foramen may cause spinal nerve
impingement."
, "Osteophyte (bone spurring) formation may cause spinal nerve
impingement."
11. Describe the significance of recognizing symptoms like tissue ischemia and
disproportionate pain in a patient with a casted fracture.
Recognizing these symptoms is crucial as they may indicate
compartment syndrome, which requires immediate intervention to
prevent permanent damage.
These symptoms suggest that the fracture is healing properly.
They indicate that the cast is too loose and needs to be adjusted.
These symptoms are common and usually resolve without treatment.
12. Describe the implications of a patient being unable to bear weight for more
than four steps in the context of musculoskeletal disorders.
It suggests a significant injury that may require further evaluation
and possible imaging.
It indicates that the patient is experiencing mild discomfort.
It means the patient should rest without further assessment.
It implies that the patient has a chronic condition.
13. When performing an assessment on the musculoskeletal system, the nurse's
first action would most appropriately be
Check both active and passive ROM of the extremities
Observe the patient's body build and muscle configuration
Feel the joints for the presence of crepitus during movement
Have the patient move the extremities against resistance
