NCLEX MUSCULOSKELETAL
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100% PASS
How should a nurse assess for the presence of a dislocated joint?
✔✔Assess for symptoms such as severe pain, deformity, limited movement, and swelling around
the joint.
What is a common complication of a fracture that affects blood flow to the extremity?
✔✔Compartment syndrome is a common complication that can impair blood flow and lead to
tissue damage.
What is the recommended intervention for a patient experiencing muscle spasms following a
fracture?
✔✔The recommended intervention is to provide muscle relaxants and apply heat to the affected
area to relieve spasms.
How can a nurse help prevent contractures in a patient who has undergone limb amputation?
✔✔Prevent contractures by performing regular range-of-motion exercises and maintaining
proper positioning of the residual limb.
1
,What are the typical signs of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in a patient with a lower extremity
fracture?
✔✔Typical signs of DVT include swelling, redness, warmth, and pain in the affected leg.
What role does physical therapy play in the rehabilitation of a patient with a musculoskeletal
injury?
✔✔Physical therapy helps restore movement, strength, and function, and supports the recovery
of the injured area.
How should a nurse address a patient’s concerns about adjusting to life with a prosthetic limb?
✔✔Address concerns by providing emotional support, educating the patient about the prosthesis,
and facilitating training on its use and care.
What is a common symptom of osteomyelitis in a patient with an open fracture?
✔✔Common symptoms include fever, localized pain, redness, and swelling at the fracture site.
How should a nurse manage a patient with a fresh fracture to reduce the risk of infection?
✔✔Manage by ensuring proper wound care, maintaining sterile techniques, and monitoring for
signs of infection at the fracture site.
2
,What is the primary purpose of using a splint in the management of a suspected fracture?
✔✔The primary purpose is to immobilize the fracture and prevent further movement, which
reduces the risk of additional injury and aids in proper healing.
How should a nurse assess for neurovascular compromise in a patient with a fractured limb?
✔✔Assess by checking the patient's sensation, movement, pulse, and skin color and temperature
distal to the fracture site.
What is a common sign of an infected surgical wound following an amputation?
✔✔Common signs include increased redness, swelling, warmth, and discharge from the wound,
along with systemic symptoms like fever.
What is the recommended position for a patient with a below-knee amputation to help prevent
contractures?
✔✔The recommended position is to keep the residual limb in a neutral or extended position
rather than flexed, to help prevent contractures.
3
, How should a nurse address the issue of phantom pain in a patient who has recently undergone
an amputation?
✔✔Address phantom pain by using pain management techniques such as medications, nerve
blocks, and psychological support, and providing education on the nature of phantom pain.
What is the main goal of a rehabilitation program for a patient recovering from a severe
musculoskeletal injury?
✔✔The main goal is to restore function, strength, and mobility to the injured area and to help the
patient return to their daily activities.
What are the common indications for surgical intervention in a patient with a fracture?
✔✔Indications include unstable fractures that cannot be managed with conservative treatment,
open fractures, and fractures that are not healing properly.
How should a nurse manage a patient with a cast to prevent complications such as pressure
sores?
✔✔Manage by regularly checking the cast for tightness, ensuring the patient’s skin is dry and
clean, and advising the patient to report any discomfort or unusual symptoms.
4
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100% PASS
How should a nurse assess for the presence of a dislocated joint?
✔✔Assess for symptoms such as severe pain, deformity, limited movement, and swelling around
the joint.
What is a common complication of a fracture that affects blood flow to the extremity?
✔✔Compartment syndrome is a common complication that can impair blood flow and lead to
tissue damage.
What is the recommended intervention for a patient experiencing muscle spasms following a
fracture?
✔✔The recommended intervention is to provide muscle relaxants and apply heat to the affected
area to relieve spasms.
How can a nurse help prevent contractures in a patient who has undergone limb amputation?
✔✔Prevent contractures by performing regular range-of-motion exercises and maintaining
proper positioning of the residual limb.
1
,What are the typical signs of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in a patient with a lower extremity
fracture?
✔✔Typical signs of DVT include swelling, redness, warmth, and pain in the affected leg.
What role does physical therapy play in the rehabilitation of a patient with a musculoskeletal
injury?
✔✔Physical therapy helps restore movement, strength, and function, and supports the recovery
of the injured area.
How should a nurse address a patient’s concerns about adjusting to life with a prosthetic limb?
✔✔Address concerns by providing emotional support, educating the patient about the prosthesis,
and facilitating training on its use and care.
What is a common symptom of osteomyelitis in a patient with an open fracture?
✔✔Common symptoms include fever, localized pain, redness, and swelling at the fracture site.
How should a nurse manage a patient with a fresh fracture to reduce the risk of infection?
✔✔Manage by ensuring proper wound care, maintaining sterile techniques, and monitoring for
signs of infection at the fracture site.
2
,What is the primary purpose of using a splint in the management of a suspected fracture?
✔✔The primary purpose is to immobilize the fracture and prevent further movement, which
reduces the risk of additional injury and aids in proper healing.
How should a nurse assess for neurovascular compromise in a patient with a fractured limb?
✔✔Assess by checking the patient's sensation, movement, pulse, and skin color and temperature
distal to the fracture site.
What is a common sign of an infected surgical wound following an amputation?
✔✔Common signs include increased redness, swelling, warmth, and discharge from the wound,
along with systemic symptoms like fever.
What is the recommended position for a patient with a below-knee amputation to help prevent
contractures?
✔✔The recommended position is to keep the residual limb in a neutral or extended position
rather than flexed, to help prevent contractures.
3
, How should a nurse address the issue of phantom pain in a patient who has recently undergone
an amputation?
✔✔Address phantom pain by using pain management techniques such as medications, nerve
blocks, and psychological support, and providing education on the nature of phantom pain.
What is the main goal of a rehabilitation program for a patient recovering from a severe
musculoskeletal injury?
✔✔The main goal is to restore function, strength, and mobility to the injured area and to help the
patient return to their daily activities.
What are the common indications for surgical intervention in a patient with a fracture?
✔✔Indications include unstable fractures that cannot be managed with conservative treatment,
open fractures, and fractures that are not healing properly.
How should a nurse manage a patient with a cast to prevent complications such as pressure
sores?
✔✔Manage by regularly checking the cast for tightness, ensuring the patient’s skin is dry and
clean, and advising the patient to report any discomfort or unusual symptoms.
4
