©Jason MacConnell 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
MSK Exam Questions With Correct Answers
A+
The occupational health nurse is teaching a class on the risk factors for developing
osteoarthritisoa (OA). Which is a modifiable risk factor for developing OA?
1. Being overweight.
2. Increasing age.
3. Previous joint damage.
4. Genetic susceptibility. - Answer✔1
The client is diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Which sign/symptom would the nurse expect the
client to exhibit?
1. Severe bone deformity.
2. Joint stiffness.
3. Waddling gait.
4. Swan neck fingers - Answer✔2
The client diagnosed with OA is a resident in a long-term care facility. The resident is refusing to
bathe because she is hurting. Which instruction should the nurse give the unlicensed nursing
assistant?
1. Allow the client to stay in bed until the pain becomes bearable.
2. Tell the assistant to give the client a bed bath this morning.
3. Try to encourage the client to get up and go to the shower.
4. Notify the family that the client is refusing to be bathed. - Answer✔3
1
, ©Jason MacConnell 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The client has been diagnosed with OA for the last seven (7) years and has tried multiple medical
treatments and alternative treatments but still has significant joint pain. Which psychosocial
client problem would the nurse identify?
1. Severe pain.
2. Body-image disturbance.
3. Knowledge deficit
4. Depression. - Answer✔4
The client diagnosed with OA is prescribed a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
Which instruction should the nurse teach the client?
1. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
2. Make sure the client tapers the medication when discontinuing.
3. Apply the medication topically over the affected joints.
4. Notify the health-care provider if vomiting blood. - Answer✔4
Which client goal would be most appropriate for a client diagnosed with OA?
1. Perform passive range-of-motion exercises.
2. Maintain optimal functional ability.
3. Client will walk three (3) miles every day.
4. Client will join a health club. - Answer✔2
19. Which member of the health-care team should the nurse refer the client diagnosed with OA
who is complaining of not being able to get in and out of the bathtub?
1. Physiatrist.
2. Social worker.
3. Physical therapist.
4. Counselor. - Answer✔3
The nurse is discussing the importance of an exercise program for pain control to a client
diagnosed with OA. Which intervention should the nurse include in the teaching?
2
, ©Jason MacConnell 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
1. Wear supportive tennis shoes with white socks when walking.
2. Carry a complex carbohydrate while exercising.
3. Alternate walking briskly and jogging when exercising.
4. Walk at least 30 minutes three (3) times a week. - Answer✔1
The nurse is admitting the client with OA to the medical floor. Which statement by the client
indicates an alternative form of treatment for OA?
1. "I take medication every two (2) hours for my pain."
2. "I use a heating pad when I go to bed at night."
3. "I wear a copper bracelet to help with my OA."
4. "I always wear my ankle splints when I sleep." - Answer✔3
The client is complaining of joint stiffness, especially in the morning. Which diagnostic tests
would the nurse expect the health-care provider to order to R/O osteoarthritis?
1. Full body magnetic resonance imaging scan.
2. Serum studies for synovial fluid amount.
3. X-ray of the affected joints.
4. Serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). - Answer✔3
The nurse is discussing osteoporosis with a group of women. Which factor will the nurse identify
as a nonmodifiable risk factor?
1. Calcium deficiency.
2. Tobacco use.
3. Female gender.
4. High alcohol intake. - Answer✔3
The client diagnosed with osteoporosis asks the nurse, "Why does smoking cigarettes cause my
bones to be brittle?" Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?
1. "Smoking causes nutritional deficiencies that contribute to osteoporosis."
3
MSK Exam Questions With Correct Answers
A+
The occupational health nurse is teaching a class on the risk factors for developing
osteoarthritisoa (OA). Which is a modifiable risk factor for developing OA?
1. Being overweight.
2. Increasing age.
3. Previous joint damage.
4. Genetic susceptibility. - Answer✔1
The client is diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Which sign/symptom would the nurse expect the
client to exhibit?
1. Severe bone deformity.
2. Joint stiffness.
3. Waddling gait.
4. Swan neck fingers - Answer✔2
The client diagnosed with OA is a resident in a long-term care facility. The resident is refusing to
bathe because she is hurting. Which instruction should the nurse give the unlicensed nursing
assistant?
1. Allow the client to stay in bed until the pain becomes bearable.
2. Tell the assistant to give the client a bed bath this morning.
3. Try to encourage the client to get up and go to the shower.
4. Notify the family that the client is refusing to be bathed. - Answer✔3
1
, ©Jason MacConnell 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The client has been diagnosed with OA for the last seven (7) years and has tried multiple medical
treatments and alternative treatments but still has significant joint pain. Which psychosocial
client problem would the nurse identify?
1. Severe pain.
2. Body-image disturbance.
3. Knowledge deficit
4. Depression. - Answer✔4
The client diagnosed with OA is prescribed a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
Which instruction should the nurse teach the client?
1. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
2. Make sure the client tapers the medication when discontinuing.
3. Apply the medication topically over the affected joints.
4. Notify the health-care provider if vomiting blood. - Answer✔4
Which client goal would be most appropriate for a client diagnosed with OA?
1. Perform passive range-of-motion exercises.
2. Maintain optimal functional ability.
3. Client will walk three (3) miles every day.
4. Client will join a health club. - Answer✔2
19. Which member of the health-care team should the nurse refer the client diagnosed with OA
who is complaining of not being able to get in and out of the bathtub?
1. Physiatrist.
2. Social worker.
3. Physical therapist.
4. Counselor. - Answer✔3
The nurse is discussing the importance of an exercise program for pain control to a client
diagnosed with OA. Which intervention should the nurse include in the teaching?
2
, ©Jason MacConnell 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
1. Wear supportive tennis shoes with white socks when walking.
2. Carry a complex carbohydrate while exercising.
3. Alternate walking briskly and jogging when exercising.
4. Walk at least 30 minutes three (3) times a week. - Answer✔1
The nurse is admitting the client with OA to the medical floor. Which statement by the client
indicates an alternative form of treatment for OA?
1. "I take medication every two (2) hours for my pain."
2. "I use a heating pad when I go to bed at night."
3. "I wear a copper bracelet to help with my OA."
4. "I always wear my ankle splints when I sleep." - Answer✔3
The client is complaining of joint stiffness, especially in the morning. Which diagnostic tests
would the nurse expect the health-care provider to order to R/O osteoarthritis?
1. Full body magnetic resonance imaging scan.
2. Serum studies for synovial fluid amount.
3. X-ray of the affected joints.
4. Serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). - Answer✔3
The nurse is discussing osteoporosis with a group of women. Which factor will the nurse identify
as a nonmodifiable risk factor?
1. Calcium deficiency.
2. Tobacco use.
3. Female gender.
4. High alcohol intake. - Answer✔3
The client diagnosed with osteoporosis asks the nurse, "Why does smoking cigarettes cause my
bones to be brittle?" Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?
1. "Smoking causes nutritional deficiencies that contribute to osteoporosis."
3
