Chapter 51 Care of patients with Musculoskeletal Trauma
NCLEX review questions and answers latest update 2025
1.ID: 4615491966
Which nursing action does the nurse on the orthopedic unit plan to delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel
(UAP)?
A. Remove the wound drain for a client who had an open reduction of a hip fracture 3 days ago.
B. Assess for bruising on a client who is receiving warfarin (Coumadin) to prevent deep vein thrombosis.
C. Teach a client with a right ankle fracture how to use crutches when transferring and ambulating.
D. Check the vital signs for a client who was admitted after a total knee replacement 3 hours ago. - ansD. Check
the vital signs for a client who was admitted after a total knee replacement 3 hours ago. Correct
Vital sign assessment is a skill that is within the role of the UAP. Removing a wound drain, assessment, and
client teaching are nursing actions that require broader education and are within the scope of practice of
licensed nursing staff.
2.ID: 4615491959
The nurse refers a client with an amputation and the client's family to which community resource?
A. American Amputee Society (AAS)
B. Amputee Coalition of America (ACA)
C. Community Workers for Amputees (CWA)
D. National Amputee of America Society (NAAS) - ansB. Amputee Coalition of America (ACA)
The ACA is an available resource for clients with amputations and supports them and their families. The AAS,
CWA, and NAAS do not exist.
A client has a grade III compound fracture of the right tibia. To prevent infection, which intervention does the
nurse implement?
, A. Apply bacitracin (Neosporin) ointment to the site daily with a sterile cotton swab.
B. Use strict aseptic technique when cleaning the site.
C. Leave the site open to the air to keep it dry.
D. Assist the client to shower daily and pat the wound site dry. - ansB. Use strict aseptic technique when
cleaning the site.
Using aseptic technique is the best way to prevent infection. Chlorhexidine (Hibiclens), 2 mg/mL solution, is the
better cleansing solution for pin site care, not Neosporin ointment. A wound of this type should be kept
covered, not left open to the air. The wound site of a compound fracture must not be exposed to a shower; this
practice violates maintaining aseptic technique.
A client has sustained a fracture of the left tibia. The extremity is immobilized using an external fixation device.
Which postoperative instruction does the nurse include in this client's teaching plan?
A "Use pain medication as prescribed to control pain."
B "Clean the pin site when any drainage is noticed."
C "Wear the same clothing that is normally worn."
D "Apply bacitracin (Neosporin) if signs or symptoms of infection develop around pin sites." - ansA "Use pain
medication as prescribed to control pain."
The client should be taught the correct use of prescribed pain medication to control pain adequately. Pin sites
must be cleaned at least every 8 hours and as needed to reduce the risk for infection, not when any drainage is
noticed. The client will have to adjust the type of clothing worn while the fixation device is in place. If signs and
symptoms of infection develop around the pin sites, the client must notify the health care provider
immediately. Infection at the pin sites places the client at risk for osteomyelitis.
A client has sustained a rotator cuff tear while playing baseball. The nurse anticipates that the client will
receive which immediate conservative treatment?
A Surgical repair of the rotator cuff
NCLEX review questions and answers latest update 2025
1.ID: 4615491966
Which nursing action does the nurse on the orthopedic unit plan to delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel
(UAP)?
A. Remove the wound drain for a client who had an open reduction of a hip fracture 3 days ago.
B. Assess for bruising on a client who is receiving warfarin (Coumadin) to prevent deep vein thrombosis.
C. Teach a client with a right ankle fracture how to use crutches when transferring and ambulating.
D. Check the vital signs for a client who was admitted after a total knee replacement 3 hours ago. - ansD. Check
the vital signs for a client who was admitted after a total knee replacement 3 hours ago. Correct
Vital sign assessment is a skill that is within the role of the UAP. Removing a wound drain, assessment, and
client teaching are nursing actions that require broader education and are within the scope of practice of
licensed nursing staff.
2.ID: 4615491959
The nurse refers a client with an amputation and the client's family to which community resource?
A. American Amputee Society (AAS)
B. Amputee Coalition of America (ACA)
C. Community Workers for Amputees (CWA)
D. National Amputee of America Society (NAAS) - ansB. Amputee Coalition of America (ACA)
The ACA is an available resource for clients with amputations and supports them and their families. The AAS,
CWA, and NAAS do not exist.
A client has a grade III compound fracture of the right tibia. To prevent infection, which intervention does the
nurse implement?
, A. Apply bacitracin (Neosporin) ointment to the site daily with a sterile cotton swab.
B. Use strict aseptic technique when cleaning the site.
C. Leave the site open to the air to keep it dry.
D. Assist the client to shower daily and pat the wound site dry. - ansB. Use strict aseptic technique when
cleaning the site.
Using aseptic technique is the best way to prevent infection. Chlorhexidine (Hibiclens), 2 mg/mL solution, is the
better cleansing solution for pin site care, not Neosporin ointment. A wound of this type should be kept
covered, not left open to the air. The wound site of a compound fracture must not be exposed to a shower; this
practice violates maintaining aseptic technique.
A client has sustained a fracture of the left tibia. The extremity is immobilized using an external fixation device.
Which postoperative instruction does the nurse include in this client's teaching plan?
A "Use pain medication as prescribed to control pain."
B "Clean the pin site when any drainage is noticed."
C "Wear the same clothing that is normally worn."
D "Apply bacitracin (Neosporin) if signs or symptoms of infection develop around pin sites." - ansA "Use pain
medication as prescribed to control pain."
The client should be taught the correct use of prescribed pain medication to control pain adequately. Pin sites
must be cleaned at least every 8 hours and as needed to reduce the risk for infection, not when any drainage is
noticed. The client will have to adjust the type of clothing worn while the fixation device is in place. If signs and
symptoms of infection develop around the pin sites, the client must notify the health care provider
immediately. Infection at the pin sites places the client at risk for osteomyelitis.
A client has sustained a rotator cuff tear while playing baseball. The nurse anticipates that the client will
receive which immediate conservative treatment?
A Surgical repair of the rotator cuff
