ONC General Practice Exam Questions
and Answers
To establish the diagnosis of osteoporosis, a patient's primary care provider orders a
DEXA scan (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry). The patient asks the nurse, "How will
the test show if I have osteoporosis?" The nurse's response should be based on
knowledge that which of the following accurately describes this procedure? - ANSWER-
The patient's bone density will be compared to the reference range of healthy young
adults
A patient is newly diagnosed with osteoporosis and risedronate sodium (Actonel®) is
prescribed. The nurse should give which of these instructions about the drug to the
patient? - ANSWER-"After taking Actonel, remain in an upright position for at least 30
minutes."
A patient is suspected of having osteomalacia and is undergoing diagnostic testing. The
patient understands this disease is caused by inadequate intake of vitamin D, but asks
the nurse what other factors may have contributed to development of this condition.
Based on the patient's history, the nurse should identify which of the following as a risk
factor for decreased synthesis of vitamin D? - ANSWER-Having renal disease
The mother of a 50-year-old patient has been diagnosed with osteoporosis. The patient
asks about her own risk for the disease. Based on discussion with the patient about her
history and lifestyle, the nurse should identify which of the following as a risk factor for
osteoporosis? - ANSWER-She smokes one pack of cigarettes per day.
A close friend of the nurse has experienced intermittent swelling and pain in the joints of
the hands, feet, and knees over the past year. The nurse suspects the friend has
rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and encourages evaluation by a healthcare provider. What
other, early symptom should lead the nurse to suspect RA? - ANSWER-Fatigue
After an acute episode of painful swelling of multiple joints accompanied by disabling
morning stiffness, a patient is diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. The nurse should
recognize that blood test results are likely to include which of the following? - ANSWER-
Serum uric acid 7.6 mg/dL
A patient with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis is prescribed diclofenac (Voltaren®)
and methotrexate. The nurse should understand these two medications are prescribed
together primarily to - ANSWER-maximize control of inflammation.
, A patient newly diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis receives a prescription for
etanercept (Enbrel®). Which of the following statements should the nurse include in
patient teaching on this medication? - ANSWER-This medication will be given every
other week but the provider may increase the frequency to weekly after additional
evaluation."
A patient with long-standing RA develops flexion of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP)
joints and hyperextension of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints on the third and
fourth fingers of her right hand. The nurse should recognize these changes as
characteristic of - ANSWER-boutonniere deformities.
A patient who underwent total knee arthroplasty for rheumatoid arthritis is prescribed
rivaroxaban (Xarelto®) for VTE prophylaxis. The patient tells the nurse, "I was
prescribed Coumadin for my last surgery. Why am I receiving a different medication?"
The nurse's response should be based on the knowledge that Xarelto - ANSWER-does
not affect prothrombin time.
A 12-year-old patient experiences an epicondylar fracture in a softball game and a long-
arm cast is applied. If the cast needs to be split after application to allow for tissue
swelling, the nurse will bivalve the cast by splitting it - ANSWER-medially and laterally.
A patient with a hip fracture is placed in 5 pounds of Buck's traction and surgery is
scheduled for the next morning. The nurse should know the Buck's traction is used to -
ANSWER-minimize muscle spasm.
A patient is out of bed and ambulating late on the day of surgery following total knee
arthroplasty. The nurse should recognize that early ambulation - ANSWER-decreases
the risk of clot formation.
Following application of a short-arm cast on a patient with a buckle fracture of the wrist,
the nurse will assess sensation and motion in the patient's digits. The nurse should
recognize numbness and tingling between the thumb and index finger may indicate
compromise of which nerve? - ANSWER-Radial
A patient arrives on the surgical unit following spinal fusion. The nurse should institute
spine precautions that require - ANSWER-logrolling for bed mobility.
A patient is receiving mitoxantrone (Novantrone®) for treatment of an exacerbation of
multiple sclerosis. In administering the drug, the nurse should be aware that -
ANSWER-the patient's urine may turn a blue-green color initially.
A patient is diagnosed with osteoid osteoma. The nurse should be able to confirm this is
a benign tumor that - ANSWER-causes night pain that can be relieved by aspirin.
and Answers
To establish the diagnosis of osteoporosis, a patient's primary care provider orders a
DEXA scan (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry). The patient asks the nurse, "How will
the test show if I have osteoporosis?" The nurse's response should be based on
knowledge that which of the following accurately describes this procedure? - ANSWER-
The patient's bone density will be compared to the reference range of healthy young
adults
A patient is newly diagnosed with osteoporosis and risedronate sodium (Actonel®) is
prescribed. The nurse should give which of these instructions about the drug to the
patient? - ANSWER-"After taking Actonel, remain in an upright position for at least 30
minutes."
A patient is suspected of having osteomalacia and is undergoing diagnostic testing. The
patient understands this disease is caused by inadequate intake of vitamin D, but asks
the nurse what other factors may have contributed to development of this condition.
Based on the patient's history, the nurse should identify which of the following as a risk
factor for decreased synthesis of vitamin D? - ANSWER-Having renal disease
The mother of a 50-year-old patient has been diagnosed with osteoporosis. The patient
asks about her own risk for the disease. Based on discussion with the patient about her
history and lifestyle, the nurse should identify which of the following as a risk factor for
osteoporosis? - ANSWER-She smokes one pack of cigarettes per day.
A close friend of the nurse has experienced intermittent swelling and pain in the joints of
the hands, feet, and knees over the past year. The nurse suspects the friend has
rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and encourages evaluation by a healthcare provider. What
other, early symptom should lead the nurse to suspect RA? - ANSWER-Fatigue
After an acute episode of painful swelling of multiple joints accompanied by disabling
morning stiffness, a patient is diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. The nurse should
recognize that blood test results are likely to include which of the following? - ANSWER-
Serum uric acid 7.6 mg/dL
A patient with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis is prescribed diclofenac (Voltaren®)
and methotrexate. The nurse should understand these two medications are prescribed
together primarily to - ANSWER-maximize control of inflammation.
, A patient newly diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis receives a prescription for
etanercept (Enbrel®). Which of the following statements should the nurse include in
patient teaching on this medication? - ANSWER-This medication will be given every
other week but the provider may increase the frequency to weekly after additional
evaluation."
A patient with long-standing RA develops flexion of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP)
joints and hyperextension of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints on the third and
fourth fingers of her right hand. The nurse should recognize these changes as
characteristic of - ANSWER-boutonniere deformities.
A patient who underwent total knee arthroplasty for rheumatoid arthritis is prescribed
rivaroxaban (Xarelto®) for VTE prophylaxis. The patient tells the nurse, "I was
prescribed Coumadin for my last surgery. Why am I receiving a different medication?"
The nurse's response should be based on the knowledge that Xarelto - ANSWER-does
not affect prothrombin time.
A 12-year-old patient experiences an epicondylar fracture in a softball game and a long-
arm cast is applied. If the cast needs to be split after application to allow for tissue
swelling, the nurse will bivalve the cast by splitting it - ANSWER-medially and laterally.
A patient with a hip fracture is placed in 5 pounds of Buck's traction and surgery is
scheduled for the next morning. The nurse should know the Buck's traction is used to -
ANSWER-minimize muscle spasm.
A patient is out of bed and ambulating late on the day of surgery following total knee
arthroplasty. The nurse should recognize that early ambulation - ANSWER-decreases
the risk of clot formation.
Following application of a short-arm cast on a patient with a buckle fracture of the wrist,
the nurse will assess sensation and motion in the patient's digits. The nurse should
recognize numbness and tingling between the thumb and index finger may indicate
compromise of which nerve? - ANSWER-Radial
A patient arrives on the surgical unit following spinal fusion. The nurse should institute
spine precautions that require - ANSWER-logrolling for bed mobility.
A patient is receiving mitoxantrone (Novantrone®) for treatment of an exacerbation of
multiple sclerosis. In administering the drug, the nurse should be aware that -
ANSWER-the patient's urine may turn a blue-green color initially.
A patient is diagnosed with osteoid osteoma. The nurse should be able to confirm this is
a benign tumor that - ANSWER-causes night pain that can be relieved by aspirin.
