ATI MUSCULOSKELETAL EXAM 2025
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A nurse is preparing to administer auranofin (Ridaura) for a client who has rheumatoid arthritis.
Thenurse should monitor the client for which of the following adverse effects of this
medication? (Select all that apply.)
A. Insomnia
B. Stomatitis
C. Visual changes
D. Bruising
E. Pruritus - ANS B Stomatitis
D Bruising
E Pruritus
A nurse is evaluating teaching for a client who has rheumatoid arthritis and is beginning a
prescriptionfor methotrexate (Rheumatrex). Which of the following statements by the client
indicates understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will be sure to return to the clinic at least once a year to have my blood drawn while I'm
taking methotrexate."
B. "I will take this medication on an empty stomach."
C. "I'll let the doctor know if I develop sores in my mouth while taking this medication."
D. "I should stop taking oral contraceptives while I'm taking methotrexate." - ANS "I'll let the
doctor know if I develop sores in my mouth while taking this medication." (C)
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A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is taking raloxifene (Evista) to prevent
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postmenopausal
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, osteoporosis. The nurse should advise the client that which of the following are adverse effects
of this
medication? (Select all that apply.)
A. Hot flashes
B. Lump in breast
C. Swelling or redness in calf
D. Shortness of breath
E. Difficulty swallowing - ANS A, C, D. (Hot flashes, calf redness/swelling, SOB.)
A client who has osteoporosis has a new prescription for alendronate (Fosamax). Which of the
following
instructions should the nurse provide for the client? (Select all that apply.)
A. Take medication in the morning before eating.
B. Chew tablets to increase bioavailability.
C. Drink a full glass of water with each tablet.
D. Take Fosamax with an antacid if heartburn occurs.
E. Avoid lying down after taking this medication. - ANS A, C, E. (Meds before eating, glass of
water, avoid lying down.)
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for calcitonin-salmon for osteoporosis.
Which of the following tests should the nurse tell the client to expect before beginning this
medication?
A. Skin test for allergy to the medication
B. ECG to rule out cardiac dysrhythmias
C. Mantoux test to rule out exposure to tuberculosis
D. Liver function tests to assess risk for medication toxicity - ANS
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, A nurse is caring for a young adult client whose serum calcium is 8.8 mg/dL. Which of the
following medications should the nurse anticipate administering to this client?
A. Calcitonin-salmon (Miacalcin)
B. Calcium carbonate (Tums)
C. Zoledronic (Reclast)
D. Ibandronate (Boniva) - ANS B. Calcium carbonate (Tums)
A nurse is providing instruction to a client who has a new prescription for calcitonin-salmon
(Miacalcin) for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Which of the following should the nurse teach
the client regarding self-administration of this medication?
A. Swallow tablets on an empty stomach with plenty of water.
B. Watch for skin rash and redness when applying calcitonin-salmon topically.
C. Mix the liquid medication with juice and take it after meals.
D. Alternate nostrils each time calcitonin-salmon is inhaled. - ANS D. (Alternate nostrils each
time calcitonin-salmon is inhaled.)
An obese client with degenerative joint disease is being managed with aspirin therapy. The
nurse determines that additional teaching is needed when which client statement is made?
a "I use heat sometimes to help reduce my pain and stiffness."
b "I frequently examine my stools for bleeding."
c "I take my aspirin when I have extreme pain or stiffness."
d "I started an exercise program to lose weight." - ANS ANSWER C
Rationale: Aspirin therapy is continuous and is effective only if therapeutic blood levels are
reached. It is not taken intermittently. The other statements are appropriate self-care measures
when taking aspirin for osteoarthritis.
Non-pharmacological pain management for a client with osteoarthritis include: (Select all that
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apply.)
@COPYRIGHT FYNDLAY 2025/2026
, a X-rays
b Moderate activity plan
c NSAIDs
d Application of moist heat
e Ice pack to the most painful area - ANS ANSWER B AND D
Rationale: Heat, not ice, can be applied to the area, and moist heat is most effective at reducing
pain and inflammation. A common approach to physical therapy includes paraffin wax
treatments, where the client inserts the painful joint into warm liquid paraffin, which holds in
the heat for an extended period of time and can be very comforting. Joints tend to stiffen and
become more painful during periods of inactivity, so a moderate activity plan can help to
prevent this. NSAIDs may be administered, but this is pharmacological treatment, not non-
pharmacological treatment. X-rays may be performed for diagnosis, but do not treat the pain.
The nurse collects data from a client with suspected osteoarthritis and confirms which
manifestations of osteoarthritis?
a Elevated sedimentation rate
b Dull, aching pain in the joints
c Elevated white blood cell count
d Positive rheumatoid factor - ANS ANSWER B
The nurse is teaching a client about osteoarthritis and the risk factors for developing the
disease. The nurse includes what information about primary osteoarthritis risks?
a Age
b Trauma
c Endocrine disorders
d Joint instability - ANS ANSWER A
Rationale: Age is a risk factor for developing primary osteoarthritis. Trauma, endocrine
disorders, and joint instability are risks for developing secondary osteoarthritis
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@COPYRIGHT FYNDLAY 2025/2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A nurse is preparing to administer auranofin (Ridaura) for a client who has rheumatoid arthritis.
Thenurse should monitor the client for which of the following adverse effects of this
medication? (Select all that apply.)
A. Insomnia
B. Stomatitis
C. Visual changes
D. Bruising
E. Pruritus - ANS B Stomatitis
D Bruising
E Pruritus
A nurse is evaluating teaching for a client who has rheumatoid arthritis and is beginning a
prescriptionfor methotrexate (Rheumatrex). Which of the following statements by the client
indicates understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will be sure to return to the clinic at least once a year to have my blood drawn while I'm
taking methotrexate."
B. "I will take this medication on an empty stomach."
C. "I'll let the doctor know if I develop sores in my mouth while taking this medication."
D. "I should stop taking oral contraceptives while I'm taking methotrexate." - ANS "I'll let the
doctor know if I develop sores in my mouth while taking this medication." (C)
1
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is taking raloxifene (Evista) to prevent
Page
postmenopausal
@COPYRIGHT FYNDLAY 2025/2026
, osteoporosis. The nurse should advise the client that which of the following are adverse effects
of this
medication? (Select all that apply.)
A. Hot flashes
B. Lump in breast
C. Swelling or redness in calf
D. Shortness of breath
E. Difficulty swallowing - ANS A, C, D. (Hot flashes, calf redness/swelling, SOB.)
A client who has osteoporosis has a new prescription for alendronate (Fosamax). Which of the
following
instructions should the nurse provide for the client? (Select all that apply.)
A. Take medication in the morning before eating.
B. Chew tablets to increase bioavailability.
C. Drink a full glass of water with each tablet.
D. Take Fosamax with an antacid if heartburn occurs.
E. Avoid lying down after taking this medication. - ANS A, C, E. (Meds before eating, glass of
water, avoid lying down.)
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for calcitonin-salmon for osteoporosis.
Which of the following tests should the nurse tell the client to expect before beginning this
medication?
A. Skin test for allergy to the medication
B. ECG to rule out cardiac dysrhythmias
C. Mantoux test to rule out exposure to tuberculosis
D. Liver function tests to assess risk for medication toxicity - ANS
2
Page
@COPYRIGHT FYNDLAY 2025/2026
, A nurse is caring for a young adult client whose serum calcium is 8.8 mg/dL. Which of the
following medications should the nurse anticipate administering to this client?
A. Calcitonin-salmon (Miacalcin)
B. Calcium carbonate (Tums)
C. Zoledronic (Reclast)
D. Ibandronate (Boniva) - ANS B. Calcium carbonate (Tums)
A nurse is providing instruction to a client who has a new prescription for calcitonin-salmon
(Miacalcin) for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Which of the following should the nurse teach
the client regarding self-administration of this medication?
A. Swallow tablets on an empty stomach with plenty of water.
B. Watch for skin rash and redness when applying calcitonin-salmon topically.
C. Mix the liquid medication with juice and take it after meals.
D. Alternate nostrils each time calcitonin-salmon is inhaled. - ANS D. (Alternate nostrils each
time calcitonin-salmon is inhaled.)
An obese client with degenerative joint disease is being managed with aspirin therapy. The
nurse determines that additional teaching is needed when which client statement is made?
a "I use heat sometimes to help reduce my pain and stiffness."
b "I frequently examine my stools for bleeding."
c "I take my aspirin when I have extreme pain or stiffness."
d "I started an exercise program to lose weight." - ANS ANSWER C
Rationale: Aspirin therapy is continuous and is effective only if therapeutic blood levels are
reached. It is not taken intermittently. The other statements are appropriate self-care measures
when taking aspirin for osteoarthritis.
Non-pharmacological pain management for a client with osteoarthritis include: (Select all that
3
Page
apply.)
@COPYRIGHT FYNDLAY 2025/2026
, a X-rays
b Moderate activity plan
c NSAIDs
d Application of moist heat
e Ice pack to the most painful area - ANS ANSWER B AND D
Rationale: Heat, not ice, can be applied to the area, and moist heat is most effective at reducing
pain and inflammation. A common approach to physical therapy includes paraffin wax
treatments, where the client inserts the painful joint into warm liquid paraffin, which holds in
the heat for an extended period of time and can be very comforting. Joints tend to stiffen and
become more painful during periods of inactivity, so a moderate activity plan can help to
prevent this. NSAIDs may be administered, but this is pharmacological treatment, not non-
pharmacological treatment. X-rays may be performed for diagnosis, but do not treat the pain.
The nurse collects data from a client with suspected osteoarthritis and confirms which
manifestations of osteoarthritis?
a Elevated sedimentation rate
b Dull, aching pain in the joints
c Elevated white blood cell count
d Positive rheumatoid factor - ANS ANSWER B
The nurse is teaching a client about osteoarthritis and the risk factors for developing the
disease. The nurse includes what information about primary osteoarthritis risks?
a Age
b Trauma
c Endocrine disorders
d Joint instability - ANS ANSWER A
Rationale: Age is a risk factor for developing primary osteoarthritis. Trauma, endocrine
disorders, and joint instability are risks for developing secondary osteoarthritis
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@COPYRIGHT FYNDLAY 2025/2026
