NSG 301 MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDER EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST
UPDATE 2026
D - Answers The nurse is reinforcing health teaching about osteoporosis with a patient admitted to
the hospital. In reviewing this disorder, what should the nurse explain to the patient?
A. Estrogen therapy must be maintained to prevent rapid progression of the osteoporosis.
B.With a family history of osteoporosis, there is no way to prevent or slow bone resorption.
C. Continuous, low-dose corticosteroid treatment is effective in stopping the course of osteoporosis.
D. Even with a family history of osteoporosis, the calcium loss from bones can be slowed by increased
calcium intake and exercise.
B,D,E - Answers To reduce the incidence of pain for a patient with low back pain, the nurse includes
which interventions? Select all that apply
A. Maintaining the patient on strict bed rest.
B. Applying heat or ice to the area of most pain.
C. Preventing the patient from lifting anything at the bedside.
D. Administering prescribed nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
E. Placing a pillow between the patient's legs and turning the body as a unit.
2 - Answers A patient who underwent spinal surgery reports a severe headache afterward. When
changing the dressing to the incisional area, the nurse finds the drainage to be slightly yellow, and
positive on a dipstick test. What is the best nursing intervention in this situation?
1 Send the drainage sample for culture.
2 Inform the primary health care provider.
3 Administer an analgesic for the headache.
4 Apply a new dressing on the incisional area.
3 - Answers A patient with osteoporosis is treated with analgesics and bisphosphonates. The nurse
teaches the patient about safe administration of the drugs. Which patient action may interfere with
the therapeutic action of the drug?
1. Taking the bisphosphonates with a full glass of water
2. Taking the bisphosphonates 30 minutes before a meal
3. Taking the analgesics and bisphosphonates at the same time
4. Remaining upright for 30 minutes after taking bisphosphonates
1 - Answers The nurse is caring for a patient hospitalized with exacerbation of chronic bronchitis and
herniated lumbar disc. Which breakfast choice would be most appropriate for the nurse to encourage
the patient to check on the breakfast menu to prevent constipation?
1. Bran muffin
2. Scrambled eggs
3. Puffed rice cereal
4.Buttered white toast
1 - Answers During a health screening event, which assessment finding would alert the nurse to the
possible presence of osteoporosis?
1. A measurable loss of height
2. The presence of bowed legs
3. Poor appetite and aversion to dairy products
4. Development of unstable, wide-gait ambulation
1,4,5 - Answers The nurse is caring for a patient following lumbar fusion. What nursing interventions
should the nurse perform for this patient? Select all that apply.
1. Assess extremity circulation.
2. Use a soft mattress for comfort.
3. Place patient in Fowler's position.
4. Monitor peripheral neurologic signs.
5. Report severe headache to the surgeon.
2 - Answers A patient is admitted to the nursing unit with a history of a herniated lumbar disc and
lower-back pain. The nurse would suspect which causative factor of increasing pain?
1. Humid weather
2. Bending forward
3. Frequent position changes
4. Sleeping on a firm mattress
UPDATE 2026
D - Answers The nurse is reinforcing health teaching about osteoporosis with a patient admitted to
the hospital. In reviewing this disorder, what should the nurse explain to the patient?
A. Estrogen therapy must be maintained to prevent rapid progression of the osteoporosis.
B.With a family history of osteoporosis, there is no way to prevent or slow bone resorption.
C. Continuous, low-dose corticosteroid treatment is effective in stopping the course of osteoporosis.
D. Even with a family history of osteoporosis, the calcium loss from bones can be slowed by increased
calcium intake and exercise.
B,D,E - Answers To reduce the incidence of pain for a patient with low back pain, the nurse includes
which interventions? Select all that apply
A. Maintaining the patient on strict bed rest.
B. Applying heat or ice to the area of most pain.
C. Preventing the patient from lifting anything at the bedside.
D. Administering prescribed nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
E. Placing a pillow between the patient's legs and turning the body as a unit.
2 - Answers A patient who underwent spinal surgery reports a severe headache afterward. When
changing the dressing to the incisional area, the nurse finds the drainage to be slightly yellow, and
positive on a dipstick test. What is the best nursing intervention in this situation?
1 Send the drainage sample for culture.
2 Inform the primary health care provider.
3 Administer an analgesic for the headache.
4 Apply a new dressing on the incisional area.
3 - Answers A patient with osteoporosis is treated with analgesics and bisphosphonates. The nurse
teaches the patient about safe administration of the drugs. Which patient action may interfere with
the therapeutic action of the drug?
1. Taking the bisphosphonates with a full glass of water
2. Taking the bisphosphonates 30 minutes before a meal
3. Taking the analgesics and bisphosphonates at the same time
4. Remaining upright for 30 minutes after taking bisphosphonates
1 - Answers The nurse is caring for a patient hospitalized with exacerbation of chronic bronchitis and
herniated lumbar disc. Which breakfast choice would be most appropriate for the nurse to encourage
the patient to check on the breakfast menu to prevent constipation?
1. Bran muffin
2. Scrambled eggs
3. Puffed rice cereal
4.Buttered white toast
1 - Answers During a health screening event, which assessment finding would alert the nurse to the
possible presence of osteoporosis?
1. A measurable loss of height
2. The presence of bowed legs
3. Poor appetite and aversion to dairy products
4. Development of unstable, wide-gait ambulation
1,4,5 - Answers The nurse is caring for a patient following lumbar fusion. What nursing interventions
should the nurse perform for this patient? Select all that apply.
1. Assess extremity circulation.
2. Use a soft mattress for comfort.
3. Place patient in Fowler's position.
4. Monitor peripheral neurologic signs.
5. Report severe headache to the surgeon.
2 - Answers A patient is admitted to the nursing unit with a history of a herniated lumbar disc and
lower-back pain. The nurse would suspect which causative factor of increasing pain?
1. Humid weather
2. Bending forward
3. Frequent position changes
4. Sleeping on a firm mattress
