CHAMBERL AIN COLLEGE OF NURSING
School of Nursing · NR 324
NR 324 — Adult Health 1
Academic Year: 2026/2027
Exam 2 Review · Comprehensive Question
Bank
Question 1
A patient is diagnosed with an open (compound) fracture of the tibia. Which of the
following is the priority nursing action?
A. Cover the wound with a sterile dressing
B. Apply a tourniquet above the wound
C. Irrigate the wound with normal saline
D. Reduce the fracture manually
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Cover the wound with a sterile dressing
RATIONALE:
With an open fracture, the priority is to cover the wound with a sterile dressing to minimize
contamination and prevent infection. The wound should not be irrigated in the field,
manual reduction is not performed without proper assessment, and a tourniquet is only
used for life-threatening hemorrhage.
, Question 2
Which of the following best describes a non-displaced fracture?
A. The bone fragments remain in proper alignment despite the break
B. The bone ends are out of alignment and separated
C. The bone is splintered into several fragments
D. The bone is crushed into multiple pieces
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. The bone fragments remain in proper alignment despite the break
RATIONALE:
A non-displaced fracture is one where the bone fragments maintain their anatomical
alignment despite the break. This is important because it often allows for conservative
management with immobilization rather than surgical intervention.
Question 3
A patient with a non-displaced tibial fracture is concerned about the need for
surgery. The nurse explains that surgery is generally not required for non-displaced
fractures because:
A. The bone fragments are already aligned, allowing them to heal naturally
B. Surgery is always required for any fracture
C. Non-displaced fractures heal faster with surgery
D. Surgery is only needed for upper extremity fractures
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. The bone fragments are already aligned, allowing them to heal naturally
RATIONALE:
Non-displaced fractures have bone fragments that are already in proper alignment, which
allows them to heal naturally with immobilization. Surgery is typically reserved for displaced
or unstable fractures where alignment cannot be maintained without surgical intervention.
, Question 4
A patient with a displaced fracture of the humerus is scheduled for surgery. The nurse
understands that the primary reason for surgical intervention in this case is:
A. To realign the bone fragments
B. To reduce pain
C. To prevent infection
D. To shorten recovery time
CORRECT ANSWER: A. To realign the bone fragments
RATIONALE:
The primary reason for surgical intervention in a displaced fracture is to realign the bone
fragments and restore anatomical alignment. This is typically achieved through open
reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), which allows for proper healing and function.
Question 5
Which of the following is a characteristic of a displaced fracture?
A. The bone ends are out of alignment and separated
B. The bone fragments remain in proper alignment
C. The bone is only cracked but not broken through
D. The fracture is caused by a pathological condition
CORRECT ANSWER: A. The bone ends are out of alignment and separated
RATIONALE:
A displaced fracture is characterized by bone ends that are out of alignment and separated
from each other. This misalignment often requires surgical intervention to realign the
fragments and ensure proper healing.
, Question 6
Which type of fracture requires careful monitoring to ensure that the bone fragments
remain in alignment during healing?
A. Non-displaced fracture
B. Displaced fracture
C. Comminuted fracture
D. Pathological fracture
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Non-displaced fracture
RATIONALE:
Non-displaced fractures require careful monitoring to ensure the bone fragments remain in
alignment during healing. While they are initially aligned, displacement can occur if the
patient bears weight prematurely or experiences trauma during the healing process.
Question 7
A patient with osteoporosis presents with a vertebral compression fracture. Which
intervention is most appropriate to relieve pain associated with this type of fracture?
A. Apply a back brace or corset
B. Perform aggressive range-of-motion exercises
C. Apply heat therapy
D. Encourage immediate weight-bearing
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Apply a back brace or corset
RATIONALE:
For vertebral compression fractures, a back brace or corset provides external support, limits
movement, and helps relieve pain by reducing stress on the fractured vertebra. Aggressive
ROM exercises and immediate weight-bearing would worsen the injury.
School of Nursing · NR 324
NR 324 — Adult Health 1
Academic Year: 2026/2027
Exam 2 Review · Comprehensive Question
Bank
Question 1
A patient is diagnosed with an open (compound) fracture of the tibia. Which of the
following is the priority nursing action?
A. Cover the wound with a sterile dressing
B. Apply a tourniquet above the wound
C. Irrigate the wound with normal saline
D. Reduce the fracture manually
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Cover the wound with a sterile dressing
RATIONALE:
With an open fracture, the priority is to cover the wound with a sterile dressing to minimize
contamination and prevent infection. The wound should not be irrigated in the field,
manual reduction is not performed without proper assessment, and a tourniquet is only
used for life-threatening hemorrhage.
, Question 2
Which of the following best describes a non-displaced fracture?
A. The bone fragments remain in proper alignment despite the break
B. The bone ends are out of alignment and separated
C. The bone is splintered into several fragments
D. The bone is crushed into multiple pieces
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. The bone fragments remain in proper alignment despite the break
RATIONALE:
A non-displaced fracture is one where the bone fragments maintain their anatomical
alignment despite the break. This is important because it often allows for conservative
management with immobilization rather than surgical intervention.
Question 3
A patient with a non-displaced tibial fracture is concerned about the need for
surgery. The nurse explains that surgery is generally not required for non-displaced
fractures because:
A. The bone fragments are already aligned, allowing them to heal naturally
B. Surgery is always required for any fracture
C. Non-displaced fractures heal faster with surgery
D. Surgery is only needed for upper extremity fractures
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. The bone fragments are already aligned, allowing them to heal naturally
RATIONALE:
Non-displaced fractures have bone fragments that are already in proper alignment, which
allows them to heal naturally with immobilization. Surgery is typically reserved for displaced
or unstable fractures where alignment cannot be maintained without surgical intervention.
, Question 4
A patient with a displaced fracture of the humerus is scheduled for surgery. The nurse
understands that the primary reason for surgical intervention in this case is:
A. To realign the bone fragments
B. To reduce pain
C. To prevent infection
D. To shorten recovery time
CORRECT ANSWER: A. To realign the bone fragments
RATIONALE:
The primary reason for surgical intervention in a displaced fracture is to realign the bone
fragments and restore anatomical alignment. This is typically achieved through open
reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), which allows for proper healing and function.
Question 5
Which of the following is a characteristic of a displaced fracture?
A. The bone ends are out of alignment and separated
B. The bone fragments remain in proper alignment
C. The bone is only cracked but not broken through
D. The fracture is caused by a pathological condition
CORRECT ANSWER: A. The bone ends are out of alignment and separated
RATIONALE:
A displaced fracture is characterized by bone ends that are out of alignment and separated
from each other. This misalignment often requires surgical intervention to realign the
fragments and ensure proper healing.
, Question 6
Which type of fracture requires careful monitoring to ensure that the bone fragments
remain in alignment during healing?
A. Non-displaced fracture
B. Displaced fracture
C. Comminuted fracture
D. Pathological fracture
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Non-displaced fracture
RATIONALE:
Non-displaced fractures require careful monitoring to ensure the bone fragments remain in
alignment during healing. While they are initially aligned, displacement can occur if the
patient bears weight prematurely or experiences trauma during the healing process.
Question 7
A patient with osteoporosis presents with a vertebral compression fracture. Which
intervention is most appropriate to relieve pain associated with this type of fracture?
A. Apply a back brace or corset
B. Perform aggressive range-of-motion exercises
C. Apply heat therapy
D. Encourage immediate weight-bearing
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Apply a back brace or corset
RATIONALE:
For vertebral compression fractures, a back brace or corset provides external support, limits
movement, and helps relieve pain by reducing stress on the fractured vertebra. Aggressive
ROM exercises and immediate weight-bearing would worsen the injury.
