NUR 301 EXAM #2 PRACTICE QUESTIONS 2026/2027 – STUDY GUIDE &
EXAM REVIEW
A 34 year old female is admitted to your Med surge unit post-op from an open-reduction internal fixation
(ORIF) of her right radius. The patient received a cast in the operating room, and presents with the
following vitals: HR 95, 110/65, 96% on RA, RR 20, and a temperature of 99.8. You understand that Post
op care of a patient with a cast includes the following: (Select all that apply)
A) The edges of the cast are petaled to avoid a compromise in skin integrity.
B) The middle third of the forearm is a major area of pressure, which requires the performance of
Neurovascular checks of the affected extremity.
C) Neurovascular checks should be performed every hour for the first 24 hours.
D) The extremity should be iced for the first 24 to 36 hours.
E) There should be no space between the cast and extremity to prevent the insertion of sharp devices
like hangers. - ANS ✔✔A, C, and D
B is incorrect because the major areas of pressure in the upper extremity are at the elbow and wrist, not
in the middle third
E is incorrect because you should be able to insert 1-2 fingers between the cast and the affected
extremity.
Page 7-8 Musculoskeletal VO I
A 22 year old patient is being discharged after a proximal tibial fracture related to a motor vehicle
accident. The patient is being discharged with a cast and crutches provided by the hospital. The patient is
being discharged with the orders of "NWB until follow up appointment in one week." Which of the
following indicate that discharge teaching about crutches was successful? (Select all that apply)
A) "When going up stairs, I know that I should go up first with my good leg, followed by my bad leg and
crutches simultaneously."
B) "Going down stairs will be tricky, but as long as I go down with my good leg first, followed by the
crutches and bad leg, I should be fine."
C) "When I'm standing, I can rest my armpits on the crutches to give my arms a rest."
D) "I'll spend most of my time getting around using the 3-point gait, and I can use a 2-point gate at home
since it is a familiar environment to me."
E) "If I n - ANS ✔✔A and E
, "Up with the good, Down with the bad"
Going up stairs with crutches should begin with the unaffected leg first, followed by the broken leg and
crutches. Going down stairs should begin by lowering the affected leg and crutches followed by the
unaffected leg.
E is correct because worn/cracked crutch tips are prone to slipping and need to be replaced
C is incorrect because it is possible to cause nerve damage by supporting your body weight on your
armpits (or axillary area).
D is incorrect because the patient has orders for Non-weight bearing (NWB) until his follow-up visit in a
week. A 2-point gait requires the use of 2-weight bearing lower extremities.
Found in Musculoskeletal VO I
In report the night shift nurse informs you that one of your patient's is in Russell's traction. Based on this
information you know which of the following to be true? (select all that apply)
A) Offers counter-traction to the affected extremity
B) This is a form of Skeletal Traction
C) This is a form of Skin Traction
D) This form of traction promotes extension of the knee joint.
E) This traction provides a straight pull of the extremity, which can cause the patient to constantly slide
down in bed. - ANS ✔✔A and C
B is incorrect because Russell's traction is a form of skin traction
D is incorrect because Russell's traction promotes *flexion* of the knee joint
E is incorrect because this is describing Buck's traction.
Page 10 Musculoskeletal VO I
You receive a patient post-op from a microdiskectomy. You understand that neurovascular assessments
for this patient are going to take priority. You are to perform Neurovascular checks of the lower
extremities every hour until the end of the shift.. You understand that the vascular component of a
neurovascular assessment includes the following: (Select all that apply)
A) Color of the extremities
B) Pain
C) Motor function
EXAM REVIEW
A 34 year old female is admitted to your Med surge unit post-op from an open-reduction internal fixation
(ORIF) of her right radius. The patient received a cast in the operating room, and presents with the
following vitals: HR 95, 110/65, 96% on RA, RR 20, and a temperature of 99.8. You understand that Post
op care of a patient with a cast includes the following: (Select all that apply)
A) The edges of the cast are petaled to avoid a compromise in skin integrity.
B) The middle third of the forearm is a major area of pressure, which requires the performance of
Neurovascular checks of the affected extremity.
C) Neurovascular checks should be performed every hour for the first 24 hours.
D) The extremity should be iced for the first 24 to 36 hours.
E) There should be no space between the cast and extremity to prevent the insertion of sharp devices
like hangers. - ANS ✔✔A, C, and D
B is incorrect because the major areas of pressure in the upper extremity are at the elbow and wrist, not
in the middle third
E is incorrect because you should be able to insert 1-2 fingers between the cast and the affected
extremity.
Page 7-8 Musculoskeletal VO I
A 22 year old patient is being discharged after a proximal tibial fracture related to a motor vehicle
accident. The patient is being discharged with a cast and crutches provided by the hospital. The patient is
being discharged with the orders of "NWB until follow up appointment in one week." Which of the
following indicate that discharge teaching about crutches was successful? (Select all that apply)
A) "When going up stairs, I know that I should go up first with my good leg, followed by my bad leg and
crutches simultaneously."
B) "Going down stairs will be tricky, but as long as I go down with my good leg first, followed by the
crutches and bad leg, I should be fine."
C) "When I'm standing, I can rest my armpits on the crutches to give my arms a rest."
D) "I'll spend most of my time getting around using the 3-point gait, and I can use a 2-point gate at home
since it is a familiar environment to me."
E) "If I n - ANS ✔✔A and E
, "Up with the good, Down with the bad"
Going up stairs with crutches should begin with the unaffected leg first, followed by the broken leg and
crutches. Going down stairs should begin by lowering the affected leg and crutches followed by the
unaffected leg.
E is correct because worn/cracked crutch tips are prone to slipping and need to be replaced
C is incorrect because it is possible to cause nerve damage by supporting your body weight on your
armpits (or axillary area).
D is incorrect because the patient has orders for Non-weight bearing (NWB) until his follow-up visit in a
week. A 2-point gait requires the use of 2-weight bearing lower extremities.
Found in Musculoskeletal VO I
In report the night shift nurse informs you that one of your patient's is in Russell's traction. Based on this
information you know which of the following to be true? (select all that apply)
A) Offers counter-traction to the affected extremity
B) This is a form of Skeletal Traction
C) This is a form of Skin Traction
D) This form of traction promotes extension of the knee joint.
E) This traction provides a straight pull of the extremity, which can cause the patient to constantly slide
down in bed. - ANS ✔✔A and C
B is incorrect because Russell's traction is a form of skin traction
D is incorrect because Russell's traction promotes *flexion* of the knee joint
E is incorrect because this is describing Buck's traction.
Page 10 Musculoskeletal VO I
You receive a patient post-op from a microdiskectomy. You understand that neurovascular assessments
for this patient are going to take priority. You are to perform Neurovascular checks of the lower
extremities every hour until the end of the shift.. You understand that the vascular component of a
neurovascular assessment includes the following: (Select all that apply)
A) Color of the extremities
B) Pain
C) Motor function
