,NURS 120 Assessment 3 Introduction to Medical Surgical Nursing
Questions And Answers 2026/2027 West Coast University
Q1. Which statement best describes compact bone?
A. It is composed primarily of loose connective tissue.
B. It is the dense outer layer of bone that provides strength and support.
C. It contains only cartilage.
D. It is located exclusively inside joints.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Compact bone forms the dense outer portion of most bones and
provides structural strength and support. Spongy bone is more porous and
contains trabeculae.
Q2. Which type of joint allows the greatest range of movement?
A. Synovial
B. Fibrous
C. Cartilaginous
D. Fixed
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Synovial joints are freely movable and include the shoulder, hip,
knee, and other joints that permit a wide range of motion.
Q3. A patient injures a ligament while playing sports. Which
structure has been damaged?
A. Muscle
B. Tendon
C. Ligament
D. Cartilage
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Ligaments connect bone to bone and provide joint stability.
Tendons connect muscle to bone.
**Q4. Which structure connects a muscle to a bone?
A. Ligament
B. Tendon
C. Bursa
D. Meniscus
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Tendons attach muscles to bones and transmit the force
produced by muscle contraction to create movement.
**Q5. A patient asks about the role of cartilage in a synovial joint. Which
response is correct?
A. It produces red blood cells.
B. It connects muscles directly to bone.
C. It helps reduce friction and cushions the ends of bones.
D. It prevents all movement of the joint.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Articular cartilage covers the ends of bones in synovial joints and
helps reduce friction and absorb shock during movement.
**Q6. Which assessment finding indicates adequate circulation to an injured
lower extremity?
A. Pale, cool skin
B. Absent pedal pulse
C. Increasing numbness
D. Warm skin with palpable peripheral pulses
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Adequate peripheral perfusion is associated with appropriate
warmth, color, sensation, and palpable pulses. Pale or cool skin, absent
pulses, and increasing numbness can indicate impaired circulation.
**Q7. A patient with a fractured tibia reports increasing pain and numb toes.
Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Compartment syndrome
B. Osteoarthritis
C. Osteoporosis
D. Tendinitis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Severe increasing pain, paresthesia, pallor, and other
neurovascular changes may indicate compartment syndrome, a limb-
threatening emergency.
**Q8. Which finding is most concerning in a patient with a cast?
Questions And Answers 2026/2027 West Coast University
Q1. Which statement best describes compact bone?
A. It is composed primarily of loose connective tissue.
B. It is the dense outer layer of bone that provides strength and support.
C. It contains only cartilage.
D. It is located exclusively inside joints.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Compact bone forms the dense outer portion of most bones and
provides structural strength and support. Spongy bone is more porous and
contains trabeculae.
Q2. Which type of joint allows the greatest range of movement?
A. Synovial
B. Fibrous
C. Cartilaginous
D. Fixed
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Synovial joints are freely movable and include the shoulder, hip,
knee, and other joints that permit a wide range of motion.
Q3. A patient injures a ligament while playing sports. Which
structure has been damaged?
A. Muscle
B. Tendon
C. Ligament
D. Cartilage
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Ligaments connect bone to bone and provide joint stability.
Tendons connect muscle to bone.
**Q4. Which structure connects a muscle to a bone?
A. Ligament
B. Tendon
C. Bursa
D. Meniscus
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Tendons attach muscles to bones and transmit the force
produced by muscle contraction to create movement.
**Q5. A patient asks about the role of cartilage in a synovial joint. Which
response is correct?
A. It produces red blood cells.
B. It connects muscles directly to bone.
C. It helps reduce friction and cushions the ends of bones.
D. It prevents all movement of the joint.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Articular cartilage covers the ends of bones in synovial joints and
helps reduce friction and absorb shock during movement.
**Q6. Which assessment finding indicates adequate circulation to an injured
lower extremity?
A. Pale, cool skin
B. Absent pedal pulse
C. Increasing numbness
D. Warm skin with palpable peripheral pulses
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Adequate peripheral perfusion is associated with appropriate
warmth, color, sensation, and palpable pulses. Pale or cool skin, absent
pulses, and increasing numbness can indicate impaired circulation.
**Q7. A patient with a fractured tibia reports increasing pain and numb toes.
Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Compartment syndrome
B. Osteoarthritis
C. Osteoporosis
D. Tendinitis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Severe increasing pain, paresthesia, pallor, and other
neurovascular changes may indicate compartment syndrome, a limb-
threatening emergency.
**Q8. Which finding is most concerning in a patient with a cast?
