Chapter 24: The Child with a Musculoskeletal
Condition
Leifer: Introduction to Maternity and Pediatric Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A 13-year-old girl is diagnosed with functional scoliosis. What does the nurse explain as the
cause of this spinal curvature defect?
a. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
b. Poor posture
c. Heredity
d. Myelomeningocele
ANS: B
Functional scoliosis usually is caused by poor posture, and it is not a spinal disease.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 586 OBJ: 13
TOP: Scoliosis KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
2. What intervention is appropriate for a nurse assessing a preadolescent child for scoliosis?
a. Ask the child to bend forward at the waist and observe the child‘s back for asymmetry.
b. Observe the gait while the child is walking forward heel to toe.
c. Have the child flex the knees and look for uneven knee height.
d. Look at the child‘s shoulders and hips while fully clothed.
ANS: A
The nurse looks at the back as the child bends forward for general body alignment and
asymmetry.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 588 OBJ: 13
TOP: Scoliosis KEY: Nursing Process Step: Data Collection
, MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Early Detection
of Disease
3. What nursing action will significantly decrease the risk of serious complications for a child in
Bryant‘s traction?
a. Neurovascular checks are done frequently.
b. Bandages are wrapped tightly.
c. The child is restrained from rolling over.
d. The child‘s buttocks are resting on the bed.
ANS: A
The nurse caring for a child in traction must be alert for Volkmann‘s ischemia, which occurs
when circulation is obstructed.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 578 OBJ: 7 | 8
TOP: Traction: Volkmann‘s Ischemia KEY: Nursing Process Step: Data
Collection
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Early Detection
of Disease
4. Which intervention would be helpful in relieving morning discomfort associated with juvenile
rheumatoid arthritis?
a. Wearing splints at night to prevent extension contractures
b. Applying moist heat packs upon awakening
c. Taking a warm tub bath the evening before
d. Sleeping with two pillows under the head
ANS: B
Application of moist heat, with a compress or by tub bath upon awakening in the morning,
will help to lessen stiffness.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 586 OBJ: 12
TOP: Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis KEY: Nursing Process Step:
Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort
Condition
Leifer: Introduction to Maternity and Pediatric Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A 13-year-old girl is diagnosed with functional scoliosis. What does the nurse explain as the
cause of this spinal curvature defect?
a. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
b. Poor posture
c. Heredity
d. Myelomeningocele
ANS: B
Functional scoliosis usually is caused by poor posture, and it is not a spinal disease.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 586 OBJ: 13
TOP: Scoliosis KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
2. What intervention is appropriate for a nurse assessing a preadolescent child for scoliosis?
a. Ask the child to bend forward at the waist and observe the child‘s back for asymmetry.
b. Observe the gait while the child is walking forward heel to toe.
c. Have the child flex the knees and look for uneven knee height.
d. Look at the child‘s shoulders and hips while fully clothed.
ANS: A
The nurse looks at the back as the child bends forward for general body alignment and
asymmetry.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 588 OBJ: 13
TOP: Scoliosis KEY: Nursing Process Step: Data Collection
, MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Early Detection
of Disease
3. What nursing action will significantly decrease the risk of serious complications for a child in
Bryant‘s traction?
a. Neurovascular checks are done frequently.
b. Bandages are wrapped tightly.
c. The child is restrained from rolling over.
d. The child‘s buttocks are resting on the bed.
ANS: A
The nurse caring for a child in traction must be alert for Volkmann‘s ischemia, which occurs
when circulation is obstructed.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 578 OBJ: 7 | 8
TOP: Traction: Volkmann‘s Ischemia KEY: Nursing Process Step: Data
Collection
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Early Detection
of Disease
4. Which intervention would be helpful in relieving morning discomfort associated with juvenile
rheumatoid arthritis?
a. Wearing splints at night to prevent extension contractures
b. Applying moist heat packs upon awakening
c. Taking a warm tub bath the evening before
d. Sleeping with two pillows under the head
ANS: B
Application of moist heat, with a compress or by tub bath upon awakening in the morning,
will help to lessen stiffness.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 586 OBJ: 12
TOP: Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis KEY: Nursing Process Step:
Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort
