Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Exam
Study Guide Latest Updated
What are the instructions you should give patient who have a cast? - ANSWER-Should
be kept dry - place a bag over the cast while showering or bathing
Skin areas at the ends of the cast should be closely monitored - the rough edges may
be filed with an emery board only
Never stick anything down into or under the cast to itch and scratch (if an object gets
caught inside the cast, serious skin damage or infection can occur)
How can you relieve an itch with a cast? - ANSWER-Point a hair dryer (on low and cool)
into the end of it
When should you get medical attention with a cast? - ANSWER-Tightness, increasing
pain within the cast
Numbness, color change, or temperature change in areas distal to the cast
Follow up if cast becomes loose or cracked
How can you relieve pain and prevent swelling w/ a cast? - ANSWER-Elevate the cast
above the heart and use ice packs over the cast
Don't forget to exercise the body on either side of the cast (move fingers and toes
What factors are considered when determining what kind of cast to put on? - ANSWER-
Cost, physician comfort/familiarity, joint being immobilized, injury being treated, patient
type
Why might you choose Plaster of Paris for a cast? - ANSWER-Slightly cheaper; it molds
well, but is slightly heavier and has a much longer "setting" or drying time.
This increased drying time and weight may not be ideal, for example, in a child in an
outpatient setting, with an upper extremity injury
Why might you choose fiberglass for a cast? - ANSWER-Slightly more expensive,
comes in different colors, molds well, is lightweight, and drying time can be as little as 5
minutes. More water resistant.
Edges can be more abrasive due to the wider weave. Fiberglass tends to produce
slightly more heat w/ application
What are long bones? - ANSWER-bones that are longer than they are wide
Consist of a shaft (diaphysis) and head (epiphyses)
ex. humerus, femur
, What are short bones? - ANSWER-Cubical in shape
Composed largely of spongy bone
ex. carpals in the wrist
What are flat bones? - ANSWER-thin and flat with slight curvature
Composed mostly of compact bone
ex. skull bones
What are irregular bones? - ANSWER-Do not fit the long, short, or flat bone
classifications
Composed of mostly spongy bone with thin compact outer later
ex. vertebrae and the bones in the pelvic girdle
What are the components of a long bone? - ANSWER-Diaphysis - long shaft, made of
outer layer of compact bone and an inner layer of marrow
Epiphyses: end of a typical long bone, made of an outer compact layer of bone and an
inner core of spongy bone
What is the periosteum? - ANSWER-A membrane that lines both the diaphysis and
epiphyses externally
Contains a rich supply of nerve fibers, lymph and blood vessels
What are risk factors for musculoskeletal injury and trauma? - ANSWER-Risk taking
behavior
Male teens/young adults
Race
Alcohol
Substance abuse
Socioeconomic standing
Age
Geographic location
NOT EDUCATION
How are fractures classified? - ANSWER-1st: Location -
Distal/proximal/lateral/numbering (3rd/4th/etc)/portion of bone (epiphyses/diaphysis)
2nd: Fracture Description -
Spiral/oblique/comminuted/segmented/compressed/transverse
3rd: Displacement of fracture or its fragments -
non-displaced/angulated/distracted/displaced
4th: Condition of surrounding soft tissue - open/closed
What might predispose you to a fracture? - ANSWER-Biological: age, type of bone
External: Amount of force applied, angle of force applied, duration of force
Study Guide Latest Updated
What are the instructions you should give patient who have a cast? - ANSWER-Should
be kept dry - place a bag over the cast while showering or bathing
Skin areas at the ends of the cast should be closely monitored - the rough edges may
be filed with an emery board only
Never stick anything down into or under the cast to itch and scratch (if an object gets
caught inside the cast, serious skin damage or infection can occur)
How can you relieve an itch with a cast? - ANSWER-Point a hair dryer (on low and cool)
into the end of it
When should you get medical attention with a cast? - ANSWER-Tightness, increasing
pain within the cast
Numbness, color change, or temperature change in areas distal to the cast
Follow up if cast becomes loose or cracked
How can you relieve pain and prevent swelling w/ a cast? - ANSWER-Elevate the cast
above the heart and use ice packs over the cast
Don't forget to exercise the body on either side of the cast (move fingers and toes
What factors are considered when determining what kind of cast to put on? - ANSWER-
Cost, physician comfort/familiarity, joint being immobilized, injury being treated, patient
type
Why might you choose Plaster of Paris for a cast? - ANSWER-Slightly cheaper; it molds
well, but is slightly heavier and has a much longer "setting" or drying time.
This increased drying time and weight may not be ideal, for example, in a child in an
outpatient setting, with an upper extremity injury
Why might you choose fiberglass for a cast? - ANSWER-Slightly more expensive,
comes in different colors, molds well, is lightweight, and drying time can be as little as 5
minutes. More water resistant.
Edges can be more abrasive due to the wider weave. Fiberglass tends to produce
slightly more heat w/ application
What are long bones? - ANSWER-bones that are longer than they are wide
Consist of a shaft (diaphysis) and head (epiphyses)
ex. humerus, femur
, What are short bones? - ANSWER-Cubical in shape
Composed largely of spongy bone
ex. carpals in the wrist
What are flat bones? - ANSWER-thin and flat with slight curvature
Composed mostly of compact bone
ex. skull bones
What are irregular bones? - ANSWER-Do not fit the long, short, or flat bone
classifications
Composed of mostly spongy bone with thin compact outer later
ex. vertebrae and the bones in the pelvic girdle
What are the components of a long bone? - ANSWER-Diaphysis - long shaft, made of
outer layer of compact bone and an inner layer of marrow
Epiphyses: end of a typical long bone, made of an outer compact layer of bone and an
inner core of spongy bone
What is the periosteum? - ANSWER-A membrane that lines both the diaphysis and
epiphyses externally
Contains a rich supply of nerve fibers, lymph and blood vessels
What are risk factors for musculoskeletal injury and trauma? - ANSWER-Risk taking
behavior
Male teens/young adults
Race
Alcohol
Substance abuse
Socioeconomic standing
Age
Geographic location
NOT EDUCATION
How are fractures classified? - ANSWER-1st: Location -
Distal/proximal/lateral/numbering (3rd/4th/etc)/portion of bone (epiphyses/diaphysis)
2nd: Fracture Description -
Spiral/oblique/comminuted/segmented/compressed/transverse
3rd: Displacement of fracture or its fragments -
non-displaced/angulated/distracted/displaced
4th: Condition of surrounding soft tissue - open/closed
What might predispose you to a fracture? - ANSWER-Biological: age, type of bone
External: Amount of force applied, angle of force applied, duration of force
