DUNPHY FINAL CLINICAL NURS 671
EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
One of the initial steps in assessing pt's w/musculoskeletal complaints is to determine whether
the complaint is articular or nonarticular in origin. Which of the following is an example of an
articular structure?
a. Bone
b. Synovium
c. Tendons
d. Fascia - ANS b. Synovium
You have detected the presence of crepitus on exam of a pt with a musculskeletal complaint.
Additionally, there is limited ROM w/both active and passive movement. These findings suggest
that the origin of the musculoskeletal complaint is: - ANS Articular
Which of the following signs or symptoms indicate an inflammatory etiology to musculoskeletal
pain?
a. Decreased CRP
b. Hyperalbuminemia
c. Morning stiffness
d. Weight gain - ANS c. Morning stiffness
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,Which of the following statements concerning the musculoskeletal exam is true?
a. The uninvolved side should be examined initially and then compared to the involved side.
b. The part of the body that is causing the pain should be examined first.
c. When possible, the pt should not be asked to perform active ROM exercises to avoid causing
pain.
d. Radiographs should always be obtained prior to examination so as not to cause further injury
to the pt. - ANS a. The uninvolved side should be examined initially and then compared to
the involved side.
You are performing muscle strength testing on a pt presenting w/musculoskeletal pain and find
that the pt has complete ROM w/gravity eliminated. Which numeric grade of muscle strength
would you give this pt, 1-5? - ANS 2
Mrs. Gray is a 55yo woman who presents with tightness, pain, and limited movement in her
right shoulder. She denies any h/o trauma. Her exam reveals a 75% reduction in both active and
passive ROM of the right shoulder. Mrs. Gray also is experiencing tenderness with motion and
pain at the deltoid insertion. Her medical hx is significant for type 1 diabetes mellitus and HTN.
Her social hx reveals that she is a secretary and that she is right-handed. Based on her
examination and medical hx, you suspect adhesive capsulitis, or "frozen shoulder." Which clue
in Mrs. Gray's hx supports this dx? - ANS Her h/o diabetes
Jennifer is an 18yo who comes to the ER after a fall during a soccer game. Jennifer explains that
she fell on her left side and kept her arm out straight to break her fall. She has been
experiencing severe pain and limited ROM in her left shoulder. The clinician has diagnosed
Jennifer with a dislocated shoulder. Which of the following statements are true concerning
shoulder dislocation?
a. Posterior dislocations are more common than anterior dislocations
b. There is a risk of neurovascular and neurosensory trauma, so the clinician should check for
distal pulses
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,c. Recurrent dislocations are uncommon and would require great force to result in injury.
d. Surgery is most commonly the treatment of choice - ANS b. There is a risk of
neurovascular and neurosensory trauma, so the clinician should check for distal pulses
Mrs. Anderson is a 35yo woman who has been recently diagnosed with carpal tunnel
syndrome. She has 2 young children and asks the clinician what the chances are that they also
will develop carpal tunnel syndrome. Which of the following responses would be correct
regarding the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome?
a. Carpal tunnel syndrome commonly occurs in families. Genetic factors are thought to account
for about one-half the risk of developing carpal tunnel.
b. Only people w/occupations that require repeated flexion extension of the wrist, use of hand
tools that require forceful gripping, or use of hand tools that vibrate are at risk for developing
carpal tunnel.
c. An underlying musculoskeletal disorder must be present for a person to develop carpal
tunnel.
d. Carpal tunnel syndrome only occurs in the presence of a hormonal imbalance. - ANS a.
Carpal tunnel syndrome commonly occurs in families. Genetic factors are thought to account
for about one-half the risk of developing carpal tunnel.
Which of the following statements is true regarding the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome?
a. The goal of treatment is to prevent flexion and extension movements of the wrist.
b. Splints are used in carpal tunnel syndrome, because they allow for free movement of the
fingers and thumb while maintaining the wrist in a neutral position.
c. Corticosteroid injections are discouraged in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome because
of the risks for median nerve damage, scarring, and infection.
d. All of the above - ANS d. All of the above
Sam is a 25yo who has been diagnosed with low back strain based on his h/o localized low back
pain and muscle spasm along with a normal neurological examination. As the clinician, you
explain to Sam that low back pain is a diagnosis of exclusion. Which of the following symptoms
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, would alert the clinician to the more serious finding of a herniated nucleus pulposus or
ruptured disc?
a. Morning stiffness and limited mobility of the lumbar spine
b. Unilateral radicular pain symptoms that extend below the knee and are equal to or greater
than the back pain.
c. Fever, chills, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate
d. Pathologic fractures, severe night pain, weight loss, and fatigue - ANS b. Unilateral
radicular pain symptoms that extend below the knee and are equal to or greater than the back
pain
The clinician has instructed Sam, a 25yo pt with low back strain, to use NSAIDs to manage his
symptoms of pain and discomfort. Which of the following statements would be most
appropriate when teaching Sam about the use of NSAIDs?
a. "You should start with the lowest dose that is effective in managing your pain, because long-
term use of NSAIDs can result in GI disorders such as ulcers and hemorrhage."
b. "You should start with the lowest dose that is effective in managing your pain to avoid
developing tolerance to the medication."
c. "You should take the maximum recommended dose of NSAIDs so that you will not need to
take narcotics to control your pain."
d. "It is important to take NSAIDs on an empty stomach in order to increase absorption." -
ANS a. "You should start with the lowest dose that is effective in managing your pain,
because long-term use of NSAIDs can result in GI disorders such as ulcers and hemorrhage."
Janet is a 30yo who has recently been diagnosed with a herniated disc at the level of L5-S1. She
is currently in the ER with suspicion of cauda equina compression. Which of the following is a
sign or symptom of cauda equina compression?
a. Gastrocnemius weakness
b. A reduced or absent ankle reflex
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EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
One of the initial steps in assessing pt's w/musculoskeletal complaints is to determine whether
the complaint is articular or nonarticular in origin. Which of the following is an example of an
articular structure?
a. Bone
b. Synovium
c. Tendons
d. Fascia - ANS b. Synovium
You have detected the presence of crepitus on exam of a pt with a musculskeletal complaint.
Additionally, there is limited ROM w/both active and passive movement. These findings suggest
that the origin of the musculoskeletal complaint is: - ANS Articular
Which of the following signs or symptoms indicate an inflammatory etiology to musculoskeletal
pain?
a. Decreased CRP
b. Hyperalbuminemia
c. Morning stiffness
d. Weight gain - ANS c. Morning stiffness
COPYRIGHT © 2025 FYNDLAY ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,Which of the following statements concerning the musculoskeletal exam is true?
a. The uninvolved side should be examined initially and then compared to the involved side.
b. The part of the body that is causing the pain should be examined first.
c. When possible, the pt should not be asked to perform active ROM exercises to avoid causing
pain.
d. Radiographs should always be obtained prior to examination so as not to cause further injury
to the pt. - ANS a. The uninvolved side should be examined initially and then compared to
the involved side.
You are performing muscle strength testing on a pt presenting w/musculoskeletal pain and find
that the pt has complete ROM w/gravity eliminated. Which numeric grade of muscle strength
would you give this pt, 1-5? - ANS 2
Mrs. Gray is a 55yo woman who presents with tightness, pain, and limited movement in her
right shoulder. She denies any h/o trauma. Her exam reveals a 75% reduction in both active and
passive ROM of the right shoulder. Mrs. Gray also is experiencing tenderness with motion and
pain at the deltoid insertion. Her medical hx is significant for type 1 diabetes mellitus and HTN.
Her social hx reveals that she is a secretary and that she is right-handed. Based on her
examination and medical hx, you suspect adhesive capsulitis, or "frozen shoulder." Which clue
in Mrs. Gray's hx supports this dx? - ANS Her h/o diabetes
Jennifer is an 18yo who comes to the ER after a fall during a soccer game. Jennifer explains that
she fell on her left side and kept her arm out straight to break her fall. She has been
experiencing severe pain and limited ROM in her left shoulder. The clinician has diagnosed
Jennifer with a dislocated shoulder. Which of the following statements are true concerning
shoulder dislocation?
a. Posterior dislocations are more common than anterior dislocations
b. There is a risk of neurovascular and neurosensory trauma, so the clinician should check for
distal pulses
COPYRIGHT © 2025 FYNDLAY ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,c. Recurrent dislocations are uncommon and would require great force to result in injury.
d. Surgery is most commonly the treatment of choice - ANS b. There is a risk of
neurovascular and neurosensory trauma, so the clinician should check for distal pulses
Mrs. Anderson is a 35yo woman who has been recently diagnosed with carpal tunnel
syndrome. She has 2 young children and asks the clinician what the chances are that they also
will develop carpal tunnel syndrome. Which of the following responses would be correct
regarding the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome?
a. Carpal tunnel syndrome commonly occurs in families. Genetic factors are thought to account
for about one-half the risk of developing carpal tunnel.
b. Only people w/occupations that require repeated flexion extension of the wrist, use of hand
tools that require forceful gripping, or use of hand tools that vibrate are at risk for developing
carpal tunnel.
c. An underlying musculoskeletal disorder must be present for a person to develop carpal
tunnel.
d. Carpal tunnel syndrome only occurs in the presence of a hormonal imbalance. - ANS a.
Carpal tunnel syndrome commonly occurs in families. Genetic factors are thought to account
for about one-half the risk of developing carpal tunnel.
Which of the following statements is true regarding the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome?
a. The goal of treatment is to prevent flexion and extension movements of the wrist.
b. Splints are used in carpal tunnel syndrome, because they allow for free movement of the
fingers and thumb while maintaining the wrist in a neutral position.
c. Corticosteroid injections are discouraged in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome because
of the risks for median nerve damage, scarring, and infection.
d. All of the above - ANS d. All of the above
Sam is a 25yo who has been diagnosed with low back strain based on his h/o localized low back
pain and muscle spasm along with a normal neurological examination. As the clinician, you
explain to Sam that low back pain is a diagnosis of exclusion. Which of the following symptoms
COPYRIGHT © 2025 FYNDLAY ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, would alert the clinician to the more serious finding of a herniated nucleus pulposus or
ruptured disc?
a. Morning stiffness and limited mobility of the lumbar spine
b. Unilateral radicular pain symptoms that extend below the knee and are equal to or greater
than the back pain.
c. Fever, chills, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate
d. Pathologic fractures, severe night pain, weight loss, and fatigue - ANS b. Unilateral
radicular pain symptoms that extend below the knee and are equal to or greater than the back
pain
The clinician has instructed Sam, a 25yo pt with low back strain, to use NSAIDs to manage his
symptoms of pain and discomfort. Which of the following statements would be most
appropriate when teaching Sam about the use of NSAIDs?
a. "You should start with the lowest dose that is effective in managing your pain, because long-
term use of NSAIDs can result in GI disorders such as ulcers and hemorrhage."
b. "You should start with the lowest dose that is effective in managing your pain to avoid
developing tolerance to the medication."
c. "You should take the maximum recommended dose of NSAIDs so that you will not need to
take narcotics to control your pain."
d. "It is important to take NSAIDs on an empty stomach in order to increase absorption." -
ANS a. "You should start with the lowest dose that is effective in managing your pain,
because long-term use of NSAIDs can result in GI disorders such as ulcers and hemorrhage."
Janet is a 30yo who has recently been diagnosed with a herniated disc at the level of L5-S1. She
is currently in the ER with suspicion of cauda equina compression. Which of the following is a
sign or symptom of cauda equina compression?
a. Gastrocnemius weakness
b. A reduced or absent ankle reflex
COPYRIGHT © 2025 FYNDLAY ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
