Musculoskeletal Disorders NCLEX
Practice Quiz | 2025/2026 Latest
Edition
Real NCLEX-Based Questions and Verified Answers |
100% Accuracy | Orthopedic Nursing & Mobility
Disorders | Graded A+
Introduction
This resource includes 70 verified NCLEX-style multiple-choice questions and correct
answers focused on musculoskeletal conditions such as fractures, osteoporosis, arthritis,
mobility complications, and nursing interventions. Content is fully aligned with the
2025/2026 NCLEX-RN® testing standards.
Answer Format
All correct answers are clearly marked in bold and green for efficient study and improved
test performance.
Questions
1. A client with a fractured femur is placed in skeletal traction. What is
the primary purpose of this intervention?
a) Promote wound healing
b) Align the fracture and reduce muscle spasms
c) Prevent infection
d) Increase joint mobility
b) Align the fracture and reduce muscle spasms
Rationale: Skeletal traction aligns the fractured bone ends and reduces muscle spasms to
promote healing.
2. A nurse is caring for a client with osteoporosis. Which instruction is
most important to prevent fractures?
a) Avoid weight-bearing exercises
b) Increase calcium and vitamin D intake
c) Limit fluid intake
d) Avoid stretching exercises
b) Increase calcium and vitamin D intake
,Rationale: Calcium and vitamin D strengthen bones, reducing the risk of fractures in
osteoporosis.
3. A client with rheumatoid arthritis reports morning stiffness. What is
the best nursing intervention?
a) Administer analgesics before bedtime
b) Encourage gentle range-of-motion exercises
c) Apply cold packs to joints
d) Restrict all physical activity
b) Encourage gentle range-of-motion exercises
Rationale: Gentle range-of-motion exercises reduce stiffness and maintain joint mobility in
rheumatoid arthritis.
4. A client with a hip fracture is at risk for which complication?
a) Hypoglycemia
b) Deep vein thrombosis
c) Hypertension
d) Hyperkalemia
b) Deep vein thrombosis
Rationale: Immobility after a hip fracture increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis due to
venous stasis.
5. A nurse is assessing a client with a suspected sprain. Which finding is
most indicative of this injury?
a) Bone deformity
b) Swelling and pain at the joint
c) Open wound with bone protrusion
d) Loss of sensation
b) Swelling and pain at the joint
Rationale: A sprain involves ligament injury, causing swelling, pain, and limited joint
mobility.
6. A client with a cast on the lower leg reports a burning sensation under
the cast. What should the nurse do first?
a) Administer pain medication
b) Elevate the leg
c) Assess for signs of pressure or infection
d) Apply ice over the cast
c) Assess for signs of pressure or infection
Rationale: A burning sensation may indicate pressure, impaired circulation, or infection,
requiring immediate assessment.
7. Which nursing intervention is priority for a client with a newly applied
plaster cast?
, a) Keep the cast covered with a blanket
b) Monitor for signs of compartment syndrome
c) Encourage immediate weight-bearing
d) Apply heat to the cast
b) Monitor for signs of compartment syndrome
Rationale: Compartment syndrome is a serious complication of casts, requiring early
detection to prevent tissue damage.
8. A client with osteoarthritis asks about pain management. What should
the nurse recommend?
a) Avoid all physical activity
b) Apply heat to affected joints
c) Use high-impact exercises
d) Restrict calcium intake
b) Apply heat to affected joints
Rationale: Heat therapy reduces joint stiffness and pain in osteoarthritis by improving blood
flow.
9. A client with a suspected fracture is awaiting X-ray results. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
a) Immobilize the affected limb
b) Administer antibiotics
c) Encourage ambulation
d) Apply a warm compress
a) Immobilize the affected limb
Rationale: Immobilization prevents further injury and stabilizes the fracture until diagnosis is
confirmed.
10. A client with gout is prescribed allopurinol. What is the primary
purpose of this medication?
a) Reduce joint inflammation
b) Decrease uric acid levels
c) Relieve pain
d) Prevent infection
b) Decrease uric acid levels
Rationale: Allopurinol reduces uric acid production, preventing gout attacks caused by uric
acid crystal deposits.
11. A client with a spinal cord injury is at risk for which musculoskeletal
complication?
a) Osteoporosis
b) Rheumatoid arthritis
c) Gout
d) Osteoarthritis
Practice Quiz | 2025/2026 Latest
Edition
Real NCLEX-Based Questions and Verified Answers |
100% Accuracy | Orthopedic Nursing & Mobility
Disorders | Graded A+
Introduction
This resource includes 70 verified NCLEX-style multiple-choice questions and correct
answers focused on musculoskeletal conditions such as fractures, osteoporosis, arthritis,
mobility complications, and nursing interventions. Content is fully aligned with the
2025/2026 NCLEX-RN® testing standards.
Answer Format
All correct answers are clearly marked in bold and green for efficient study and improved
test performance.
Questions
1. A client with a fractured femur is placed in skeletal traction. What is
the primary purpose of this intervention?
a) Promote wound healing
b) Align the fracture and reduce muscle spasms
c) Prevent infection
d) Increase joint mobility
b) Align the fracture and reduce muscle spasms
Rationale: Skeletal traction aligns the fractured bone ends and reduces muscle spasms to
promote healing.
2. A nurse is caring for a client with osteoporosis. Which instruction is
most important to prevent fractures?
a) Avoid weight-bearing exercises
b) Increase calcium and vitamin D intake
c) Limit fluid intake
d) Avoid stretching exercises
b) Increase calcium and vitamin D intake
,Rationale: Calcium and vitamin D strengthen bones, reducing the risk of fractures in
osteoporosis.
3. A client with rheumatoid arthritis reports morning stiffness. What is
the best nursing intervention?
a) Administer analgesics before bedtime
b) Encourage gentle range-of-motion exercises
c) Apply cold packs to joints
d) Restrict all physical activity
b) Encourage gentle range-of-motion exercises
Rationale: Gentle range-of-motion exercises reduce stiffness and maintain joint mobility in
rheumatoid arthritis.
4. A client with a hip fracture is at risk for which complication?
a) Hypoglycemia
b) Deep vein thrombosis
c) Hypertension
d) Hyperkalemia
b) Deep vein thrombosis
Rationale: Immobility after a hip fracture increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis due to
venous stasis.
5. A nurse is assessing a client with a suspected sprain. Which finding is
most indicative of this injury?
a) Bone deformity
b) Swelling and pain at the joint
c) Open wound with bone protrusion
d) Loss of sensation
b) Swelling and pain at the joint
Rationale: A sprain involves ligament injury, causing swelling, pain, and limited joint
mobility.
6. A client with a cast on the lower leg reports a burning sensation under
the cast. What should the nurse do first?
a) Administer pain medication
b) Elevate the leg
c) Assess for signs of pressure or infection
d) Apply ice over the cast
c) Assess for signs of pressure or infection
Rationale: A burning sensation may indicate pressure, impaired circulation, or infection,
requiring immediate assessment.
7. Which nursing intervention is priority for a client with a newly applied
plaster cast?
, a) Keep the cast covered with a blanket
b) Monitor for signs of compartment syndrome
c) Encourage immediate weight-bearing
d) Apply heat to the cast
b) Monitor for signs of compartment syndrome
Rationale: Compartment syndrome is a serious complication of casts, requiring early
detection to prevent tissue damage.
8. A client with osteoarthritis asks about pain management. What should
the nurse recommend?
a) Avoid all physical activity
b) Apply heat to affected joints
c) Use high-impact exercises
d) Restrict calcium intake
b) Apply heat to affected joints
Rationale: Heat therapy reduces joint stiffness and pain in osteoarthritis by improving blood
flow.
9. A client with a suspected fracture is awaiting X-ray results. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
a) Immobilize the affected limb
b) Administer antibiotics
c) Encourage ambulation
d) Apply a warm compress
a) Immobilize the affected limb
Rationale: Immobilization prevents further injury and stabilizes the fracture until diagnosis is
confirmed.
10. A client with gout is prescribed allopurinol. What is the primary
purpose of this medication?
a) Reduce joint inflammation
b) Decrease uric acid levels
c) Relieve pain
d) Prevent infection
b) Decrease uric acid levels
Rationale: Allopurinol reduces uric acid production, preventing gout attacks caused by uric
acid crystal deposits.
11. A client with a spinal cord injury is at risk for which musculoskeletal
complication?
a) Osteoporosis
b) Rheumatoid arthritis
c) Gout
d) Osteoarthritis
