🦴 NSG4052 Exam 1 Study Guide (Weeks 1–3)
WEEK 1 — Musculoskeletal A&P & Assessment
🔹 Functions of the Musculoskeletal System
Protects organs, provides support/stability, stores calcium/phosphate, produces
blood cells (hematopoiesis), allows movement.
Voluntary muscles make up half of body weight.
🔹 Bone Basics
Dynamic tissue – constantly remodeling (osteoblasts build, osteoclasts break
down).
Types:
o Cortical (compact) – dense outer shell.
o Cancellous (spongy) – contains red bone marrow (hematopoiesis).
o Yellow marrow – stores fat.
Shapes:
o Long (femur, humerus)
o Short (carpals)
o Flat (skull, ribs)
o Irregular (vertebrae)
🔹 Cartilage & Connective Tissue
Cartilage: avascular → heals slowly.
o Hyaline: joints, trachea.
o Elastic: ear, epiglottis.
o Fibrous: intervertebral discs.
Ligaments: bone → bone (stabilize joints, elastic).
Tendons: muscle → bone (dense, slow repair).
Fascia: surrounds muscle bundles; bursae cushion joints (bursitis =
inflammation).
🔹 Muscles
Skeletal (voluntary) – movement, posture, balance.
Smooth (involuntary) – organs, GI, vessels.
Cardiac (involuntary, striated) – only in heart.
This study source was downloaded by 100000901307859 from CourseHero.com on 10-21-2025 07:20:47 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/252034331/adult-III-Exam-1-Study-Guidedocx/
, Excitability: action potentials → contraction (needs ATP, calcium).
🔹 Muscle Tone
Partial contraction at rest → maintains posture.
o Hypertonia: rigidity/spasticity.
o Hypotonia: flaccidity.
🔹 Assessment
Subjective: pain, stiffness, weakness, meds, injury history.
Objective: posture, gait, ROM, swelling, deformity.
Palpate: warmth, tenderness, crepitus.
Older adults: ↓ bone density, joint stiffness, fall risk, decreased proprioception.
🔹 Diagnostics
X-ray: fracture, bone density.
Arthroscopy: joint visualization; post-op care = ice, elevate, monitor
neurovascular.
Bone Scan: isotope uptake (hot spots = abnormal).
DEXA: bone density, osteoporosis detection.
EMG/Nerve Studies: neuromuscular disorders; avoid caffeine, anticoagulants
before.
MRI/CT: soft tissue visualization; assess for metal, allergies, renal function.
WEEK 2 — Trauma, Fractures, Orthopedic Surgery, Amputation
🔹 Soft Tissue Injuries
Sprain: stretched/tearing of ligament (ankle, knee).
Strain: overstretched muscle/tendon.
Dislocation: bones out of joint.
Treatment: RICE = Rest, Ice (not direct), Compression, Elevation.
After 48h → switch to moist heat.
Repetitive strain injuries (RSI): chronic overuse → rest, NSAIDs, PT.
Carpal Tunnel: median nerve compression; Tinel’s/Phalen’s test (+); splints,
steroids, surgery.
This study source was downloaded by 100000901307859 from CourseHero.com on 10-21-2025 07:20:47 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/252034331/adult-III-Exam-1-Study-Guidedocx/
WEEK 1 — Musculoskeletal A&P & Assessment
🔹 Functions of the Musculoskeletal System
Protects organs, provides support/stability, stores calcium/phosphate, produces
blood cells (hematopoiesis), allows movement.
Voluntary muscles make up half of body weight.
🔹 Bone Basics
Dynamic tissue – constantly remodeling (osteoblasts build, osteoclasts break
down).
Types:
o Cortical (compact) – dense outer shell.
o Cancellous (spongy) – contains red bone marrow (hematopoiesis).
o Yellow marrow – stores fat.
Shapes:
o Long (femur, humerus)
o Short (carpals)
o Flat (skull, ribs)
o Irregular (vertebrae)
🔹 Cartilage & Connective Tissue
Cartilage: avascular → heals slowly.
o Hyaline: joints, trachea.
o Elastic: ear, epiglottis.
o Fibrous: intervertebral discs.
Ligaments: bone → bone (stabilize joints, elastic).
Tendons: muscle → bone (dense, slow repair).
Fascia: surrounds muscle bundles; bursae cushion joints (bursitis =
inflammation).
🔹 Muscles
Skeletal (voluntary) – movement, posture, balance.
Smooth (involuntary) – organs, GI, vessels.
Cardiac (involuntary, striated) – only in heart.
This study source was downloaded by 100000901307859 from CourseHero.com on 10-21-2025 07:20:47 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/252034331/adult-III-Exam-1-Study-Guidedocx/
, Excitability: action potentials → contraction (needs ATP, calcium).
🔹 Muscle Tone
Partial contraction at rest → maintains posture.
o Hypertonia: rigidity/spasticity.
o Hypotonia: flaccidity.
🔹 Assessment
Subjective: pain, stiffness, weakness, meds, injury history.
Objective: posture, gait, ROM, swelling, deformity.
Palpate: warmth, tenderness, crepitus.
Older adults: ↓ bone density, joint stiffness, fall risk, decreased proprioception.
🔹 Diagnostics
X-ray: fracture, bone density.
Arthroscopy: joint visualization; post-op care = ice, elevate, monitor
neurovascular.
Bone Scan: isotope uptake (hot spots = abnormal).
DEXA: bone density, osteoporosis detection.
EMG/Nerve Studies: neuromuscular disorders; avoid caffeine, anticoagulants
before.
MRI/CT: soft tissue visualization; assess for metal, allergies, renal function.
WEEK 2 — Trauma, Fractures, Orthopedic Surgery, Amputation
🔹 Soft Tissue Injuries
Sprain: stretched/tearing of ligament (ankle, knee).
Strain: overstretched muscle/tendon.
Dislocation: bones out of joint.
Treatment: RICE = Rest, Ice (not direct), Compression, Elevation.
After 48h → switch to moist heat.
Repetitive strain injuries (RSI): chronic overuse → rest, NSAIDs, PT.
Carpal Tunnel: median nerve compression; Tinel’s/Phalen’s test (+); splints,
steroids, surgery.
This study source was downloaded by 100000901307859 from CourseHero.com on 10-21-2025 07:20:47 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/252034331/adult-III-Exam-1-Study-Guidedocx/
