lOMoAR cPSD| 61371432
NR304: MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM AND HEALTH PROMOTION |
VERIFIED STUDY | 2026 UPDATES
MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM
Osteoarthritis (OA)
● Pathophysiology: Degenerative joint disease; breakdown of cartilage between bones.
● Risk Factors: Advanced age, female gender, family history, obesity, joint trauma/injury.
● Signs & Symptoms:
○ Morning stiffness < 30 mins
○ Pain worsens with activity, relieved by rest
○ Joint swelling and tenderness
○ Crepitus (popping sound)
○ Heberden's and Bouchard's nodes
○ Asymmetrical involvement
● Abnormal Findings: Nodular bony enlargements, limited ROM.
● Developmental Competence: More prevalent with aging; affects weight-bearing joints
in older adults.
● Diagnosis: Physical exam, X-rays showing joint space narrowing.
● Treatment/Interventions:
○ NSAIDs, acetaminophen for pain
○ Physical therapy, assistive devices
○ Weight loss
○ Joint replacement surgery in severe cases
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
● Pathophysiology: Autoimmune inflammatory disease affecting the synovial membrane.
● Risk Factors: Age (30–60), female gender, family history, smoking.
● Signs & Symptoms:
○ Morning stiffness > 30 mins
○ Symmetrical joint swelling
○ Pain at rest and in morning
○ Redness, warmth over joints
○ Fatigue, fever, weight loss
○ Deformities: Swan neck, Boutonnière, ulnar deviation
● Abnormal Findings: Bilateral joint changes, systemic symptoms
● Developmental Competence: Can occur at any age but peaks in middle age; chronic
progression
● Diagnosis: Rheumatoid factor, ESR/CRP, X-ray, physical exam ●
Treatment/Interventions:
, lOMoAR cPSD| 61371432
○ DMARDs (e.g., Methotrexate)
○ Biologic agents
○ Corticosteroids, NSAIDs
○ Rest during flare-ups, ROM exercises
Osteoporosis
● Pathophysiology: Decreased bone density and strength, leading to fracture risk.
● Risk Factors: Age, postmenopausal women, low calcium/Vit D, low BMI, smoking,
sedentary lifestyle, corticosteroids.
● Signs & Symptoms:
○ Back pain, height loss
○ Kyphosis (hunchback)
○ Fragile bones, fractures with minimal trauma
● Abnormal Findings: Compression fractures in spine, bone fragility
● Developmental Competence: Accelerated in postmenopausal women due to estrogen
loss
● Diagnosis: DEXA scan, T-score < -2.5 ● Prevention/Treatment:
○ Weight-bearing exercise
○ Calcium (1200 mg/day), Vitamin D (800–1000 IU/day)
○ Bisphosphonates (e.g., Alendronate)
○ Smoking/alcohol cessation
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
● Pathophysiology: Compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel.
● Risk Factors: Repetitive hand use, pregnancy, diabetes, hypothyroidism ●
Signs & Symptoms:
○ Numbness/tingling in thumb, index, middle fingers
○ Hand weakness
○ Pain worse at night
● Abnormal Findings: Positive Tinel’s or Phalen’s test
● Diagnosis: Physical exam, EMG/NCS, Phalen’s and Tinel’s tests ●
Treatment:
○ Wrist splints
○ Corticosteroid injections
○ Surgical decompression
BREAST & AXILLARY EXAM
Normal Findings
● Symmetry, no masses, no discharge
● Soft, non-tender, no skin changes
NR304: MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM AND HEALTH PROMOTION |
VERIFIED STUDY | 2026 UPDATES
MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM
Osteoarthritis (OA)
● Pathophysiology: Degenerative joint disease; breakdown of cartilage between bones.
● Risk Factors: Advanced age, female gender, family history, obesity, joint trauma/injury.
● Signs & Symptoms:
○ Morning stiffness < 30 mins
○ Pain worsens with activity, relieved by rest
○ Joint swelling and tenderness
○ Crepitus (popping sound)
○ Heberden's and Bouchard's nodes
○ Asymmetrical involvement
● Abnormal Findings: Nodular bony enlargements, limited ROM.
● Developmental Competence: More prevalent with aging; affects weight-bearing joints
in older adults.
● Diagnosis: Physical exam, X-rays showing joint space narrowing.
● Treatment/Interventions:
○ NSAIDs, acetaminophen for pain
○ Physical therapy, assistive devices
○ Weight loss
○ Joint replacement surgery in severe cases
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
● Pathophysiology: Autoimmune inflammatory disease affecting the synovial membrane.
● Risk Factors: Age (30–60), female gender, family history, smoking.
● Signs & Symptoms:
○ Morning stiffness > 30 mins
○ Symmetrical joint swelling
○ Pain at rest and in morning
○ Redness, warmth over joints
○ Fatigue, fever, weight loss
○ Deformities: Swan neck, Boutonnière, ulnar deviation
● Abnormal Findings: Bilateral joint changes, systemic symptoms
● Developmental Competence: Can occur at any age but peaks in middle age; chronic
progression
● Diagnosis: Rheumatoid factor, ESR/CRP, X-ray, physical exam ●
Treatment/Interventions:
, lOMoAR cPSD| 61371432
○ DMARDs (e.g., Methotrexate)
○ Biologic agents
○ Corticosteroids, NSAIDs
○ Rest during flare-ups, ROM exercises
Osteoporosis
● Pathophysiology: Decreased bone density and strength, leading to fracture risk.
● Risk Factors: Age, postmenopausal women, low calcium/Vit D, low BMI, smoking,
sedentary lifestyle, corticosteroids.
● Signs & Symptoms:
○ Back pain, height loss
○ Kyphosis (hunchback)
○ Fragile bones, fractures with minimal trauma
● Abnormal Findings: Compression fractures in spine, bone fragility
● Developmental Competence: Accelerated in postmenopausal women due to estrogen
loss
● Diagnosis: DEXA scan, T-score < -2.5 ● Prevention/Treatment:
○ Weight-bearing exercise
○ Calcium (1200 mg/day), Vitamin D (800–1000 IU/day)
○ Bisphosphonates (e.g., Alendronate)
○ Smoking/alcohol cessation
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
● Pathophysiology: Compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel.
● Risk Factors: Repetitive hand use, pregnancy, diabetes, hypothyroidism ●
Signs & Symptoms:
○ Numbness/tingling in thumb, index, middle fingers
○ Hand weakness
○ Pain worse at night
● Abnormal Findings: Positive Tinel’s or Phalen’s test
● Diagnosis: Physical exam, EMG/NCS, Phalen’s and Tinel’s tests ●
Treatment:
○ Wrist splints
○ Corticosteroid injections
○ Surgical decompression
BREAST & AXILLARY EXAM
Normal Findings
● Symmetry, no masses, no discharge
● Soft, non-tender, no skin changes
