orthoP NCLEX 101 Exam 2020/2021 Correct Answers, Rationales

A client seeks care for low back pain of 2 weeks' duration. Which assessment finding suggests a herniated intervertebral disk? 1. Pain radiating down the posterior thigh 2. Back pain when the knees are flexed 3. Atrophy of the lower leg muscles 4. Homans' sign Correct Answer: 1 Your Answer: 1 RATIONALES: A herniated intervertebral disk may compress the spinal nerve roots, causing sciatic nerve inflammation that results in pain radiating down the leg. Slight knee flexion should relieve, not precipitate, low back pain. If nerve root compression remains untreated, weakness or paralysis of the innervated muscle group may result; lower leg atrophy may occur if muscles aren't used. Homans' sign is more typical of phlebothrombosis. The nurse is teaching a client with osteomalacia how to take prescribed vitamin D supplements. The nurse stresses the importance of taking only the prescribed amount because high doses of vitamin D can be toxic. Early signs and symptoms of vitamin D toxicity include: 1. GI upset and metallic taste. 2. dry skin, hair loss, and inflamed mucous membranes. 3. flushing and orthostatic hypotension. 4. sensory neuropathy and difficulty maintaining balance. Correct Answer: 1 Your Answer: 1 RATIONALES: GI upset and metallic taste are early signs and symptoms of vitamin D toxicity. Such toxicity also may cause headache, weakness, renal insufficiency, renal calculi, hypertension, arrhythmias, muscle pain, and conjunctivitis. Dry skin, hair loss, and inflamed mucous membranes suggest vitamin A toxicity. Flushing and orthostatic hypotension (effects of vasodilation) may result from nicotinic acid and nicotinamide supplements, used to correct niacin deficiency. Sensory neuropathy and difficulty maintaining balance suggest pyridoxine toxicity. A client with osteoarthritis tells the nurse she is concerned that the disease will prevent her from doing her chores. Which suggestion should the nurse offer? 1. "Do all your chores in the morning, when pain and stiffness are least pronounced." 2. "Do all your chores after performing morning exercises to loosen up." 3. "Pace yourself and rest frequently, especially after activities." 4. "Do all your chores in the evening, when pain and stiffness are least pronounced." Correct Answer: 3 Your Answer: 3 RATIONALES: A client with osteoarthritis must adapt to this chronic and disabling disease, which causes deterioration of the joint cartilage. The most common symptom of the disease is deep, aching joint pain, particularly in the morning and after exercise and weight-bearing activities. Because rest usually relieves the pain, the nurse should instruct the client to rest frequently, especially after activities, and to pace herself during daily activities. Option 1 is incorrect because the pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis are most pronounced in the morning. Options 2 and 4 are incorrect because the client should pace herself and take frequent rests rather than doing all chores at once.