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ATI ADULT MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING – UNIT 9 Musculoskeletal
Disorders 120 Questions with Rationales
SECTION 1: MUSCULOSKELETAL ASSESSMENT & DIAGNOSTICS
(Q1–20)
1. A nurse is assessing a client's muscle strength. The client can
move the arm against gravity but not against resistance. The
nurse should grade this as:
A. 2/5
B. 3/5
C. 4/5
D. 5/5
Answer: B
Rationale: Muscle strength grading: 0=no contraction, 1=twitch,
2=movement without gravity, 3=movement against gravity,
4=movement against some resistance, 5=normal strength.
2. Which of the following is a normal finding when assessing the
musculoskeletal system?
A. Crepitus with joint movement
B. Symmetrical joint movement without pain
C. Unilateral muscle atrophy
D. Fixed joints without range of motion
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Answer: B
Rationale: Symmetrical, pain-free joint movement is normal.
Crepitus, unilateral atrophy, and fixed joints are abnormal.
3. A nurse is assessing a client's range of motion. Moving a limb
away from the midline is called:
A. Adduction
B. Abduction
C. Flexion
D. Extension
Answer: B
Rationale: Abduction is movement away from midline;
adduction is toward midline.
4. Which diagnostic test is used to visualize bone and soft tissue
in detail and is best for detecting fractures, tumors, and joint
abnormalities?
A. X-ray
B. MRI
C. CT scan
D. Bone scan
Answer: B
Rationale: MRI provides detailed images of soft tissue, bone
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marrow, and joints; X-ray is initial for fractures; CT for complex
fractures; bone scan for metastases.
5. A client is scheduled for a bone scan. Which instruction is
appropriate?
A. "You will need to be NPO for 12 hours."
B. "A radioactive isotope will be injected, and you will need to
increase fluids after."
C. "You will not need to remove jewelry."
D. "You can drive yourself home immediately."
Answer: B
Rationale: Bone scan uses a radioisotope; increase fluids to
excrete it; no NPO; jewelry removed.
6. After a bone scan, the nurse should instruct the client to:
A. Restrict fluids
B. Increase fluids and empty bladder frequently
C. Avoid all activity
D. Stay in bed for 24 hours
Answer: B
Rationale: Fluids help flush the isotope; frequent voiding
reduces bladder radiation.
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7. Which of the following is a sign of a fracture?
A. Crepitus, deformity, pain, and loss of function
B. Warm, dry skin
C. Normal range of motion
D. No swelling
Answer: A
Rationale: Fracture signs: pain, swelling, deformity, crepitus,
loss of function, ecchymosis.
8. A nurse is assessing a client with a possible hip fracture. The
affected leg is likely to be:
A. Shortened and externally rotated
B. Lengthened and internally rotated
C. Normal position
D. Flexed and adducted only
Answer: A
Rationale: Hip fractures often cause shortening and external
rotation of the affected leg.
9. Which of the following is a sign of compartment syndrome?
A. Severe pain unrelieved by medication, pallor, paresthesia,
and pulselessness
B. Mild pain with movement
ATI ADULT MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING – UNIT 9 Musculoskeletal
Disorders 120 Questions with Rationales
SECTION 1: MUSCULOSKELETAL ASSESSMENT & DIAGNOSTICS
(Q1–20)
1. A nurse is assessing a client's muscle strength. The client can
move the arm against gravity but not against resistance. The
nurse should grade this as:
A. 2/5
B. 3/5
C. 4/5
D. 5/5
Answer: B
Rationale: Muscle strength grading: 0=no contraction, 1=twitch,
2=movement without gravity, 3=movement against gravity,
4=movement against some resistance, 5=normal strength.
2. Which of the following is a normal finding when assessing the
musculoskeletal system?
A. Crepitus with joint movement
B. Symmetrical joint movement without pain
C. Unilateral muscle atrophy
D. Fixed joints without range of motion
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Answer: B
Rationale: Symmetrical, pain-free joint movement is normal.
Crepitus, unilateral atrophy, and fixed joints are abnormal.
3. A nurse is assessing a client's range of motion. Moving a limb
away from the midline is called:
A. Adduction
B. Abduction
C. Flexion
D. Extension
Answer: B
Rationale: Abduction is movement away from midline;
adduction is toward midline.
4. Which diagnostic test is used to visualize bone and soft tissue
in detail and is best for detecting fractures, tumors, and joint
abnormalities?
A. X-ray
B. MRI
C. CT scan
D. Bone scan
Answer: B
Rationale: MRI provides detailed images of soft tissue, bone
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marrow, and joints; X-ray is initial for fractures; CT for complex
fractures; bone scan for metastases.
5. A client is scheduled for a bone scan. Which instruction is
appropriate?
A. "You will need to be NPO for 12 hours."
B. "A radioactive isotope will be injected, and you will need to
increase fluids after."
C. "You will not need to remove jewelry."
D. "You can drive yourself home immediately."
Answer: B
Rationale: Bone scan uses a radioisotope; increase fluids to
excrete it; no NPO; jewelry removed.
6. After a bone scan, the nurse should instruct the client to:
A. Restrict fluids
B. Increase fluids and empty bladder frequently
C. Avoid all activity
D. Stay in bed for 24 hours
Answer: B
Rationale: Fluids help flush the isotope; frequent voiding
reduces bladder radiation.
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7. Which of the following is a sign of a fracture?
A. Crepitus, deformity, pain, and loss of function
B. Warm, dry skin
C. Normal range of motion
D. No swelling
Answer: A
Rationale: Fracture signs: pain, swelling, deformity, crepitus,
loss of function, ecchymosis.
8. A nurse is assessing a client with a possible hip fracture. The
affected leg is likely to be:
A. Shortened and externally rotated
B. Lengthened and internally rotated
C. Normal position
D. Flexed and adducted only
Answer: A
Rationale: Hip fractures often cause shortening and external
rotation of the affected leg.
9. Which of the following is a sign of compartment syndrome?
A. Severe pain unrelieved by medication, pallor, paresthesia,
and pulselessness
B. Mild pain with movement
