ONC Orthopaedic Trauma/Sports
Injuries Practice Exam Questions
with100% Correct answers
Quiz A 48-year-old athlete sustains a ruptured Achilles tendon during triathlon training. In discussing the
personal and medical history with the patient, the nurse should recognize which of the following as a
risk factor for this injury?
a. Long distance swimming exercises
b. Ongoing treatment for gout
c. Attending a weekly spinning class
d. Antihistamine use for seasonal allergies
ANS: b. Ongoing treatment for gout
Rationale: Risk factors associated with Achilles tendon rupture include prior history of Achilles
tendonitis, previous local cortisone injections, systemic inflammatory arthritis (gout or rheumatoid
arthritis), and use of fluoroquinolone antibiotics.
Reference: Core Curriculum for Orthopaedic Nursing (7th ed.), 2013, p. 591
Quiz A patient with a ruptured Achilles tendon has undergone surgical repair and will require 6 weeks of
cast immobilization. As part of the patient's discharge plan, it is MOST important for the nurse to assess
the patient's ability to
,a. check pedal pulse daily.
b. demonstrate plantar flexion technique.
c. ambulate with an assistive device.
d. perform the Thompson's test.
ANS: c. ambulate with an assistive device.
Rationale: Patient discharge education following Achilles tendon repair should focus on safe, non-
weight-bearing ambulation with an assistive device. Casting will immobilize the foot, preventing pedal
pulse assessment or plantar flexion. Thompson's test is a diagnostic assessment for tendon rupture.
Reference: Core Curriculum for Orthopaedic Nursing (7th ed.), 2013, p. 592
Quiz A healthy 47-year-old injured the right knee while skiing. A moderate partial tear of the anterior
cruciate ligament (ACL) is confirmed with MRI. The patient has opted for non- surgical treatment. Which
of the following should the nurse recognize as an appropriate intervention to manage the injury?
a. Bracing and CT scan to evaluate for stress fracture
b. Prescription for pregabalin (Lyrica) and rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
c. Knee aspiration and prescription for diclofenac (Voltaren)
d. Doppler ultrasound of lower leg and enoxaparin (Lovenox)
ANS: c. Knee aspiration and prescription for diclofenac (Voltaren)
Rationale: Conservative treatment of moderate (Grade II) ACL injury includes aspiration, immobilization,
cryotherapy, and NSAID treatment. Use of anticoagulants is contraindicated due to bleeding associated
with the ACL injury.
Reference: Core Curriculum for Orthopaedic Nursing (7th ed.), 2013, p. 581
, Quiz A softball pitcher underwent surgical repair of the right anterior cruciate ligament 3 days ago and is
now being seen in the surgeon's office. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as
suspicious of infection?
a. Swelling and warmth in the lateral knee
b. Loss of appetite, constipation, and drowsiness
c. Serosanguinous drainage after exercise
d. Increased pain, new drainage, and low grade fever
ANS: d. Increased pain, new drainage, and low grade fever
Rationale: Signs and symptoms of surgical site infection include increased pain, drainage, and fever.
Slight drainage, local warmth, and some discharge are not unexpected during the early postoperative
course.
Reference: Core Curriculum for Orthopaedic Nursing (7th ed.), 2013, p. 585
Quiz An ice skater sustains a first-degree ankle sprain. Which of the following treatments should the
nurse expect to be included in the patient's plan of care?
a. Pneumatic compression boot
b. Short leg fiberglass cast
c. Elastic bandage and crutches
d. Warm compresses and massage therapy
ANS: c. Elastic bandage and crutches
Injuries Practice Exam Questions
with100% Correct answers
Quiz A 48-year-old athlete sustains a ruptured Achilles tendon during triathlon training. In discussing the
personal and medical history with the patient, the nurse should recognize which of the following as a
risk factor for this injury?
a. Long distance swimming exercises
b. Ongoing treatment for gout
c. Attending a weekly spinning class
d. Antihistamine use for seasonal allergies
ANS: b. Ongoing treatment for gout
Rationale: Risk factors associated with Achilles tendon rupture include prior history of Achilles
tendonitis, previous local cortisone injections, systemic inflammatory arthritis (gout or rheumatoid
arthritis), and use of fluoroquinolone antibiotics.
Reference: Core Curriculum for Orthopaedic Nursing (7th ed.), 2013, p. 591
Quiz A patient with a ruptured Achilles tendon has undergone surgical repair and will require 6 weeks of
cast immobilization. As part of the patient's discharge plan, it is MOST important for the nurse to assess
the patient's ability to
,a. check pedal pulse daily.
b. demonstrate plantar flexion technique.
c. ambulate with an assistive device.
d. perform the Thompson's test.
ANS: c. ambulate with an assistive device.
Rationale: Patient discharge education following Achilles tendon repair should focus on safe, non-
weight-bearing ambulation with an assistive device. Casting will immobilize the foot, preventing pedal
pulse assessment or plantar flexion. Thompson's test is a diagnostic assessment for tendon rupture.
Reference: Core Curriculum for Orthopaedic Nursing (7th ed.), 2013, p. 592
Quiz A healthy 47-year-old injured the right knee while skiing. A moderate partial tear of the anterior
cruciate ligament (ACL) is confirmed with MRI. The patient has opted for non- surgical treatment. Which
of the following should the nurse recognize as an appropriate intervention to manage the injury?
a. Bracing and CT scan to evaluate for stress fracture
b. Prescription for pregabalin (Lyrica) and rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
c. Knee aspiration and prescription for diclofenac (Voltaren)
d. Doppler ultrasound of lower leg and enoxaparin (Lovenox)
ANS: c. Knee aspiration and prescription for diclofenac (Voltaren)
Rationale: Conservative treatment of moderate (Grade II) ACL injury includes aspiration, immobilization,
cryotherapy, and NSAID treatment. Use of anticoagulants is contraindicated due to bleeding associated
with the ACL injury.
Reference: Core Curriculum for Orthopaedic Nursing (7th ed.), 2013, p. 581
, Quiz A softball pitcher underwent surgical repair of the right anterior cruciate ligament 3 days ago and is
now being seen in the surgeon's office. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as
suspicious of infection?
a. Swelling and warmth in the lateral knee
b. Loss of appetite, constipation, and drowsiness
c. Serosanguinous drainage after exercise
d. Increased pain, new drainage, and low grade fever
ANS: d. Increased pain, new drainage, and low grade fever
Rationale: Signs and symptoms of surgical site infection include increased pain, drainage, and fever.
Slight drainage, local warmth, and some discharge are not unexpected during the early postoperative
course.
Reference: Core Curriculum for Orthopaedic Nursing (7th ed.), 2013, p. 585
Quiz An ice skater sustains a first-degree ankle sprain. Which of the following treatments should the
nurse expect to be included in the patient's plan of care?
a. Pneumatic compression boot
b. Short leg fiberglass cast
c. Elastic bandage and crutches
d. Warm compresses and massage therapy
ANS: c. Elastic bandage and crutches
