DUNPHY FINAL CLINICAL NURS 671
2026 STUDY GUIDE
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS
ANSWERS VERIFIED A+
◉ You have detected the presence of crepitus on exam of a pt with a
musculskeletal complaint. Additionally, there is limited ROM w/both
active and passive movement. These findings suggest that the origin of
the musculoskeletal complaint is:
Answer: Articular
◉ Which of the following signs or symptoms indicate an inflammatory
etiology to musculoskeletal pain?
a. Decreased CRP
b. Hyperalbuminemia
c. Morning stiffness
d. Weight gain
Answer: c. Morning stiffness
◉ Which of the following statements concerning the musculoskeletal
exam is true?
a. The uninvolved side should be examined initially and then compared
to the involved side.
,b. The part of the body that is causing the pain should be examined first.
c. When possible, the pt should not be asked to perform active ROM
exercises to avoid causing pain.
d. Radiographs should always be obtained prior to examination so as not
to cause further injury to the pt.
Answer: a. The uninvolved side should be examined initially and then
compared to the involved side.
◉ You are performing muscle strength testing on a pt presenting
w/musculoskeletal pain and find that the pt has complete ROM
w/gravity eliminated. Which numeric grade of muscle strength would
you give this pt, 1-5?
Answer: 2
◉ Mrs. Gray is a 55yo woman who presents with tightness, pain, and
limited movement in her right shoulder. She denies any h/o trauma. Her
exam reveals a 75% reduction in both active and passive ROM of the
right shoulder. Mrs. Gray also is experiencing tenderness with motion
and pain at the deltoid insertion. Her medical hx is significant for type 1
diabetes mellitus and HTN. Her social hx reveals that she is a secretary
and that she is right-handed. Based on her examination and medical hx,
you suspect adhesive capsulitis, or "frozen shoulder." Which clue in
Mrs. Gray's hx supports this dx?
Answer: Her h/o diabetes
◉ Jennifer is an 18yo who comes to the ER after a fall during a soccer
game. Jennifer explains that she fell on her left side and kept her arm out
straight to break her fall. She has been experiencing severe pain and
,limited ROM in her left shoulder. The clinician has diagnosed Jennifer
with a dislocated shoulder. Which of the following statements are true
concerning shoulder dislocation?
a. Posterior dislocations are more common than anterior dislocations
b. There is a risk of neurovascular and neurosensory trauma, so the
clinician should check for distal pulses
c. Recurrent dislocations are uncommon and would require great force to
result in injury.
d. Surgery is most commonly the treatment of choice
Answer: b. There is a risk of neurovascular and neurosensory trauma, so
the clinician should check for distal pulses
◉ Mrs. Anderson is a 35yo woman who has been recently diagnosed
with carpal tunnel syndrome. She has 2 young children and asks the
clinician what the chances are that they also will develop carpal tunnel
syndrome. Which of the following responses would be correct regarding
the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome?
a. Carpal tunnel syndrome commonly occurs in families. Genetic factors
are thought to account for about one-half the risk of developing carpal
tunnel.
b. Only people w/occupations that require repeated flexion extension of
the wrist, use of hand tools that require forceful gripping, or use of hand
tools that vibrate are at risk for developing carpal tunnel.
c. An underlying musculoskeletal disorder must be present for a person
to develop carpal tunnel.
, d. Carpal tunnel syndrome only occurs in the presence of a hormonal
imbalance.
Answer: a. Carpal tunnel syndrome commonly occurs in families.
Genetic factors are thought to account for about one-half the risk of
developing carpal tunnel.
◉ Which of the following statements is true regarding the treatment of
carpal tunnel syndrome?
a. The goal of treatment is to prevent flexion and extension movements
of the wrist.
b. Splints are used in carpal tunnel syndrome, because they allow for
free movement of the fingers and thumb while maintaining the wrist in a
neutral position.
c. Corticosteroid injections are discouraged in the treatment of carpal
tunnel syndrome because of the risks for median nerve damage, scarring,
and infection.
d. All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above
◉ Sam is a 25yo who has been diagnosed with low back strain based on
his h/o localized low back pain and muscle spasm along with a normal
neurological examination. As the clinician, you explain to Sam that low
back pain is a diagnosis of exclusion. Which of the following symptoms
would alert the clinician to the more serious finding of a herniated
nucleus pulposus or ruptured disc?
2026 STUDY GUIDE
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS
ANSWERS VERIFIED A+
◉ You have detected the presence of crepitus on exam of a pt with a
musculskeletal complaint. Additionally, there is limited ROM w/both
active and passive movement. These findings suggest that the origin of
the musculoskeletal complaint is:
Answer: Articular
◉ Which of the following signs or symptoms indicate an inflammatory
etiology to musculoskeletal pain?
a. Decreased CRP
b. Hyperalbuminemia
c. Morning stiffness
d. Weight gain
Answer: c. Morning stiffness
◉ Which of the following statements concerning the musculoskeletal
exam is true?
a. The uninvolved side should be examined initially and then compared
to the involved side.
,b. The part of the body that is causing the pain should be examined first.
c. When possible, the pt should not be asked to perform active ROM
exercises to avoid causing pain.
d. Radiographs should always be obtained prior to examination so as not
to cause further injury to the pt.
Answer: a. The uninvolved side should be examined initially and then
compared to the involved side.
◉ You are performing muscle strength testing on a pt presenting
w/musculoskeletal pain and find that the pt has complete ROM
w/gravity eliminated. Which numeric grade of muscle strength would
you give this pt, 1-5?
Answer: 2
◉ Mrs. Gray is a 55yo woman who presents with tightness, pain, and
limited movement in her right shoulder. She denies any h/o trauma. Her
exam reveals a 75% reduction in both active and passive ROM of the
right shoulder. Mrs. Gray also is experiencing tenderness with motion
and pain at the deltoid insertion. Her medical hx is significant for type 1
diabetes mellitus and HTN. Her social hx reveals that she is a secretary
and that she is right-handed. Based on her examination and medical hx,
you suspect adhesive capsulitis, or "frozen shoulder." Which clue in
Mrs. Gray's hx supports this dx?
Answer: Her h/o diabetes
◉ Jennifer is an 18yo who comes to the ER after a fall during a soccer
game. Jennifer explains that she fell on her left side and kept her arm out
straight to break her fall. She has been experiencing severe pain and
,limited ROM in her left shoulder. The clinician has diagnosed Jennifer
with a dislocated shoulder. Which of the following statements are true
concerning shoulder dislocation?
a. Posterior dislocations are more common than anterior dislocations
b. There is a risk of neurovascular and neurosensory trauma, so the
clinician should check for distal pulses
c. Recurrent dislocations are uncommon and would require great force to
result in injury.
d. Surgery is most commonly the treatment of choice
Answer: b. There is a risk of neurovascular and neurosensory trauma, so
the clinician should check for distal pulses
◉ Mrs. Anderson is a 35yo woman who has been recently diagnosed
with carpal tunnel syndrome. She has 2 young children and asks the
clinician what the chances are that they also will develop carpal tunnel
syndrome. Which of the following responses would be correct regarding
the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome?
a. Carpal tunnel syndrome commonly occurs in families. Genetic factors
are thought to account for about one-half the risk of developing carpal
tunnel.
b. Only people w/occupations that require repeated flexion extension of
the wrist, use of hand tools that require forceful gripping, or use of hand
tools that vibrate are at risk for developing carpal tunnel.
c. An underlying musculoskeletal disorder must be present for a person
to develop carpal tunnel.
, d. Carpal tunnel syndrome only occurs in the presence of a hormonal
imbalance.
Answer: a. Carpal tunnel syndrome commonly occurs in families.
Genetic factors are thought to account for about one-half the risk of
developing carpal tunnel.
◉ Which of the following statements is true regarding the treatment of
carpal tunnel syndrome?
a. The goal of treatment is to prevent flexion and extension movements
of the wrist.
b. Splints are used in carpal tunnel syndrome, because they allow for
free movement of the fingers and thumb while maintaining the wrist in a
neutral position.
c. Corticosteroid injections are discouraged in the treatment of carpal
tunnel syndrome because of the risks for median nerve damage, scarring,
and infection.
d. All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above
◉ Sam is a 25yo who has been diagnosed with low back strain based on
his h/o localized low back pain and muscle spasm along with a normal
neurological examination. As the clinician, you explain to Sam that low
back pain is a diagnosis of exclusion. Which of the following symptoms
would alert the clinician to the more serious finding of a herniated
nucleus pulposus or ruptured disc?
