NCOI Exam 5 Questions with Verified Answers (Correct Update)
Question 1: The patient brought to the emergency department after a car accident is diagnosed
with a femur fracture. What nursing intervention should the nurse implement at this time to
decrease risk of a fat embolus?
Answer: Immobilize the fracture preoperatively
Question 2: A patient presents to the clinical after tripping on a curb and spraining the right
ankle. Which initial care measures are appropriate?
Answer: Administer antiinflammatory medication. Compress ankle using an elastic bandage. Rest and
elevate the ankle above the heart
Question 3: A patient underwent amputation below the knee on the left leg after a traumatic
accident. Which intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care?
Answer: Lie prone with hip extended for 30 minutes 4 times per day
Question 4: The nurse is caring for a patient who had a left total knee arthroplasty to relieve the
pain of severe osteoarthritis. What care would be expected postoperatively?
Answer: Progressive leg exercises to obtain 90-degree flexion
Question 5: The nurse is caring for a patient with osteoarthritis scheduled for total left knee
arthroplasty. Preoperatively, the nurse assesses for which contraindication to surgery?
Answer: Left knee infection
Question 6: The patient with frostbite on the distal toes of both feet is scheduled for amputation
of the damaged tissue. Which assessment finding or diagnostic study is most objective in
determining tissue viability?
Answer: Arteriogram showing blood vessels
Question 7: The nurse determines that an older adult patient recovering from left total knee
arthroplasty has impaired physical mobility from decreased muscle strength. What nursing
intervention is appropriate?
Answer: Encourage isometric quadriceps-setting exercises at least 4 times a day
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, Question 8: The nurse completes an admission history for a 73-yrold man with osteoarthritis
scheduled for total knee arthroplasty. Which response is expected when asking the patient the
reason for admission?
Answer: Debilitating joint pain
Question 9: The nurse is completing discharge teaching with a patient who is recovering from a
right total hip arthroplasty by posterior approach. Which patient action indicates further
instruction is needed?
Answer: Maintains hip in adduction and internal rotation
Question 10: The nurse is caring for a patient placed in Buck’s traction before open reduction
and internal fixation of a left hip fracture. Which care can be delegated to the LPN/VN?
Answer: Monitor pain intensity and administer prescribed analgesics
Question 11: A 21-yr-old soccer player has injured the anterior crucial ligament (ACL) and is
having reconstructive surgery. Which patient statement indicates more teaching is required?
Answer: "I can't wait to get this done now so I can play in the soccer tournament next month."
Question 12: A patient has a plaster cast applied to the right arm for a Colles’ fracture. Which
nursing action is most appropriate?
Answer: Elevate the right arm on 2 pillows for 24 hours
Question 13: A patient with a fracture of the proximal left tibia in a long leg cast reports of
severe pain and a prickling sensation in the left foot. The toes on the left foot are pale and cool.
Which nursing action is a priority?
Answer: Notify the health care provider immediately
Question 14: A nurse performs discharge teaching for a patient after a left hip arthroplasty
using the posterior approach. Which statement indicates teaching is successful?
Answer: Leg-raising exercises are necessary for several months
Question 15: The home care nurse visits a 74-yr-old man diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease
who fell while walking this morning. What observation is of most concern to the nurse?
Answer: Left leg externally rotated and shorter than the right leg
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Question 1: The patient brought to the emergency department after a car accident is diagnosed
with a femur fracture. What nursing intervention should the nurse implement at this time to
decrease risk of a fat embolus?
Answer: Immobilize the fracture preoperatively
Question 2: A patient presents to the clinical after tripping on a curb and spraining the right
ankle. Which initial care measures are appropriate?
Answer: Administer antiinflammatory medication. Compress ankle using an elastic bandage. Rest and
elevate the ankle above the heart
Question 3: A patient underwent amputation below the knee on the left leg after a traumatic
accident. Which intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care?
Answer: Lie prone with hip extended for 30 minutes 4 times per day
Question 4: The nurse is caring for a patient who had a left total knee arthroplasty to relieve the
pain of severe osteoarthritis. What care would be expected postoperatively?
Answer: Progressive leg exercises to obtain 90-degree flexion
Question 5: The nurse is caring for a patient with osteoarthritis scheduled for total left knee
arthroplasty. Preoperatively, the nurse assesses for which contraindication to surgery?
Answer: Left knee infection
Question 6: The patient with frostbite on the distal toes of both feet is scheduled for amputation
of the damaged tissue. Which assessment finding or diagnostic study is most objective in
determining tissue viability?
Answer: Arteriogram showing blood vessels
Question 7: The nurse determines that an older adult patient recovering from left total knee
arthroplasty has impaired physical mobility from decreased muscle strength. What nursing
intervention is appropriate?
Answer: Encourage isometric quadriceps-setting exercises at least 4 times a day
Page 1
, Question 8: The nurse completes an admission history for a 73-yrold man with osteoarthritis
scheduled for total knee arthroplasty. Which response is expected when asking the patient the
reason for admission?
Answer: Debilitating joint pain
Question 9: The nurse is completing discharge teaching with a patient who is recovering from a
right total hip arthroplasty by posterior approach. Which patient action indicates further
instruction is needed?
Answer: Maintains hip in adduction and internal rotation
Question 10: The nurse is caring for a patient placed in Buck’s traction before open reduction
and internal fixation of a left hip fracture. Which care can be delegated to the LPN/VN?
Answer: Monitor pain intensity and administer prescribed analgesics
Question 11: A 21-yr-old soccer player has injured the anterior crucial ligament (ACL) and is
having reconstructive surgery. Which patient statement indicates more teaching is required?
Answer: "I can't wait to get this done now so I can play in the soccer tournament next month."
Question 12: A patient has a plaster cast applied to the right arm for a Colles’ fracture. Which
nursing action is most appropriate?
Answer: Elevate the right arm on 2 pillows for 24 hours
Question 13: A patient with a fracture of the proximal left tibia in a long leg cast reports of
severe pain and a prickling sensation in the left foot. The toes on the left foot are pale and cool.
Which nursing action is a priority?
Answer: Notify the health care provider immediately
Question 14: A nurse performs discharge teaching for a patient after a left hip arthroplasty
using the posterior approach. Which statement indicates teaching is successful?
Answer: Leg-raising exercises are necessary for several months
Question 15: The home care nurse visits a 74-yr-old man diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease
who fell while walking this morning. What observation is of most concern to the nurse?
Answer: Left leg externally rotated and shorter than the right leg
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