MUSCULOSKELETAL EXAM WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+100% CORRECT
ANSWERS, 2025 LAT, EXAM
The nurse is caring for a patient with a fractured left leg. Which of the following findings
during a neurovascular assessment of the lower extremities would the nurse recognize as a
priority to report to the HCP?
Pallor of the left leg
A patient is scheduled for MRI of the pelvis. Which of the following actions would the nurse
take if during data collection it was revealed that the patient had had a previous surgery for
heart problems?
Aks if there is any metal in the patient's body
The nurse is caring for a patient who has undergone a right knee arthroscopy. Two hours after
the procedure, the patient's right pedal pulse is diminished compared with the previous
assessment. What action should the nurse take?
Notify the surgeon
The nurse is caring for a patient who is undergoing an arthroscopy of the knee with ligament
repair. Which of the following would be included in nursing preoperative care for the patient
the morning of surgery?
Provide toast and clear juice 6 hours before surgery
Provide clear liquids up to 2 hours before surgery
Reinforce how to perform coughing and deep-breathing exercises
The nurse is caring for a patient being transferred into bed who has just had a plaster long-leg
cast applied. The patient reports pain of 6 on a scale of 0 to 10. Place the nursing
interventions in order of priority.
Palm cast as positioned upon pillow
Expose cast to air dry
Check circulation, sensory, and mobility status
Obtain vital signs
Administer ordered analgesic
The nurse is caring for a patient with an external fixation device. Which of the following
actions should the nurse implement?
Follow agency protocol for pin care
monitor pin sites at least daily
, Use strict aseptic technique for pin care
avoid touching the pins
The nurse is caring for a patient with an open fracture. Which of the following actions are
essential for the nurse to perform to help prevent osteomyelitis?
Perform hand hygiene before dressing change
Use aseptic technique
Wear sterile gloves to apply new dressing
The nurse is caring for a patient who is 72 years old, postmenopausal, has osteoporosis, lost 2
inches of height, is thin, and has never exercised regularly. Which of these interventions
should be included in the plan of care to prevent further bone loss?
Avoid smoking
Encourage muscle strengthening exercise
Encourage vitamin D 800IU daily
The nurse is caring for a male patient with gout. Which of the following lab values would be a
priority for the nurse to report to the physician?
Uric acid 10.2mg/dL
A patient with osteoarthritis who had a right total knee replacement tells the nurse that the
other knee is becoming painful. Which of the following is the most appropriate instruction to
help the patient preserve function of the left knee?
Maintain ideal body weight
A patient is scheduled for a right total hip replacement. The nurse should teach which of the
following postoperative leg positions?
Maintain legs in abduction
The nurse is caring for a patient immediately after a bka. Which data collection should the
nurse consider a priority?
Stump dressings
The nurse is collecting data on a patient with a left tibia fracture. Which of the following
findings is a priority finding?
Absent left pedal pulse
A patient who has a 36 hour old fractured femur had morphine 5mg IM 1 hour ago and is now
reporting severe unrelieved pain. Which nursing action is most appropriate?
ANSWERS, 2025 LAT, EXAM
The nurse is caring for a patient with a fractured left leg. Which of the following findings
during a neurovascular assessment of the lower extremities would the nurse recognize as a
priority to report to the HCP?
Pallor of the left leg
A patient is scheduled for MRI of the pelvis. Which of the following actions would the nurse
take if during data collection it was revealed that the patient had had a previous surgery for
heart problems?
Aks if there is any metal in the patient's body
The nurse is caring for a patient who has undergone a right knee arthroscopy. Two hours after
the procedure, the patient's right pedal pulse is diminished compared with the previous
assessment. What action should the nurse take?
Notify the surgeon
The nurse is caring for a patient who is undergoing an arthroscopy of the knee with ligament
repair. Which of the following would be included in nursing preoperative care for the patient
the morning of surgery?
Provide toast and clear juice 6 hours before surgery
Provide clear liquids up to 2 hours before surgery
Reinforce how to perform coughing and deep-breathing exercises
The nurse is caring for a patient being transferred into bed who has just had a plaster long-leg
cast applied. The patient reports pain of 6 on a scale of 0 to 10. Place the nursing
interventions in order of priority.
Palm cast as positioned upon pillow
Expose cast to air dry
Check circulation, sensory, and mobility status
Obtain vital signs
Administer ordered analgesic
The nurse is caring for a patient with an external fixation device. Which of the following
actions should the nurse implement?
Follow agency protocol for pin care
monitor pin sites at least daily
, Use strict aseptic technique for pin care
avoid touching the pins
The nurse is caring for a patient with an open fracture. Which of the following actions are
essential for the nurse to perform to help prevent osteomyelitis?
Perform hand hygiene before dressing change
Use aseptic technique
Wear sterile gloves to apply new dressing
The nurse is caring for a patient who is 72 years old, postmenopausal, has osteoporosis, lost 2
inches of height, is thin, and has never exercised regularly. Which of these interventions
should be included in the plan of care to prevent further bone loss?
Avoid smoking
Encourage muscle strengthening exercise
Encourage vitamin D 800IU daily
The nurse is caring for a male patient with gout. Which of the following lab values would be a
priority for the nurse to report to the physician?
Uric acid 10.2mg/dL
A patient with osteoarthritis who had a right total knee replacement tells the nurse that the
other knee is becoming painful. Which of the following is the most appropriate instruction to
help the patient preserve function of the left knee?
Maintain ideal body weight
A patient is scheduled for a right total hip replacement. The nurse should teach which of the
following postoperative leg positions?
Maintain legs in abduction
The nurse is caring for a patient immediately after a bka. Which data collection should the
nurse consider a priority?
Stump dressings
The nurse is collecting data on a patient with a left tibia fracture. Which of the following
findings is a priority finding?
Absent left pedal pulse
A patient who has a 36 hour old fractured femur had morphine 5mg IM 1 hour ago and is now
reporting severe unrelieved pain. Which nursing action is most appropriate?
