PrepU's Ch 36: Management of Patients with Musculoskeletal Disorders

During a routine physical examination on an older female client, a nurse notes that the client is 5 feet, 3/8 inches (1.6 m) tall. The client states, "How is that possible? I was always 5 feet and 1/2? (1.7 m) tall." Which statement is the best response by the nurse?

"After menopause, the body's bone density declines, resulting in a gradual loss of height." The nurse should tell the client that after menopause, the loss of estrogen leads to a loss in bone density, resulting in a loss of height. This client's history doesn't indicate spinal compression. Telling the client that measuring tools used to obtain the client's height may have a discrepancy or that the posture begins to stoop after middle age doesn't address the client's questio

A nurse is planning discharge instructions for the client with osteomyelitis. What instructions should the nurse include in the discharge teaching?

"You will receive IV antibiotics for 3 to 6 weeks." Treatment of osteomyelitis requires IV antibiotics for 3 to 6 weeks.

Health education for a woman over age 50 includes providing information about the importance of adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D to prevent osteoporosis. Select the daily dosage of calcium and vitamin D that the nurse should recommend.

1,200 mg; 1,000 IU The daily recommended dosage is 1,200 mg of calcium and 1,000 IU of vitamin D.

A client is admitted with acute osteomyelitis that developed after an open fracture of the right femur. When planning this client's care, the nurse should anticipate which measure?

Administering large doses of I.V. antibiotics as ordered Treatment of acute osteomyelitis includes large doses of I.V. antibiotics (after blood cultures identify the infecting organism). Surgical drainage may be indicated, and the affected bone is immobilized. The client usually requires I.V. fluids to maintain hydration, but oral intake isn't necessarily prohibited.

Which medication directly inhibits osteoclasts, thereby reducing bone loss and increasing bone mass density (BMD)?

Calcitonin Calcitonin directly inhibits osteoclasts, thereby reducing bone loss and increased BMD. Raloxifene reduces the risk of osteoporosis by preserving BMD without estrogenic effects on the uterus. Teriparatide has been recently approved by the FDA for the treatment of osteoporosis. Vitamin D increases the absorption of calcium.

Which of the following inhibits bone resorption and promotes bone formation?

Calcitonin Calcitonin, which inhibits bone resorption and promotes bone formation, is decreased in osteoporosis. Estrogen, which inhibits bone breakdown, decreases with aging. On the other hand, parathyroid hormone (PTH) increases with aging, increasing bone turnover and resorption. The consequence of these changes is net loss of bone mass over time. Corticosteroids place patients as risk for developing osteoporosis.

A home care nurse assesses for disease complications in a client with bone cancer. Which laboratory value may indicate the presence of a disease complication?

Calcium level of 11.6 mg/dl In clients with bone cancer, tumor destruction of bone commonly causes excessive calcium release. When the calcium-excreting capacity of the kidneys and GI tract is exceeded, the serum calcium level rises above normal, leading to hypercalcemia (a serum calcium level greater than 10.2 mg/dl). Hyperkalemia (a potassium level greater than 5 mEq/L) isn't caused by bone cancer and is seldom associated with chemotherapy. Hyponatremia (a sodium level less than 135 mEq/L) and hypomagnesemia (a magnesium level less than 1.3 mg/dl) are potential adverse effects of chemotherapy; these electrolyte disturbances don't result directly from bone cancer.

While the nurse is performing a physical assessment, the client reports numbness, tingling, and pain when the nurse percusses lightly over the median nerve. What should this assessment indicate to the nurse?

Carpal tunnel syndrome Tinel's sign (numbness, tingling, and pain in response to light percussion over the median nerve) is a positive finding for carpal tunnel syndrome. Morton's neuroma is assessed as a painful condition that affects the ball of the foot. Dupuytren's contracture is when knots of tissue beneath the skin cause one or more fingers stay bent toward the palm. Impingement syndrome is a shoulder condition.

Which group is at the greatest risk for osteoporosis?

European American women Small-framed, nonobese European American women are at greatest risk for osteoporosis. Asian American women of slight build are at risk for low peak bone mineral density. African American women, who have a greater bone mass than European American women and Asian American Women, are less susceptible to osteoporosis. Men have a greater peak bone mass and do not experience sudden estrogen reduction.

A client with carpal tunnel syndrome has had limited improvement with the use of a wrist splint. The nurse knows that which procedure will show the greatest improvement in treatment for this client?

Open nerve release Evidence-based treatment of acute carpal tunnel syndrome includes the application of splints to prevent hyperextension and prolonged flexion of the wrist. Should this treatment fail, open nerve release is a common surgical management option. A variety of treatments may be tried by the client, however, they may fail to improve the condition. These treatments include laser therapy, ultrasound therapy, and the injection of substances such as lidocaine. Though these can be used, surgery to release nerves is the best option.

Which of the following is the most common and most fatal primary malignant bone tumor?

Osteogenic sarcoma (osteosarcoma) Osteogenic sarcoma (osteosarcoma) is the most common and most often fatal primary malignant bone tumor. Benign primary neoplasms of the musculoskeletal system include osteochondroma, enchondroma, and rhabdomyoma.

A nurse is caring for a client following foot surgery. Which nursing intervention is most important for the nurse to include in the nursing care plan?

Perform neuromuscular assessment every hour. The priority nursing intervention is to perform a neuromuscular assessment every hour. Early detection of neurological and perfusion problems is critical.

Which of the following presents with an onset of heel pain with the first steps of the morning?

Plantar fasciitis Plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the foot-supporting fascia, present as an acute onset of heal pain experienced with the first steps in the morning. Hallux valgus (commonly called a bunion) is a deformity in which the great toe deviates laterally. Morton's neuroma is a swelling of the third (lateral) branch of the median plantar nerve. A ganglion, a collection of gelatinous material near the tendon sheaths and joints, appears as a round, firm compressible cystic swelling, usually on the dorsum of the wrist.

Which term refers to a disease of a nerve root?

Radiculopathy When the client reports radiating pain down the leg, the client is describing radiculopathy. Involucrum refers to new bone growth around the sequestrum. Sequestrum refers to dead bone in an abscess cavity. Contracture refers to abnormal shortening of muscle or fibrosis of joint structures.

A client with osteoporosis is prescribed a selective estrogen receptor modifier (SERM) as treatment. The nurse would identify which drug as belonging to this class?

Raloxifene (Evista) An example of a selective estrogen receptor modifier (SERM) is raloxifene (Evista). Alendronate is a bisphosphonate; calcium gluconate is an oral calcium preparation; tamoxifen is an antiestrogen agent.

A client has Paget's disease. An appropriate nursing diagnosis for this client is:

Risk for falls The client with Paget's disease is at risk for falls secondary to pathological fractures and impaired gait/mobility.

On a visit to the family health care provider, a client is diagnosed with a bunion on the lateral side of the great toe at the metatarsophalangeal joint. Which statement should the nurse include in the teaching session?

Some bunions are congenital; others are caused by wearing shoes that are too short or narrow. Bunions may be congenital or may be acquired by wearing shoes that are too short or narrow, which increases pressure on the bursa at the metatarsophalangeal joint. Acquired bunions can be prevented. Wearing shoes that are too big may cause other types of foot trauma but not bunions. Gout doesn't cause bunions. Although a client with gout may have pain in the big toe, such pain doesn't result from a bunion.

Most cases of osteomyelitis are caused by which microorganism?

Staphylococcus aureus Staphylococcus aureus causes 70% to 80% of bone infections. Proteus species, Pseudomonas species, and E. coli are frequently found in osteomyelitis, they do not cause the majority of bone infections.

In chronic osteomyelitis, antibiotics are adjunctive therapy in which situation?

Surgical debridement In chronic osteomyelitis, antibiotics are adjunctive therapy to surgical debridement.

A client with chronic osteomyelitis has undergone 6 weeks of antibiotic therapy. The wound appearance has not improved. What action would the nurse anticipate to promote healing

Surgical debridement In chronic osteomyelitis, surgical debridement is used when the wound fails to respond to antibiotic therapy. Wound packing, vitamin supplements, and wound irrigation are not the standard of care when treating chronic osteomyelitis.

Morton neuroma is exhibited by which clinical manifestation?

Swelling of the third (lateral) branch of the median plantar nerve Morton neuroma is swelling of the third branch of the median plantar nerve. Pes cavus refers to a foot with an abnormally high arch and a fixed equinus deformity of the forefoot. Flatfoot is a common disorder in which the longitudinal arch of the foot is diminished. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the foot-supporting fascia.

A client has been treated for migraine headaches for several months and comes to the clinic reporting no improvement. The nurse is talking with the client and hears an audible click when the client is moving the jaw. What does the nurse suspect may be happening?

Temporomandibular disorder The disorder can be confused with trigeminal neuralgia and migraine headaches. The client experiences clicking of the jaw when moving the joint, or the jaw can lock, which interferes with opening the mouth. Loose teeth will not cause a clicking of the jaw. The client does not have a dislocated jaw.

A client with low back pain is being seen in the clinic. In planning care, which teaching point should the nurse include?

Use the large muscles of the leg when lifting items.

A nurse is planning discharge teaching regarding exercise for a client at risk for osteoporosis. Which exercise would the nurse be most likely to suggest?

Walking Weight-bearing exercises should be incorporated into the client's lifestyle activities. Walking is a low-impact method of weight-bearing exercise and would be the most universal or most likely form of exercise for the nurse to recommend. Bicycling, and swimming are not weight-bearing exercise and will not increase bone density. Yoga may or may not be weight-bearing exercise depending on the yoga poses being performed; it is not as likely as walking to be recommended by the nurse.

The nurse is assisting a client with removing shoes prior to an examination and observes that the client has a flexion deformity of several toes on both feet of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints. What can the nurse encourage the client to do?

Wear properly fitting shoes. Hammer toe is a flexion deformity of the PIP joint and may involve several toes and may result from wearing poorly fitting shoes. They will not straighten by binding the toes or doing active range of motion exercises. Surgery is an option but should be discussed with an orthopedic surgeon or podiatrist.

Which common problem of the upper extremity results from entrapment of the median nerve at the wrist?

carpal tunnel syndrome Carpal tunnel syndrome is commonly due to repetitive hand activities. A ganglion is a collection of gelatinous material near the tendon sheaths and joints that appears as a round, firm, cystic swelling, usually on the dorsum of the wrist. Dupuytren's contracture is a slowly progressive contracture of the palmar fascia. Impingement syndrome is associated with the shoulder and may progress to a rotator cuff tear.

In which deformity does the great toe deviate laterally?

hallux valgus Hallux valgus is a deformity in which the great toe deviates laterally. A hammertoe is a flexion deformity of the interphalangeal joint, which may involve several toes. Pes cavus refers to a foot with an abnormally high arch and a fixed equines deformity of the forefoot. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the foot-supporting fascia.

The nurse is educating a client with low back pain on proper lifting techniques. The nurse recognizes that the education was effective when the client

places the load close to the body Instructions for the client with low back pain should include that, when lifting, the client should avoid overreaching. The client should also keep the load close to the body, bend the knees, and tighten the abdominal muscles; use a wide base of support; and use a back brace to protect the back. Bending at the hips increases the strain on the back muscles when lifting.

The nurse teaches the client with a high risk for osteoporosis about risk-lowering strategies, including which action?

• Walk or perform weight-bearing exercises Risk-lowering strategies for osteoporosis include walking or exercising outdoors, performing a regular weight-bearing exercise regimen, increasing dietary calcium and vitamin D intake, quitting smoking, and consuming alcohol and caffeine in moderation.

A nurse is teaching a client who was recently diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome. Which statement should the nurse include?

"Ergonomic changes can be incorporated into your workday to reduce stress on your wrist." Ergonomic changes, such as adjusting keyboard height, can help clients with carpal tunnel syndrome avoid hyperextension of the wrist. This condition is associated with repetitive tasks such as clerical work, not sports. The condition may be managed with medications, yoga, acupuncture, and wrist (not arm) splints.

The nurse is caring for a client with osteoporosis. Which information will the nurse include when teaching actions to manage the condition? Select all that apply.

*Avoid excessive alcohol intake *Plan for smoking cessation *Engage in regular weight-bearing exercise Care of the client with osteoporosis focuses on actions to improve bone density. These actions include avoiding the excessive intake of alcohol. Clients who use tobacco products should be advised to quit. Regular weight-bearing exercise promotes bone formation. Recommendations include 20 to 30 minutes of aerobic, bone-stressing exercise daily. Current guidelines recommend that hormone therapy with estrogen not be used for primary prevention of bone loss in female clients who are postmenopausal. Swimming is not a weight-bearing exercise.

The nurse is screening a client for genetic counseling. What musculoskeletal conditions does the nurse know to have a genetic influence? Select all that apply.

*Marfan syndrome *osteoporosis *Stickler syndrome Osteoporosis, Marfan syndrome, and Stickler syndrome are conditions that have a genetic influence. Osteoarthritis is not influenced by genetic factors. Diabetes mellitus is not a musculoskeletal disorder with known genetic influence.

The nurse is asked to explain to the client the age-related processes that contribute to bone loss and osteoporosis. What is the nurse's best response?

Decrease in estrogen Age related processes that contribute to loss of bone mass and osteoporosis are decreases in estrogen, calcitonin, and vitamin D and an increase in parathyroid hormone.

What clinical manifestation would the nurse expect to find in a client who has had osteoporosis for several years?

Decreased height Clients with osteoporosis become shorter over time.

Which term refers to a flexion deformity caused by a slowly progressive contracture of the palmar fascia?

Dupuytren's contracture Explanation: Dupuytren's disease results in a slowly progressive contracture of the palmar fascia, called Dupuytren's contracture. A callus is a discretely thickened area of skin that has been exposed to persistent pressure or friction. A hammertoe is a flexion deformity of the interphangeal joint, which may involve several toes. Hallux valgus is a deformity in which the great toe deviates laterally.

Which of the following was formerly called a bunion?

Hallux valgus Hallux valgus (commonly called a bunion) is a deformity in which the great toe deviates laterally. Plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the foot-supporting fascia, present as an acute onset of heel pain experienced with the first steps in the morning. Morton's neuroma is a swelling of the third (lateral) branch of the median plantar nerve. A ganglion, a collection of gelatinous material near the tendon sheaths and joints, appears as a round, firm compressible cystic swelling, usually on the dorsum of the wrist.

Assessment of a client reveals signs and symptoms of Paget's disease. Which of the following would be most likely?

Long bone bowing Explanation: Some clients with Paget's disease are asymptomatic with only some mild skeletal deformity. Other clients have marked skeletal deformities which may include enlargement of the skull, bowing of the long bones, and kyphosis.

A patient is having low back pain. What position can the nurse suggest to relieve this discomfort?

Supine, with the knees slightly flexed and the head of the bed elevated 30 degrees A medium to firm, not sagging mattress (a bed board may be used) is recommended; there is no evidence to support the use of a firm mattress (National Guideline Clearinghouse, 2010). Lumbar flexion is increased by elevating the head and thorax 30 degrees by using pillows or a foam wedge and slightly flexing the knees supported on a pillow. Alternatively, the patient can assume a lateral position with knees and hips flexed (curled position) with a pillow between the knees and legs and a pillow supporting the head (Fig. 42-1). A prone position should be avoided because it accentuates lordosis.

A nurse is teaching a client about preventing osteoporosis. Which teaching point is correct?

The recommended daily allowance of calcium may be found in a wide variety of foods. Premenopausal women require 1,000 mg of calcium per day. Postmenopausal women require 1,500 mg per day. Clients usually can get the recommended daily requirement of calcium by eating a varied diet. Osteoporosis doesn't show up on ordinary X-rays until 30% of bone has been lost. Bone densitometry, however, can detect bone loss of 3% or less. This test is sometimes recommended routinely for women older than 35 who are at risk for osteoporosis. Strenuous exercise won't cause fractures. Although supplements are available, they aren't always necessary.

A client has come to the clinic with foot pain. The physician has described the client's condition as a flexion deformity of the proximal interphalangeal joint. What is the name of this disorder?

hammer toe Hammer toe is a flexion deformity of the proximal interphalangeal joint. Mallet toe is a flexion deformity of the distal interphalangeal joint. Bunion is a deformity of the great toe at its metatarsophalangeal joint. Heberden's nodes are bony enlargements of the distal interphalangeal joints.

Lifestyle risk factors for osteoporosis include

lack of exposure to sunshine. Lifestyle risk factors for osteoporosis include lack of exposure to sunshine, a diet low in calcium and vitamin D, cigarette smoking, consumption of alcohol and/or caffeine, and lack of weight-bearing exercise. Lack of weight-bearing exercise, not lack of aerobic exercise, is a lifestyle risk factor for osteoporosis. A diet low in calcium and vitamin D, not a low-protein, high-fat diet, is a lifestyle risk factor for osteoporosis. An estrogen deficiency or menopause is an individual risk factor for osteoporosis.