Chapter 33: The Child with Musculoskeletal or Articular Dysfunction
30. The nurse is caring for a 12-year-old child with a left leg below the knee amputation (BKA). The child had the surgery 1 week ago. Which intervention should the nurse plan to implement for this child? a. Elevate the left stump on a pillow. b. Place ice pack on the stump. c. Encourage the child to use an overhead bed trapeze when repositioning. d. Replace the ace wrap covering the stump with a gauze dressing.
ANS: C
26. The nurse is taking care of an adolescent with osteosarcoma. The parents ask the nurse about treatment. The nurse should make which accurate response about treatment for osteosarcoma? a. Treatment usually consists of surgery and chemotherapy. b. Amputation of affected extremity is rarely necessary. c. Intensive irradiation is the primary treatment. d. Bone marrow transplantation offers the best chance of long-term survival.
ANS: A
27. An adolescent with osteosarcoma is scheduled for a leg amputation in 2 days. The nurse's approach should include which action? a. Answering questions with straightforward honesty b. Avoiding discussing the seriousness of the condition c. Explaining that, although the amputation is difficult, it will cure the cancer d. Assisting the adolescent in accepting the amputation as better than a long course of chemotherapy
ANS: A
4. Which can result from the bone demineralization associated with immobility? a. Osteoporosis b. Urinary retention c. Pooling of blood d. Susceptibility to infection
ANS: A
15. Which type of traction uses skin traction on the lower leg and a padded sling under the knee? a. Dunlop b. Bryant c. Russell d. Buck extension
ANS: C
32. The nurse is caring for an adolescent with osteosarcoma being admitted to undergo chemotherapy. The adolescent had a right above-the-knee amputation 2 months ago and has been experiencing "phantom limb pain." Which prescribed medication is appropriate to administer to relieve phantom limb pain? a. Amitriptyline (Elavil) b. Hydrocodone (Vicodin) c. Oxycodone (OxyContin) d. Alprazolam (Xanax)
ANS: A
1. The nurse is caring for an infant with developmental dysplasia of the hip. Which clinical manifestations should the nurse expect to observe? (Select all that apply.) a. Positive Ortolani click b. Unequal gluteal folds c. Negative Babinski sign d. Trendelenburg sign e. Telescoping of the affected limb f. Lordosis
ANS: A & B
3. An adolescent with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is prescribed abatacept (Orencia). Which should the nurse teach the adolescent regarding this medication? (Select all that apply.) a. Avoid receiving live immunizations while taking the medication. b. Before beginning this medication, a tuberculin screening test will be done. c. You will be getting a twice-a-day dose of this medication. d. This medication is taken orally.
ANS: A & B
2. The nurse is caring for a preschool child immobilized by a spica cast. Which effect on metabolism should the nurse monitor on this child related to the immobilized status? a. Hypocalcemia b. Decreased metabolic rate c. Positive nitrogen balance d. Increased production of stress hormones
ANS: B
31. A nurse is conducting discharge teaching for parents of an infant with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). Further teaching is indicated if the parents make which statement? a. "We will be very careful handling the baby." b. "We will lift the baby by the buttocks when diapering." c. "We're glad there is a cure for this disorder." d. "We will schedule follow-up appointments as instructed."
ANS: C
20. A 4-year-old child is newly diagnosed with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. Nursing considerations should include which action? a. Encouraging normal activity for as long as is possible b. Explaining the cause of the disease to the child and family c. Preparing the child and family for long-term, permanent disabilities d. Teaching the family the care and management of the corrective appliance
ANS: D
5. The nurse is caring for a preschool child with a cast applied recently for a fractured tibia. Which assessment findings indicate possible compartment syndrome? (Select all that apply.) a. Palpable distal pulse b. Capillary refill to extremity less than 3 seconds c. Severe pain not relieved by analgesics d. Tingling of extremity e. Inability to move extremity
ANS: C, D, & E
1. The nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child immobilized by a fractured hip. Which complication should the nurse monitor related to the child's immobilization status? a. Metabolic rate increases b. Increased joint mobility leading to contractures c. Bone calcium increases, releasing excess calcium into the body (hypercalcemia) d. Venous stasis leading to thrombi or emboli formation
ANS: D
25. A nurse is conducting a staff in-service on childhood cancers. Which is the primary site of osteosarcoma? a. Femur b. Humerus c. Pelvis d. Tibia
ANS: A
12. A child is upset because, when the cast is removed from her leg, the skin surface is caked with desquamated skin and sebaceous secretions. Which should the nurse suggest to remove this material? a. Soak in a bathtub. b. Vigorously scrub leg. c. Apply powder to absorb material. d. Carefully pick material off leg.
ANS: A
16. Four-year-old David is placed in Buck extension traction for Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. He is crying with pain as the nurse assesses that the skin of his right foot is pale with an absence of pulse. Which action should the nurse take first? a. Notify the practitioner of the changes noted. b. Give the child medication to relieve the pain. c. Reposition the child and notify physician. d. Chart the observations and check the extremity again in 15 minutes.
ANS: A
23. The nurse is preparing an adolescent with scoliosis for a Luque-rod segmental spinal instrumentation procedure. Which consideration should the nurse include? a. Nasogastric intubation and urinary catheter may be required. b. Ambulation will not be allowed for up to 3 months. c. Surgery eliminates the need for casting and bracing. d. Discomfort can be controlled with nonpharmacologic methods.
ANS: A
3. The nurse should monitor for which effect on the cardiovascular system when a child is immobilized? a. Venous stasis b. Increased vasopressor mechanism c. Normal distribution of blood volume d. Increased efficiency of orthostatic neurovascular reflexes
ANS: A
5. A young girl has just injured her ankle at school. In addition to calling the child's parents, the most appropriate, immediate action by the school nurse is to: a. apply ice. b. observe for edema and discoloration. c. encourage child to assume a position of comfort. d. obtain parental permission for administration of acetaminophen or aspirin.
ANS: A
6. Which term is used to describe a type of fracture that does not produce a break in the skin? a. Simple b. Compound c. Complicated d. Comminuted
ANS: A
13. An adolescent with a fractured femur is in Russell's traction. Surgical intervention to correct the fracture is scheduled for the morning. Nursing actions should include which action? a. Maintaining continuous traction until 1 hour before the scheduled surgery b. Maintaining continuous traction and checking position of traction frequently c. Releasing traction every hour to perform skin care d. Releasing traction once every 8 hours to check circulation
ANS: B
17. Which is an appropriate nursing intervention when caring for a child in traction? a. Remove adhesive traction straps daily to prevent skin breakdown. b. Assess for tightness, weakness, or contractures in uninvolved joints and muscles. c. Provide active range-of-motion exercises to affected extremity three times a day. d. Keep the child in one position to maintain good alignment.
ANS: B
24. The nurse is taking care of a 10-year-old child who has osteomyelitis. Which treatment plan is considered the primary method of treating osteomyelitis? a. Joint replacement b. Bracing and casting c. Intravenous antibiotic therapy d. Long-term corticosteroid therapy
ANS: C
4. A school-age child is diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The nurse should plan to implement which interventions for this child? (Select all that apply.) a. Instructions to avoid exposure to sunlight b. Teaching about body changes associated with SLE c. Preparation for home schooling d. Restricted activity
ANS: A & B
8. The nurse is conducting a staff in-service on casts. Which is an advantage to using a fiberglass cast instead of a plaster of Paris cast? a. Cheaper b. Dries rapidly c. Molds closely to body parts d. Smooth exterior
ANS: B
7. Kristin, age 10 years, sustained a fracture in the epiphyseal plate of her right fibula when she fell off of a tree. When discussing this injury with her parents, the nurse should consider which statement? a. Healing is usually delayed in this type of fracture. b. Growth can be affected by this type of fracture. c. This is an unusual fracture site in young children. d. This type of fracture is inconsistent with a fall.
ANS: B
2. A clinic nurse is conducting a staff in-service for other clinic nurses about signs and symptoms of a rhabdomyosarcoma tumor. Which should be included in the teaching session? (Select all that apply.) a. Bone fractures b. Abdominal mass c. Sore throat and ear pain d. Headache e. Ecchymosis of conjunctiva
ANS: B, C, & E
18. The nurse is teaching a family how to care for their infant in a Pavlik harness to treat developmental dysplasia of the hip. Which should be included? a. Apply lotion or powder to minimize skin irritation. b. Remove harness several times a day to prevent contractures. c. Return to clinic every 1 to 2 weeks. d. Place diaper over harness, preferably using a superabsorbent disposable diaper that is relatively thin.
ANS: C
19. A neonate is born with bilateral mild talipes equinovarus (clubfoot). When the parents ask the nurse how this will be corrected, the nurse should give which explanation? a. Traction is tried first. b. Surgical intervention is needed. c. Frequent, serial casting is tried first. d. Children outgrow this condition when they learn to walk.
ANS: C
22. A school nurse is conducting a staff in-service to other school nurses on idiopathic scoliosis. During which period of child development does idiopathic scoliosis become most noticeable? a. Newborn period b. When child starts to walk c. Preadolescent growth spurt d. Adolescence
ANS: C
10. The nurse uses the palms of the hands when handling a wet cast for which reason? a. To assess dryness of the cast b. To facilitate easy turning c. To keep the patient's limb balanced d. To avoid indenting the cast
ANS: D
29. The nurse is caring for a school-age child diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Which intervention should be a priority? a. Apply ice packs to relieve stiffness and pain. b. Administer acetaminophen to reduce inflammation. c. Teach the child and family correct administration of medications. d. Encourage range-of-motion exercises during periods of inflammation.
ANS: C
11. Which should cause a nurse to suspect that an infection has developed under a cast? a. Complaint of paresthesia b. Cold toes c. Increased respirations d. "Hot spots" felt on cast surface
ANS: D
14. Which is a type of skin traction with legs in an extended position? a. Dunlop b. Bryant c. Russell d. Buck extension
ANS: D
21. The nurse is taking care of an adolescent diagnosed with kyphosis. Which describes this condition? a. Lateral curvature of the spine b. Immobility of the shoulder joint c. Exaggerated concave lumbar curvature of the spine d. Increased convex angulation in the curve of the thoracic spine
ANS: D
28. Which medication is usually tried first when a child is diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)? a. Aspirin b. Corticosteroids c. Cytotoxic drugs such as methotrexate d. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
ANS: D
9. The nurse is conducting teaching to parents of a 7-year-old child who fractured an arm and is being discharged with a cast. Which instruction should be included in the teaching? a. Swelling of the fingers is to be expected for the next 48 hours. b. Immobilize the shoulder to decrease pain in the arm. c. Allow the affected limb to hang down for 1 hour each day. d. Elevate casted arm when resting and when sitting up.
ANS: D
