Med Surg 2 FINAL Test Reviews

The nurse is performing an assessment of a patient's musculoskeletal system and is appraising the patient's bone integrity. What action should the nurse perform during this phase of assessment?

Compare parts of the body symmetrically.

A nurse is preparing to discharge a patient from the emergency department after receiving treatment for an ankle sprain. While providing discharge education, the nurse should encourage which of the following?

Keep an elastic compression bandage on the ankle.

An older adult patient has come to the clinic for a regular check-up. The nurse's initial inspection reveals an increased thoracic curvature of the patient's spine. The nurse should document the presence of which of the following?

Kyphosis

Which statement(s) accurately describe the advantage(s) of fiberglass casts? (select all that apply.)

b. Allowance of weight bearing after 30 minutes c. Dries more quickly d. Lighter weight

A nurse is providing education to a community women's group about lifestyle changes helpful in preventing osteoporosis. What topics does the nurse cover? (Select all that apply.)

b. Take recommended calcium and vitamin D. c. Strengthening exercises are important. d. Cut down on tobacco product use.

A patient presents at a clinic complaining of back pain that goes all the way down the back of the leg to the foot. The nurse should document the presence of what type of pain?

Sciatica

A client with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was recently discharged from the hospital after an acute exacerbation. The client is in the clinic for a follow-up visit and is distraught about the possibility of another hospitalization disrupting the family. What action by the nurse is best?

Help the client create backup plans to minimize disruption.

An older adult patient sought care for the treatment of a swollen, painful knee joint. Diagnostic imaging and culturing of synovial fluid resulted in a diagnosis of septic arthritis. The nurse should prioritize which of the following aspects of care?

Intravenous administration of antibiotics

A public health nurse is organizing a campaign that will address the leading cause of musculoskeletal-related disability in the United States. The nurse should focus on what health problem?

Lower back pain

A client has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome but does not want to take the prescribed medications. What nonpharmacologic measures can the nurse suggest to help manage this condition? (Select all that apply.)

a. Acupuncture c. Tai chi e. Stretching

A phone triage nurse speaks with a client who has an arm cast. The client states, "My arm feels really tight and puffy." How should the nurse respond?

"Please come to the clinic today to have your arm checked by the provider."

A nurse is caring for a patient whose cancer metastasis has resulted in bone pain. Which of the following are typical characteristics of bone pain?

A dull, deep ache that is "boring" in nature

Which of the following patients should the nurse recognize as being at the highest risk for the development of osteomyelitis?

An elderly patient with an infected pressure ulcer in the sacral area

An emergency department nurse cares for a client who sustained a crush injury to the right lower leg. The client reports numbness and tingling in the affected leg. Which action should the nurse take first?

Assess the pedal pulses.

A patient tells the nurse that he has pain and numbness to his thumb, first finger, and second finger of the right hand. The nurse discovers that the patient is employed as an auto mechanic, and that the pain is increased while working. This may indicate that the patient could possibly have what health problem?

Carpel tunnel syndrome

A patient's electronic health record notes that the patient has hallux valgus. What signs and symptoms would the nurse expect this patient to manifest?

Deviation of a great toe laterally

A nurse is assessing a patient who is experiencing peripheral neurovascular dysfunction. What assessment findings are most consistent with this diagnosis?

Absence of feeling, capillary refill of 4 to 5 seconds, and cool skin

A client has fibromyalgia and is prescribed duloxetine hydrochloride (Cymbalta). The client calls the clinic and asks the nurse why an antidepressant drug has been prescribed. What response by the nurse is best?

"This drug works in the brain to decrease pain."

The nurse is teaching a client with gout dietary strategies to prevent exacerbations or other problems. Which statement by the nurse is most appropriate?

"Drink 1 to 2 liters of water each day."

A nurse assesses an older adult client who was admitted 2 days ago with a fractured hip. The nurse notes that the client is confused and restless. The client's vital signs are heart rate 98 beats/min, respiratory rate 32 breaths/min, blood pressure 132/78 mm Hg, and SpO2 88%. Which action should the nurse take first?

Administer oxygen via nasal cannula.

A young patient is being treated for a femoral fracture suffered in a snowboarding accident. The nurse's most recent assessment reveals that the patient is uncharacteristically confused. What diagnostic test should be performed on this patient?

Arterial blood gases

A patient has been experiencing progressive increases in knee pain and diagnostic imaging reveals a worsening effusion in the synovial capsule. The nurse should anticipate which of the following?

Arthrocentesis

An emergency department patient is diagnosed with a hip dislocation. The patient's family is relieved that the patient has not suffered a hip fracture, but the nurse explains that this is still considered to be a medical emergency. What is the rationale for the nurse's statement?

Avascular necrosis may develop at the site of the dislocation if it is not promptly resolved.

A school nurse is conducting scoliosis screening. In screening the client, what technique is most appropriate?

Bending forward from the hips

A nurse is performing a shift assessment on an elderly patient who is recovering after surgery for a hip fracture. The nurse notes that the patient is complaining of chest pain, has an increased heart rate, and increased respiratory rate. The nurse further notes that the patient is febrile and hypoxic, coughing, and producing large amounts of thick, white sputum. The nurse recognizes that this is a medical emergency and calls for assistance, recognizing that this patient is likely demonstrating symptoms of what complication?

Fat embolism syndrome

A patient presents at a clinic complaining of pain in his heel so bad that it inhibits his ability to walk. The patient is subsequently diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. This patient's plan of care should include what intervention?

Gently stretching the foot and the Achilles tendon

A client is started on etanercept (Enbrel). What teaching by the nurse is most appropriate?

Giving subcutaneous injections

Radiographs of a boy's upper arm show that the humerus appears to be fractured on one side and slightly bent on the other. This diagnostic result suggests what type of fracture?

Greenstick

A client has a metastatic bone tumor. What action by the nurse takes priority?

Handle the affected extremity with caution.

A nurse is caring for a patient who has suffered an unstable thoracolumbar fracture. Which of the following is the priority during nursing care?

Maintaining spinal alignment

A nurse cares for a client with a fractured fibula. Which assessment should alert the nurse to take immediate action?

Numbness in the extremity

A client is admitted with a large draining wound on the leg. What action does the nurse take first?

Obtain cultures of the leg wound

An 80-year-old man in a long-term care facility has a chronic leg ulcer and states that the area has become increasingly painful in recent days. The nurse notes that the site is now swollen and warm to the touch. The patient should undergo diagnostic testing for what health problem?

Osteomyelitis

A nurse obtains the health history of a client with a fractured femur. Which factor identified in the client's history should the nurse recognize as an aspect that may impede healing of the fracture?

Paget's disease

An older client with diabetes is admitted with a heavily draining leg wound. The client's white blood cell count is 38,000/mm3 but the client is afebrile. What action does the nurse take first?

Place the client on contact isolation.

A client has a bone density score of -2.8. What action by the nurse is best?

Planning to teach about bisphosphonates

A patient was fitted with an arm cast after fracturing her humerus. Twelve hours after the application of the cast, the patient tells the nurse that her arm hurts. Analgesics do not relieve the pain. What would be the most appropriate nursing action?

Prepare the patient for opening or bivalving of the cast.

A nurse's assessment of a teenage girl reveals that her shoulders are not level and that she has one prominent scapula that is accentuated by bending forward. The nurse should expect to read about what health problem in the patient's electronic health record?

Scoliosis

A nurse assesses a client with a fracture who is being treated with skeletal traction. Which assessment should alert the nurse to urgently contact the health provider?

Traction weights are resting on the floor

A patient is brought to the emergency department by ambulance after stepping in a hole and falling. While assessing him the nurse notes that his right leg is shorter than his left leg; his right hip is noticeably deformed and he is in acute pain. Imaging does not reveal a fracture. Which of the following is the most plausible explanation for this patient's signs and symptoms?

Traumatic hip dislocation