Med/Surg 1 - Musculoskeletal

Diagnostic tests show that a client's bone density has decreased over the past several years. The client asks the nurse which factors contribute to bone density decreasing. Which response by the nurse would be best?

"For many people, a lack of proper nutrition can cause a loss of bone density."

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

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

A client has been experiencing progressive increases in knee pain and diagnostic imaging reveals a worsening effusion in the synovial capsule. The nurse should anticipate what diagnostic procedure?

Arthrocentesis

A nurse is caring for a client who is in skeletal traction. To prevent the complication of skin breakdown in a client with skeletal traction, what action should be included in the plan of care?

Assess the pin insertion site every 8 hours

An older, female client with osteoporosis has been hospitalized. Prior to discharge, when teaching the client, the nurse should include information about which major complication of osteoporosis?

Bone fracture

A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology that may underlie a client's decreased bone density. What hormone should the nurse identify as inhibiting bone resorption and promoting bone formation?

Calcitonin

A nurse is teaching an educational class to a group of older adults at a community center. In an effort to prevent osteoporosis, the nurse should encourage participants to ensure that they consume the recommended intake of what nutrients? Select all that apply.

Calcium Vitamin D

A client is reporting pain in her casted leg. The nurse has administered analgesics and elevated the limb. Thirty minutes after administering the analgesics, the client states the pain is unrelieved. The nurse should identify the warning signs of what complication?

Compartment syndrome

A nurse is performing a musculoskeletal assessment of a client with arthritis. During passive range-of-motion exercises, the nurse hears an audible grating sound. The nurse should document the presence of what assessment finding?

Crepitus

A nurse is taking a health history on a client with musculoskeletal dysfunction. What should the nurse prioritize during this phase of the assessment?

Evaluating the effects of the musculoskeletal disorder on the client's function

A nurse is taking a health history on a new client who has been experiencing unexplained paresthesia. What question should guide the nurse's assessment of the client's altered sensations?

How does the feeling in the affected extremity compare with the feeling in the unaffected extremity?

The nursing care plan for a client in traction specifies regular assessments for venous thromboembolism (VTE). When assessing a client's lower limbs, what sign or symptom is suggestive of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?

Increased warmth of the calf

A client with a fractured femur is in balanced suspension traction. The client needs to be repositioned toward the head of the bed. During repositioning, what should the nurse do?

Maintain consistent traction tension while repositioning

The nurse is caring for a client who underwent a total hip replacement yesterday. What should the nurse do to prevent dislocation of the new prosthesis?

Protect the affected leg from internal rotation

A client's fracture is healing and compact bone is replacing spongy bone around the periphery of the fracture. This process characterizes what phase of the bone healing process?

Remodeling

A nurse is providing discharge education to a client who is going home with a cast on his leg. What topic should the nurse emphasize in the teaching session?

Reporting signs of impaired circulation

While performing an assessment, the nurse notes that a client has soft subcutaneous nodules along the extensor tendons of the fingers. Which disorder does this client most likely have?

Rheumatoid arthritis

A nurse is planning the care of a client who will require a prolonged course of skeletal traction. When planning this client's care, the nurse should prioritize interventions related to what risk nursing diagnosis?

Risk for Impaired Skin Integrity

A nurse is caring for a 78-year-old client with a history of osteoarthritis (OA). When planning the client's care, what goal should the nurse prioritize?

The client will express satisfaction with the ability to perform ADLs

A nurse is providing a class on osteoporosis at the local center for older adults. Which statement related to osteoporosis is most accurate?

The use of corticosteroids increases the risk of osteoporosis