Nokea
The nurse is assessing an older female patient and notes that the patient has lost 2 cm in height since the previous visit 2 years ago. Which of the following diagnostic tests should the nurse include in the teaching plan?
- A. Discography studies
- B. Myelographic testing
- C. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- D. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The decreased height and the patient's age suggest that the patient may have osteoporosis and that bone density testing is needed. Discography, MRI, and myelography are typically done for patients with current symptoms caused by musculoskeletal dysfunction and are not the initial diagnostic tests for osteoporosis.
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The nurse is preparing to assess a patient's musculoskeletal system. Which of the following actions should the nurse do first?
- A. Feel for the presence of crepitus during joint movement.
- B. Have the patient move the extremities against resistance.
- C. Observe the patient's body build and muscle configuration.
- D. Check active and passive range of motion for the extremities.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The usual technique in the physical assessment is to begin with inspection. Abnormalities in muscle mass or configuration will allow the nurse to perform a more focused assessment of abnormal areas. The other assessments also are included in the assessment but are usually done after inspection.
The nurse is conducting a musculoskeletal assessment on an older-adult patient. Which of the following are age-related changes in this body system? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Decreased bone density
- B. Decreased risk for cartilage disruption
- C. Increased glycogen stores
- D. Decreased elasticity in cartilage
- E. Increased muscle cell diameter
Correct Answer: A,D
Rationale: A decrease in both bone density and elasticity in the cartilage are age-related changes in the musculoskeletal system. Other changes include an increased risk for cartilage disruption, decreased glycogen stores, and a decrease in the diameter of muscle cells.
The nurse is caring for a patient with kyphosis. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect to assess?
- A. Shortened stride
- B. Exaggerated thoracic curvature
- C. Grating sound when performing passive ROM
- D. Uncoordinated, swaying gait
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Patients with kyphosis (dowager's hump) have a forward bending of thoracic spine, an exaggerated thoracic curvature. A shortened stride is antalgic gait. Crepitation is crackling sound or grating sensation as a result of friction between bones, broken bone, or cartilage bits in joint. An uncoordinated swaying gait is an ataxic gait.
Which of the following information obtained during the nurse's assessment of the patient's nutritional-metabolic pattern may indicate the risk for musculoskeletal condition?
- A. The patient takes a multivitamin daily.
- B. The patient dislikes fruits and vegetables.
- C. The patient is 158 cm and weighs 81 kg.
- D. The patient prefers whole milk to nonfat milk.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The patient's height and weight indicate obesity, which places stress on weight-bearing joints. The use of whole milk, avoiding fruits and vegetables, and use of a daily multivitamin are not risk factors for musculoskeletal condition.
While testing the patient's muscle strength, the nurse finds that the patient can flex the arms when no resistance is applied but is unable to flex when the nurse applies light resistance. The nurse should document the patient's muscle strength as level
- A. 1
- B. 2
- C. 3
- D. 4
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A level 3 indicates that the patient is unable to move against resistance but can move against gravity. Level 1 indicates minimal muscle contraction, level 2 indicates that the arm can move when gravity is eliminated, and level 4 indicates active movement with some resistance.