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Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A patient with acute osteomyelitis of the left femur is hospitalized for regional antibiotic
irrigation. Which intervention will be included in the initial plan of care?
a. Immobilization of the left leg
b. Positioning the left leg in flexion
c. Assisted weight-bearing ambulation
d. Quadriceps-setting exercise repetitions
ANS: A
Immobilization of the affected leg helps decrease pain and reduce the risk for pathologic
fractures. Weight-bearing exercise increases the risk for pathologic fractures. Flexion of the
affected limb is avoided to prevent contractures.
2. A 50-year-old patient is being discharged after a week of IV antibiotic therapy for acute
osteomyelitis in the right leg. Which information will be included in the discharge teaching?
a. How to apply warm packs to the leg to reduce pain
b. How to monitor and care for the long-term IV catheter
c. The need for daily aerobic exercise to help maintain muscle strength
d. The reason for taking oral antibiotics for 7 to 10 days after discharge
ANS: B
The patient will be on IV antibiotics for several months, and the patient will need to recognize
signs of infection at the IV site and how to care for the catheter during daily activities such as
bathing. IV antibiotics rather than oral antibiotics are used for acute osteomyelitis. Patients are
instructed to avoid exercise and heat application because these will increase swelling and the
risk for spreading infection.
4. The nurse instructs a patient who has osteosarcoma of the tibia about a scheduled above-the-
knee amputation. Which statement by a patient indicates that additional patient teaching is
needed?
a. I will need to participate in physical therapy after surgery.
b. I did not have this bone cancer until my leg broke a week ago.
c. I wish that I did not have to have chemotherapy after this surgery.
d. I can use the patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) to control postoperative pain.
ANS: B
Osteogenic sarcoma may be diagnosed following a fracture, but it is not caused by the injury.
The other patient statements indicate that patient teaching has been effective.
6. An appropriate nursing intervention for a patient who has acute low back pain and muscle
spasms is to teach the patient to
a. keep both feet flat on the floor when prolonged standing is required.
b. twist gently from side to side to maintain range of motion in the spine.
c. keep the head elevated slightly and flex the knees when resting in bed.
d. avoid the use of cold packs because they will exacerbate the muscle spasms.
ANS: C
Resting with the head elevated and knees flexed will reduce the strain on the back and
decrease muscle spasms. Twisting from side to side will increase tension on the lumbar area. A
pillow placed under the upper back will cause strain on the lumbar spine. Alternate application
of cold and heat should be used to decrease pain.
8. The nurse should reposition the patient who has just had a laminectomy and diskectomy by
a. instructing the patient to move the legs before turning the rest of the body.
b. having the patient turn by grasping the side rails and pulling the shoulders over.
c. placing a pillow between the patients legs and turning the entire body as a unit.
d. turning the patients head and shoulders first, followed by the hips, legs, and feet.
ANS: C
The spine should be kept in correct alignment after laminectomy. The other positions will
create misalignment of the spine.
9. The nurse will determine that more teaching is needed if a patient with discomfort from a
bunion says, I will
a. give away my high-heeled shoes.
b. take ibuprofen (Motrin) if I need it.
c. use the bunion pad to cushion the area.
d. only wear sandals, no closed-toe shoes.
ANS: D
The patient can wear shoes that have a wide forefoot. The other patient statements indicate
that the teaching has been effective.
10. An assessment finding for a 55-year-old patient that alerts the nurse to the presence of
osteoporosis is
a. a measurable loss of height.
b. the presence of bowed legs.
c. the aversion to dairy products.
d. a statement about frequent falls.
ANS: A
Osteoporosis occurring in the vertebrae produces a gradual loss of height. Bowed legs are
associated with osteomalacia. Low intake of dairy products is a risk factor for osteoporosis,
but it does not indicate that osteoporosis is present. Frequent falls increase the risk for
fractures but are not an indicator of osteoporosis.
11. A 54-year-old woman who recently reached menopause and has a family history of
osteoporosis is diagnosed with osteopenia following densitometry testing. In teaching the
woman about her osteoporosis, the nurse explains that
a. estrogen replacement therapy must be started to prevent rapid progression to
osteoporosis.
b. continuous, low-dose corticosteroid treatment is effective in stopping the course of
osteoporosis.
c. with a family history of osteoporosis, there is no way to prevent or slow gradual
bone resorption.
d. calcium loss from bones can be slowed by increasing calcium intake and weight-
bearing exercise.
ANS: D
Progression of osteoporosis can be slowed by increasing calcium intake and weight-bearing
exercise. Estrogen replacement therapy does help prevent osteoporosis, but it is not the only
treatment and is not appropriate for some patients. Corticosteroid therapy increases the risk
for osteoporosis.
12. Which menu choice by a patient with osteoporosis indicates that the nurses teaching about
appropriate diet has been effective?
a. Pancakes with syrup and bacon
b. Whole wheat toast and fresh fruit
c. Egg-white omelet and a half grapefruit
d. Oatmeal with skim milk and fruit yogurt
ANS: D
Skim milk and yogurt are high in calcium. The other choices do not contain any high-calcium
foods.
13. The nurse evaluating effectiveness of prescribed calcitonin (Cibacalcin) and ibandronate
(Boniva) for a patient with Pagets disease will consider the patients
a. pain level.
b. oral intake.
c. daily weight.
d. grip strength.
ANS: A
Bone pain is one of the common early manifestations of Pagets disease, and the nurse should
assess the pain level to determine whether the treatment is effective. The other information
will also be collected by the nurse, but will not be used in evaluating the effectiveness of the
therapy.
14. Which action should the nurse take before administering gentamicin (Garamycin) to a patient
who has acute osteomyelitis?
a.Ask the patient about any nausea.
b.Review the patients creatinine level.
c.Obtain the patients oral temperature.
d.Change the prescribed wet-to-dry dressing.
ANS: B
Gentamicin is nephrotoxic and can cause renal failure. Monitoring the patients temperature
before gentamicin administration is not necessary. Nausea is not a common side effect of IV
gentamicin. There is no need to change the dressing before gentamicin administration.
15. Which assessment finding for a patient who has had a surgical reduction of an open fracture of
the right radius is most important to report to the health care provider?
a. Serous wound drainage
b. Right arm muscle spasms
c. Right arm pain with movement
d. Temperature 101.4 F (38.6 C)
ANS: D
An elevated temperature is suggestive of possible osteomyelitis. The other clinical
manifestations are typical after a repair of an open fracture.
16. Following laminectomy with a spinal fusion to treat a herniated disc, a patient reports
numbness and tingling of the right lower leg. The first action that the nurse should take is to
a.report the patients complaint to the surgeon.
b.check the chart for preoperative assessment data.
c.check the vital signs for indications of hemorrhage.
d.turn the patient to the side to relieve pressure on the right leg.
ANS: B
The postoperative movement and sensation of the extremities should be unchanged (or
improved) from the preoperative assessment. If the numbness and tingling are new, this
information should be immediately reported to the surgeon. Numbness and tingling are not
symptoms associated with hemorrhage at the site. Turning the patient will not relieve the
numbness.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 1550
OBJ: Special Questions: Prioritization TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
17. When administering alendronate (Fosamax) to a patient with osteoporosis, the nurse will
a. ask about any leg cramps or hot flashes.
b. assist the patient to sit up at the bedside.
c. be sure that the patient has recently eaten.
d. administer the ordered calcium carbonate.
ANS: B
To avoid esophageal erosions, the patient taking bisphosphonates should be upright for at least
30 minutes after taking the medication. Fosamax should be taken on an empty stomach, not
after taking other medications or eating. Leg cramps and hot flashes are not side effects of
bisphosphonates.
18. Which nursing action included in the care of a patient after laminectomy can the nurse
delegate to experienced unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
a. Check ability to plantar and dorsiflex the foot.
b. Determine the patients readiness to ambulate.
c. Log roll the patient from side to side every 2 hours.
d. Ask about pain control with the patient-controlled analgesia (PCA).
ANS: C
Repositioning a patient is included in the education and scope of practice of UAP, and
experienced UAP will be familiar with how to maintain alignment in the postoperative patient.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of pain medications, assessment of neurologic function, and
evaluation of a patients readiness to ambulate after surgery require higher level nursing
education and scope of practice.
19. Which action will the nurse take when caring for a patient with osteomalacia?
a. Teach about the use of vitamin D supplements.
b. Educate about the need for weight-bearing exercise.
c. Discuss the use of medications such as bisphosphonates.
d. Emphasize the importance of sunscreen use when outside.
ANS: A
Osteomalacia is caused by inadequate intake or absorption of vitamin D. Weight-bearing
exercise and bisphosphonate administration may be used for osteoporosis but will not be
beneficial for osteomalacia. Because ultraviolet light is needed for the body to synthesize
vitamin D, the patient might be taught that 20 minutes/day of sun exposure is beneficial.
21. A nurse who works on the orthopedic unit has just received the change-of-shift report. Which
patient should the nurse assess first?
a. Patient who reports foot pain after hammertoe surgery
b. Patient with low back pain and a positive straight-leg-raise test
c. Patient who has not voided 10 hours after having a laminectomy
d. Patient with osteomyelitis who has a temperature of 100.5 F (38.1 C)
ANS: C
Difficulty in voiding may indicate damage to the spinal nerves and should be assessed and
reported to the surgeon immediately. The information about the other patients is consistent
with their diagnoses. The nurse will need to assess them as quickly as possible, but the
information about them does not indicate a need for immediate intervention.
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. Which actions will the nurse include in the plan of care when caring for a patient with
metastatic bone cancer of the left femur (select all that apply)?
a.Monitor serum calcium level.
b.Teach about the need for strict bed rest.
c.Avoid use of sustained-release opioids for pain.
d.Support the left leg when repositioning the patient.
e.Support family as they discuss the prognosis of patient
ANS: A, D, E
The nurse will monitor for hypercalcemia caused by bone decalcification. Support of the leg
helps reduce the risk for pathologic fractures. Although the patient may be reluctant to
exercise, activity is important to maintain function and avoid the complications associated
with immobility. Adequate pain medication, including sustained-release and rapidly acting
opioids, is needed for the severe pain that is frequently associated with bone cancer. The
prognosis for metastatic bone cancer is poor so the patient and family need to be supported as
they deal with the reality of the situation.
2. Which information will the nurse include when teaching a patient with acute low back pain
(select all that apply)?
a. Sleep in a prone position with the legs extended.
b. Keep the knees straight when leaning forward to pick something up.
c. Avoid activities that require twisting of the back or prolonged sitting.
d. Symptoms of acute low back pain frequently improve in a few weeks.
e. Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be used to relieve pain.
ANS: C, D, E
Acute back pain usually starts to improve within 2 weeks. In the meantime, the patient should
use medications such as nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen to
manage pain and avoid activities that stress the back. Sleeping in a prone position and keeping
the knees straight when leaning forward will place stress on the back, and should be avoided.
SHORT ANSWER
ANS:
1.67
To administer 100 mL in 60 minutes, the IV pump will need to provide 1.67 mL/minute.
OTHER
1. In which order will the nurse implement these collaborative interventions prescribed for a
patient being admitted who has acute osteomyelitis with a temperature of 101.2 F? (Put a
comma and a space between each answer choice [A, B, C, D].)
a. Obtain blood cultures from two sites.
b. Send to radiology for computed tomography (CT) scan of right leg.
c. Administer gentamicin (Garamycin) 60 mg IV.
d. Administer acetaminophen (Tylenol) now and every 4 hours PRN for fever.
ANS:
A, C, D, B
The highest priority for possible osteomyelitis is initiation of antibiotic therapy, but cultures
should be obtained before administration of antibiotics. Addressing the discomfort of the fever
is the next highest priority. Because the purpose of the CT scan is to determine the extent of
the infection, it can be done last.