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Kristen Eden
Bethel College
MUSCULOSKELETAL EXAM QUESTIONS 2
questions. The questions must be written clearly, at an appropriate level for the students’
understanding, and should reflect the content that has been previously taught during lecture.
Requesting one’s nurse educator colleagues to review the questions for clarity, accuracy, and
appropriate level of difficulty will provide the writer with a variety of perspectives and
The five exam questions I have written to include during my teaching presentation on the
nursing interventions. The content covered in this presentation and set of exam questions
includes assessments and diagnostic testing, fractures, osteomyelitis, osteoporosis, and systemic
lupus erythematosus. The goal will be to assess student learning throughout the presentation and
Question 1
What type of diagnostic test is most often used to diagnose bone fractures?
A. MRI
B. Arthroscopy
C. Xray
Answer C is the correct answer (Ignatavicius & Workman, 2016, p. 1025). Answer A is
incorrect because MRIs provide more detailed imaging than is needed for a simple fracture
(Ignatavicius & Workman, 2016, p. 1025). Answer B is incorrect because arthroscopy is used to
diagnose damage within joints (Ignatavicius & Workman, 2016, p. 1026). Answer D is incorrect
MUSCULOSKELETAL EXAM QUESTIONS 3
because it is used primarily to detect tumors, arthritis, and unexplained bone pain. It is more
detailed imaging than is needed to diagnose a fracture but may be used to diagnose hairline
fractures that are difficult to see on an xray (Ignatavicius & Workman, 2016, p. 1025). This exam
question is written at the knowledge level. The student must simply remember what diagnostic
test is most often used to diagnose bone fractures. This question reflects outcome two because it
Question 2
You are a nurse working on an orthopedic inpatient unit. You are assigned four patients and must
decide who to assess first. Which patient should you recognize as needing immediate attention?
D. The patient with a fasciotomy requesting to have his wound dressing changed
The correct answer to this question is C because breathing is always prioritized over
circulation, pain, and discomfort (Ignatavicius & Workman, 2016). Answer A is incorrect but
plausible as a pain rating of 6/10 could indicate issues such as acute compartment syndrome
(Ignatavicius & Workman, p. 1063). Answer B is incorrect but plausible these symptoms
indicate decreased perfusion and risk for tissue death (Ignatavicius & Workman, 2016, p. 1057).
Answer D is incorrect but plausible because protecting the open tissues after a fasciotomy is
important (Ignatavicius & Workman, 2016, p. 1064). This question is written at the application
level. It requires the student to be familiar with abnormal assessment findings and prioritize
which finding is of greatest importance. This exam question reflects outcomes two and three
MUSCULOSKELETAL EXAM QUESTIONS 4
Question 3
The nurse is assessing her patient’s understanding of her teaching on prevention of osteoporosis.
phosphorus.”
Answer C is the correct answer. The patient needs further teaching because she thinks
large amounts of soda will not affect her osteoporosis. However, this is untrue as large amounts
of phosphorus decrease calcium levels and further the disease (Ignatavicius & Workman, 2016,
p. 1031). Answer A is incorrect. If the patient makes this statement they understand the need for
dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D maintain healthy bones (Ignatavicius & Workman, 2016,
strength (Ignatavicius & Workman, 2016, p. 1033). Answer D is incorrect because it is important
to prevent falls from occurring when one has osteoporosis. Osteoporosis increases the risk for
bone fractures due to falls. (Ignatavicius & Workman, 2016, p. 1032). This question is written at
the application level. It requires the student to have an understanding of ways to prevent
osteoporosis and decide which teaching statements are appropriate. This exam question reflects
Question 4
Which statements should the nurse include when educating her patient on their new diagnosis of
tissues.
B. Sun exposure can minimize the negative effects of lupus on the skin.
C. You should avoid large crowds while taking steroids and immunosuppressants.
Answers A, C, and D are correct. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes damage to
connective tissues as well as any other body system by forming immune complexes that cause
inflammation, decreased circulation, and damage. Avoiding large crowds is important while
taking immunosuppressants because of the high risk for infection and decreased immunity of the
patient. Spiking a fever is a classic sign of an exacerbation of lupus (Ignatavicius & Workman,
2016, pp. 313-316). Answer B is incorrect because sun exposure triggers exacerbation of lupus
(Ignatavicius & Workman, 2016, p. 316). Answer E is incorrect because lupus can negatively
impact one’s pregnancy (Ignatavicius & Workman, 2016, p. 316). This question is written at the
application level. It requires the student to have an understanding of lupus and the ways to
prevent exacerbations in order to provide adequate teaching to her patient. This exam question
reflects outcome five because it requires the student to evaluate the clinical manifestations of
lupus.
MUSCULOSKELETAL EXAM QUESTIONS 6
Question 5
You are evaluating the laboratory values of your patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.
B. Hemoglobin of 14g/dL
Answer C is the correct answer. The elevated creatinine value indicates kidney damage
due to the systemic effects of lupus (Ignatavicius & Workman, 2016, p. 315). Answers A, B, and
D are all values within normal range and do not indicate organ damage (Ignatavicius &
Workman, 2016, p. 315). This question is written at the application level because it requires the
student to assess the laboratory values and determine which is abnormal and related to lupus. The
question reflects outcome five because it requires the student to evaluate the patient for clinical
manifestations of lupus.
examination questions. Recall of information and critical thinking can be assessed easily by
providing students with high-quality questions that reflect the content taught. Providing answer
rationales and references encourages further learning and assists the student to thoroughly
References
McDonald, M. (2018). The nurse educator’s guide to assessing learning outcomes (4th ed.).