Free Orthopaedic Nursing MCQs with Answers
50 Orthopaedic Nursing MCQs from Medical Surgical Nursing, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Covers fractures, dislocations, arthritis, osteoporosis, joint replacement, spinal disorders and complications of immobility. It includes neurovascular assessment, traction and cast care, mobility assistance, pain control, prevention of pressure injuries and deep vein thrombosis, and the difference between compartment syndrome and ordinary postoperative swelling.
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50 questions · page 2 of 3
- A. Insert a ruler carefully under the cast
- B. Use a cool hair dryer on the lowest setting
- C. Pour talcum powder inside the cast
- D. Scratch the skin with a sterile needle
Explanation: Cool air from a hair dryer may reduce itching without injuring the skin.
Correct answer: Use a cool hair dryer on the lowest setting- A. Mild soreness when the arm is moved
- B. Increasing numbness in the affected hand
- C. Small bruises near the elbow
- D. Mild swelling that improves with elevation
Explanation: Increasing numbness can indicate nerve compression or worsening neurovascular impairment after reduction.
Correct answer: Increasing numbness in the affected hand- A. Encourage bed rest for the next 24 hours
- B. Apply a warm pack to the lower back
- C. Report the findings immediately to the provider
- D. Teach the patient to perform back-strengthening exercises
Explanation: Saddle numbness with urinary difficulty suggests possible cauda equina compression, which can cause permanent neurological damage.
Correct answer: Report the findings immediately to the provider- A. Encourage regular low-impact exercise
- B. Maintain complete bed rest during painful periods
- C. Avoid all use of the affected joints
- D. Recommend prolonged high-impact running
Explanation: Low-impact exercise helps maintain joint movement, muscle strength, and function without excessive joint stress.
Correct answer: Encourage regular low-impact exercise- A. Apply prescribed warm moist heat before activity
- B. Keep the joints completely still throughout the day
- C. Apply an ice pack before every movement
- D. Encourage strenuous exercise immediately after waking
Explanation: Warm moist heat can reduce stiffness and make movement easier before activity.
Correct answer: Apply prescribed warm moist heat before activity- A. To maintain joint movement and reduce stiffness
- B. To replace the need for prescribed analgesics
- C. To provide complete weight-bearing exercise
- D. To prevent all postoperative wound drainage
Explanation: Continuous passive motion gently moves the knee to support range of motion and reduce stiffness during early recovery.
Correct answer: To maintain joint movement and reduce stiffness- A. Massage the calf to improve circulation
- B. Encourage vigorous walking immediately
- C. Keep the patient in bed and notify the provider
- D. Apply a tight bandage around the swollen leg
Explanation: New unilateral calf pain and swelling may indicate deep vein thrombosis, so the patient should remain at rest and receive prompt medical…
Correct answer: Keep the patient in bed and notify the provider- A. Restrict oral fluids to reduce bedpan use
- B. Encourage fluids, fibre, and prescribed activity
- C. Give repeated laxatives without an assessment
- D. Keep the patient fasting until bowel movement occurs
Explanation: Immobility, reduced fluid intake, and analgesics commonly contribute to constipation, so fluids, dietary fibre, and permitted activity are…
Correct answer: Encourage fluids, fibre, and prescribed activity- A. I will keep the cast dry and inspect the skin around it
- B. I will trim the cast if it feels tight
- C. I will walk on it whenever the pain decreases
- D. I will cover a wet cast with plastic until it dries
Explanation: Keeping the cast dry and checking exposed skin helps prevent skin breakdown and cast damage.
Correct answer: I will keep the cast dry and inspect the skin around it- A. Capillary refill of two seconds in the toes
- B. Warm skin with equal pedal pulses
- C. New inability to dorsiflex the foot
- D. Mild swelling around the fracture site
Explanation: New loss of movement may indicate nerve or muscle compromise and requires prompt assessment.
Correct answer: New inability to dorsiflex the foot- A. Clean each pin site using aseptic technique
- B. Apply petroleum jelly around every pin
- C. Remove the weights during routine hygiene
- D. Cover the pin sites with a wet dressing
Explanation: Aseptic pin-site care reduces the risk of introducing bacteria along the pin tract.
Correct answer: Clean each pin site using aseptic technique- A. Ask the patient to sit upright slowly
- B. Maintain manual alignment of the head and neck
- C. Place a pillow beneath the patient's neck
- D. Encourage active neck movement to assess pain
Explanation: Maintaining neutral spinal alignment protects the spinal cord from further injury.
Correct answer: Maintain manual alignment of the head and neck- A. Mild bruising near the incision
- B. Small amount of clear drainage
- C. Increasing redness with purulent drainage
- D. Moderate pain during prescribed exercises
Explanation: Increasing redness with purulent drainage suggests bacterial infection and requires prompt reporting.
Correct answer: Increasing redness with purulent drainage- A. Repeated active range-of-motion exercises
- B. Forceful massage over the fracture site
- C. Prolonged flexion of the affected knee
- D. Complete bed rest without limb movement
Explanation: Active range-of-motion exercises in permitted joints help maintain muscle strength, joint mobility and venous circulation.
Correct answer: Repeated active range-of-motion exercises- A. I should avoid all walking to protect my bones
- B. I should perform regular weight-bearing exercise as advised
- C. I should exercise only when a fracture causes pain
- D. I should use vigorous twisting exercises every day
Explanation: Regular weight-bearing activity, such as walking when safe, supports bone strength and balance.
Correct answer: I should perform regular weight-bearing exercise as advised- A. Offer oral fluids to improve alertness
- B. Place the patient flat and leave the room
- C. Assess the airway and support breathing
- D. Give the next prescribed analgesic dose
Explanation: Airway and breathing take priority because respiratory depression is a potentially life-threatening opioid effect.
Correct answer: Assess the airway and support breathing- A. Straighten the arm forcefully before applying support
- B. Immobilize the joints above and below the fracture
- C. Apply deep pressure directly over the fracture
- D. Ask the patient to move the arm to test stability
Explanation: Immobilizing the joints above and below limits movement, pain and further tissue damage.
Correct answer: Immobilize the joints above and below the fracture- A. To replace all active muscle exercises
- B. To maintain knee movement and reduce stiffness
- C. To keep the knee completely straight for healing
- D. To provide resistance training for the quadriceps
Explanation: Continuous passive motion gently moves the knee to help preserve range of motion and reduce stiffness.
Correct answer: To maintain knee movement and reduce stiffness- A. Place the patient flat and give a sedative
- B. Sit the patient upright and assess for a trigger
- C. Encourage the patient to walk in the corridor
- D. Apply a warm blanket to the lower limbs
Explanation: These findings suggest autonomic dysreflexia, a medical emergency caused by an irritating stimulus below the spinal injury, commonly…
Correct answer: Sit the patient upright and assess for a trigger- A. The weights rest on the floor beside the bed
- B. The ropes remain aligned with the pulleys
- C. The knots touch the pulley during movement
- D. The affected leg is placed across the midline
Explanation: The ropes should move freely through aligned pulleys, and the weights must hang freely without touching the floor or bed.
Correct answer: The ropes remain aligned with the pulleys