Orthopaedic Nurse Test Orthopaedic Nurse Test Surgical Procedures & Perioperative Care 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which nerve is most at risk during anterior approach total hip arthroplasty?
- Sciatic nerve
- Femoral nerve
- Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (Correct answer)
- Obturator nerve
Correct answer: Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve
The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is most vulnerable during the anterior approach THA due to its proximity to the incision site, risking meralgia paresthetica.
Question 2: The neurovascular assessment '5 Ps' for a casted extremity includes pain, pallor, pulselessness, paresthesia, and which fifth component?
- Perspiration
- Paralysis (Correct answer)
- Pressure
- Petechiae
Correct answer: Paralysis
The 5 Ps of neurovascular assessment are Pain, Pallor, Pulselessness, Paresthesia, and Paralysis, guiding early detection of vascular compromise or compartment syndrome.
Question 3: A patient who had an ORIF (open reduction internal fixation) of the femur develops a fever on postoperative day 3. What is the most common cause at this stage?
- Surgical site infection
- Pulmonary embolism
- Atelectasis (Correct answer)
- Deep vein thrombosis
Correct answer: Atelectasis
Fever on postoperative days 1–3 is most commonly caused by atelectasis due to shallow breathing; infection typically presents after day 5.
Question 4: What type of traction uses skin tape or foam applied to the skin to exert pulling force on a limb?
- Skeletal traction
- Skin traction (Correct answer)
- Manual traction
- Bryant traction
Correct answer: Skin traction
Skin traction applies pulling force through adhesive tapes or foam boots attached to the skin and is suitable for short-term use with lower weight limits.
Question 5: Which position is typically required for a patient undergoing posterior lumbar spine surgery?
- Supine with arms extended
- Lateral decubitus with knees flexed
- Prone with abdomen free of pressure (Correct answer)
- Sitting upright in a frame
Correct answer: Prone with abdomen free of pressure
Posterior lumbar spine surgery is performed with the patient prone on a frame that allows the abdomen to hang freely, reducing epidural venous pressure and blood loss.
Question 6: Heterotopic ossification following total hip replacement is best detected by which diagnostic method?
- MRI of the hip
- Plain X-ray of the pelvis (Correct answer)
- CT angiogram
- Bone biopsy
Correct answer: Plain X-ray of the pelvis
Heterotopic ossification (abnormal bone formation in soft tissue around the hip) is detected on plain radiographs and graded using the Brooker classification.
Orthopaedic Nurse Test Orthopaedic Nurse Test Surgical Procedures & Perioperative Care 2
Which nerve is most at risk during anterior approach total hip arthroplasty?