Exam 2 - General ortho considerations

Question 1

What is the role of the nurse practitioner in the primary care setting for patients who come in with ortho complaints?

Answer 1

Rule out if non-muculoskeletal or systemic cause

Question 2

What mnemonic can be used to complete a musculoskeletal assessment? What does it stand for?

Answer 2

S: visual scan or survey of region

M: motion completed by patient (active ROM)

A: assissted motion completed (passive ROM)

R: resisted testing of muscles

T: tests that are special

Question 3

Indications for imaging with an ortho case

Answer 3

• Suspicion of non-MSK cause
• Trauma + functional loss
• Failed conservative measures
• Patient insistence

Question 4

Indications for physical therapy

Answer 4

• Traumatic disorder with mild-moderate functional loss
• Chronic postural pain disorders
• Recurrent pain disorders
• Mechanical MSK disorders
• Early nerve entrapment
• Symptomatic joint degeneration

Question 5

Indication for orthopedic referral

Answer 5

• Obvious tissue disruption
• Trauma with significant loss of function
• Continued functional deficit or pain after 6 weeks
• Recurrent dislocation or subluxation
• Need for joint injection
• Failure of conservative measures
• Patient insistence