Musculoskeletal

Question 1

What are the two most common musculoskeletal concerns that cause people to seek care

Answer 1

• Joint pain

- Loss of function

Question 2

What is the way to differentiate rheumatoid arthritis compared to other musculoskeletal illnesses

Answer 2

Rheumatoid: symmetrical, involve same joints on both sides
Other: unilateral or isolated joints

Question 3

Why would we ask patient what the pain feels like (aching, stiff, sharp or dull)?

Answer 3

Exquisite tenderness occurs with acute inflammation

Question 4

When is the worst time of day for pain in: rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and tendinitis?

Answer 4

Rheumatoid: morning on arising
Osteoarthritis: later in day
Tendinitis: morning but improves during the day

Question 5

Why would we ask a patient if their joint pain is aggravated by movement, rest, position or weather?

Answer 5

Movement increases most joint pain EXCEPT in rheumatoid arthritis (movement decreases pain)

Question 6

Why would we ask a patient whether their joint pain is associated with chills, fever, sore throat, etc?

Answer 6

Because joint pain 10-14 days after an untreated streptococcal infection can mean rheumatic fever

Question 7

Decreases in ROM can be caused by?

Answer 7

Joint injury to cartilage or the capsule, or muscle contracture

Question 8

What is myalgia?

Answer 8

Muscle pain

Question 9

Myalgia is usually felt how?

Answer 9

Cramping or aching

Question 10

Why would we ask a patient how long they have had the muscle pain and if it is associated with fatigue

Answer 10

Widespread musculoskeletal pain lasting more than 3 months can allude to fibromyalgia

Question 11

What can calf pain mean?

Answer 11

Intermittent Claudication (a condition in which cramping pain in the leg is induced by exercise, typically because of obstruction in the arteries)

Question 12

Why would we ask our patient if their muscle aches are associated with fever, chills and the flu?

Answer 12

Symptoms of viral illness often include myalgia

Question 13

Weakness in muscles can be because of which two systems?

Answer 13

Musculoskeletal or neurological

Question 14

What does decrease in muscle size usually mean?

Answer 14

Atrophy

Question 15

What is functional assessment of the musculoskeletal system for?

Answer 15

To assess the safety of independent living, the need for home health care services and quality of living

Question 16

What are we assessing when asking if joints limit bathing?

Answer 16

To assess self care deficit

Question 17

What are we assessing when we ask if their joints affect their mobility

Answer 17

Assessing for impairment in physical mobility

Question 18

What are we assessing when we ask if their joints are affecting their communicating (talking, writing, etc)

Answer 18

Assess for impairment of verbal communication

Question 19

What are we assessing when asking if there are any occupational hazards such as heavy lifting or repetitive motions/chronic stress on joints

Answer 19

Assessing for risk of back pain or carpel tunnel syndrome

Question 20

What are we assessing when we ask a patient about their exercise?

Answer 20

Assessing for self-care behaviours

Question 21

If patient has a chronic disability or crippling illness, when we ask if it has effected interactions with friends/family and view of self, what are we assessing for?

Answer 21

• Self-esteem disturbances
• Loss of independence
• Body image disturbances
• Role performance disturbances
• Social Isolation