Practice Question
When assessing the musculoskeletal system of an aging adult, which finding is unexpected and should be reported?
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Tremors at rest
Rationale:
🔶 Tremors at rest are not a normal age-related change and may indicate Parkinson’s disease or other neurologic disorders.
🔶 Resting tremors typically occur when the muscles are at rest and may improve with intentional movement, distinguishing them from other tremor types.
🔶 In an older adult, a new or worsening resting tremor can impact mobility, self-care, and safety, especially with gait and fine motor tasks.
🔶 This finding suggests a possible underlying neurologic pathology that requires further evaluation by the provider.
🔶 Because it can affect function and quality of life, and may respond to specific treatments, it should be reported and investigated.
Decreased muscle strength
🔶 Decreased muscle strength is a common and expected finding with aging due to sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass) and decreased physical activity.
🔶 While it increases fall risk and functional decline, it typically occurs gradually over time and is part of the normal aging process.
🔶 The nurse should still promote exercise, resistance training, and safety, but mild to moderate strength loss alone is not an “unexpected” finding.
🔶 It becomes more concerning when there is sudden, asymmetric, or focal weakness, which might imply neurologic or acute pathology.
🔶 As described, simple decreased strength is expected and manageable, not an urgent abnormality.
Osteoarthritis in weight-bearing joints
🔶 Osteoarthritis (OA) in weight-bearing joints such as hips, knees, and spine is very common in older adults due to years of wear and tear.
🔶 Typical manifestations include joint stiffness, pain with movement, and reduced flexibility, especially after periods of inactivity.
🔶 While OA can cause significant discomfort and disability, its presence in older adults is an expected age-related change rather than an unexpected finding.
🔶 Management focuses on pain control, mobility support, weight management, and physical therapy.
🔶 Thus, OA itself does not need to be “reported as unexpected,” unless symptoms are severe, sudden, or accompanied by other alarming signs.
Reduced range of motion
🔶 Reduced range of motion (ROM) is often seen in older adults due to joint degeneration, decreased activity, and soft tissue changes.
🔶 It can result from arthritis, muscle stiffness, or prior injuries, and is frequently part of the normal aging process.
🔶 The nurse should still encourage ROM exercises, physical activity, and safety, but some reduction is expected.
🔶 This finding only becomes especially concerning if acutely new, painful, or associated with trauma or infection.
🔶 As presented, reduced ROM alone is not as unexpected as a resting tremor.
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This question is from Custom Holistic Assessment Exam 3 which contains 50 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN ATI MedSurg
- Answer Choices: 4