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DHA Musculoskeletal, Skin & Wound Care Practice Questions
This topic covers fractures, orthopaedic surgery, pressure injuries and wound healing, including burns. Below are 5 free sample questions for the DHA Registered Nurse exam, each with the answer and a rationale.
What this topic covers
- Neurovascular checks and compartment syndrome
- Hip fracture and hip replacement precautions
- Pressure-injury staging
- Wound assessment and healing
- Burns: rule of nines and Parkland formula
- Mobility aids and amputation care
The full bank has 70 musculoskeletal, skin & wound care questions, part of 1,500 questions across 16 nursing topics.
Free DHA musculoskeletal, skin & wound care questions
1. A patient reports pain in the foot that was amputated. What is the most appropriate response?
- A. Tell the patient the pain is imaginary
- B. Document it as confusion
- C. Advise the patient to ignore it
- D. Acknowledge that phantom limb pain is real and give prescribed analgesia
Show answer and rationale
Phantom limb pain is a real, common phenomenon and should be assessed and treated like any other pain.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – amputation
2. Which measure helps prevent venous thromboembolism after hip or knee replacement surgery?
- A. Early mobilisation and prescribed prophylactic anticoagulation
- B. Placing pillows under the knees continuously
- C. Keeping the patient on bed rest for a week
- D. Massaging the calves firmly
Show answer and rationale
Orthopaedic surgery carries high VTE risk; early mobilisation, leg exercises, mechanical devices and prophylactic anticoagulants reduce it. Calf massage could dislodge a clot.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – venous thromboembolism prevention
3. Which is usually the earliest sign of compartment syndrome?
- A. Black discolouration of the toes
- B. Complete paralysis of the limb
- C. Absent distal pulses
- D. Pain out of proportion to the injury, increased by passive stretch
Show answer and rationale
Severe pain unrelieved by usual analgesia and worsened by passive stretching of the muscles is the earliest sign; absent pulses occur late.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – compartment syndrome
4. A patient returns from an above-knee amputation and the dressing suddenly becomes soaked with bright red blood. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Elevate the head of the bed
- B. Record the finding at the next routine observation
- C. Apply direct pressure and call for urgent medical help
- D. Remove the dressing to inspect the wound
Show answer and rationale
Haemorrhage is a life-threatening early complication; direct pressure is applied and help summoned. A tourniquet should be available at the bedside for severe bleeding.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – amputation
5. A patient rescued from a house fire has singed nasal hairs, soot around the mouth and a hoarse voice. What is the nursing priority?
- A. Cleaning the facial burns
- B. Giving oral fluids to soothe the throat
- C. Calculating the percentage of burned skin
- D. Airway assessment and preparation for early intubation
Show answer and rationale
These are signs of inhalation injury; airway oedema can develop rapidly, so the airway takes priority and early intubation may be needed.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – burns inhalation injury
Study tip
Severe pain not relieved by analgesia after a fracture or cast is a red flag for compartment syndrome.
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