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DOH 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 DOH 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 DOH musculoskeletal, skin & wound care questions
1. What is the recommended initial treatment for an acute soft-tissue injury such as an ankle sprain?
- A. Tight splinting and keeping the limb dependent
- B. Heat, massage and immediate exercise
- C. Hot soaks and full weight-bearing
- D. Rest, ice, compression and elevation
Show answer and rationale
RICE reduces swelling and pain in the first 24–48 hours; ice is wrapped in a cloth and applied for about 15–20 minutes at a time.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – soft-tissue injuries
2. Which joint is most commonly affected in an acute attack of gout?
- A. The shoulder
- B. The first metatarsophalangeal joint (big toe)
- C. The hip
- D. The temporomandibular joint
Show answer and rationale
The big toe joint is the classic site of acute gout, which causes sudden severe pain, redness and swelling.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – gout
3. Which description matches a full-thickness (third-degree) burn?
- A. Red, painful skin without blisters
- B. Mild redness that fades within a day
- C. Moist, pink blistered skin that is very painful
- D. Dry, leathery, white or charred skin with little pain in the burned area
Show answer and rationale
Full-thickness burns destroy the nerve endings, so the area is often painless, dry and leathery; partial-thickness burns are moist, blistered and very painful.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – burns
4. A patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is being discharged. Which teaching is most important to help prevent flares of the skin rash?
- A. Apply heat packs to the face each day
- B. Use high-factor sunscreen and limit time in direct sunlight
- C. Use a tanning bed rather than natural sunlight
- D. Stop hydroxychloroquine as soon as the rash fades
Show answer and rationale
Ultraviolet light commonly triggers SLE skin rashes and systemic flares, so sun protection is essential; tanning beds also give UV exposure. Prescribed medicines should not be stopped without medical advice.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – systemic lupus erythematosus
5. Which dietary advice is appropriate for a patient with gout?
- A. Increase organ meats to build strength
- B. Eat a high-purine diet with beer
- C. Limit alcohol, red meat, organ meats and shellfish, and drink plenty of water
- D. Restrict water intake
Show answer and rationale
Reducing purine-rich foods and alcohol (especially beer) and maintaining good fluid intake lowers uric acid levels and helps prevent attacks and stones.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – gout
Study tip
Severe pain not relieved by analgesia after a fracture or cast is a red flag for compartment syndrome.
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