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OMSB 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 OMSB nursing 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 OMSB musculoskeletal, skin & wound care questions
1. Which dressing type is most suitable for a heavily exuding wound?
- A. A hydrogel sheet
- B. An absorbent dressing such as alginate or foam
- C. A transparent film dressing
- D. A thin hydrocolloid dressing
Show answer and rationale
Alginates and foams absorb large amounts of exudate; transparent films, hydrogels and thin hydrocolloids suit wounds with little or no exudate.
Reference: Potter & Perry – wound dressings
2. A patient is admitted with cellulitis of the lower leg. Which nursing action helps monitor progression?
- A. Keep the leg dependent
- B. Mark the borders of the redness and elevate the leg
- C. Apply a tight compression bandage over the area
- D. Massage the area to reduce swelling
Show answer and rationale
Marking the margin of erythema shows whether infection is spreading or improving; elevation reduces swelling. Spreading redness or systemic signs are reported.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – cellulitis
3. Which intervention helps prevent pressure injuries in a patient confined to bed?
- A. Keeping the head of the bed at 60 degrees at all times
- B. Using ring-shaped (donut) cushions
- C. Repositioning regularly and keeping the head of the bed at 30 degrees or lower when possible
- D. Massaging reddened bony prominences firmly
Show answer and rationale
Regular repositioning and limiting head elevation reduce pressure and shear; massaging red areas and donut cushions can cause more tissue damage.
Reference: NPIAP pressure injury prevention guidelines
4. When cleaning a surgical incision, which technique is correct?
- A. Clean from the incision outward, using a new swab for each stroke
- B. Scrub the incision vigorously with a dry swab
- C. Clean from the outer skin toward the incision
- D. Use the same swab back and forth along the wound
Show answer and rationale
Cleaning from the least contaminated area (the incision) outwards, with a new swab each stroke, prevents bringing organisms into the wound.
Reference: Potter & Perry – wound care
5. A patient has circumferential full-thickness burns of the arm. Which assessment is most important?
- A. The patient's hand dominance
- B. Distal circulation, including pulses and capillary refill
- C. Skin colour of the unburned arm
- D. Hair growth on the arm
Show answer and rationale
Circumferential eschar can constrict circulation like a tourniquet, and escharotomy may be required if distal perfusion is compromised.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – burns
Study tip
Severe pain not relieved by analgesia after a fracture or cast is a red flag for compartment syndrome.
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