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Qatar DHP 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 Qatar DHP (QCHP) nursing qualifying 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 Qatar DHP musculoskeletal, skin & wound care questions
1. How should a nurse handle a wet plaster cast?
- A. With the palms of the hands
- B. By holding it only at the joints
- C. With the fingertips
- D. By gripping the edges firmly
Show answer and rationale
Handling a wet plaster cast with the palms prevents fingertip indentations that can create pressure points on the skin.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – cast care
2. What is the main principle of modern wound dressing selection for most healing wounds?
- A. Keep the wound bed completely dry
- B. Maintain a moist but not wet wound environment
- C. Change dressings every hour
- D. Leave all wounds open to the air
Show answer and rationale
A moist wound environment supports cell migration and healing; excess moisture is managed with absorbent dressings to prevent maceration.
Reference: Potter & Perry – wound dressings
3. Which type of exercise is most beneficial for a patient at risk of osteoporosis?
- A. Seated breathing exercises
- B. Complete rest to protect the bones
- C. Weight-bearing exercise such as walking
- D. Swimming only
Show answer and rationale
Weight-bearing and resistance exercise stimulate bone formation; swimming is good exercise but does not load bones as effectively.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – osteoporosis
4. A patient's Braden Scale score has dropped from 18 to 11. How should the nurse interpret this?
- A. No action is needed as the score is normal
- B. The patient's risk of pressure injury has increased significantly
- C. The patient's nutrition has improved
- D. The patient's risk of pressure injury has decreased
Show answer and rationale
On the Braden Scale lower scores mean higher risk; a score of 12 or less indicates high risk and needs a prevention plan.
Reference: Potter & Perry – Braden Scale
5. A patient with a new forearm cast reports severe pain unrelieved by opioids and tingling in the fingers. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Elevate the arm well above heart level and reassess in two hours
- B. Notify the doctor immediately and prepare to have the cast split or bivalved
- C. Apply ice packs directly to the fingers
- D. Give another dose of analgesia and document
Show answer and rationale
These signs suggest compartment syndrome, a surgical emergency; the limb is kept at heart level (not elevated above it) and the cast is loosened or split urgently.
Reference: Lewis Medical-Surgical Nursing – compartment syndrome
Study tip
Severe pain not relieved by analgesia after a fracture or cast is a red flag for compartment syndrome.
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