Musculoskeletal System Assessment and Nursing Management

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering anatomy, physical assessment, diagnostics, and management of musculoskeletal conditions.

Hematopoiesis

The production of blood cells that occurs in the red bone marrow.

Osteoblasts

Bone-forming cells that function in bone formation and provide the framework for inorganic salt deposition.

Osteocytes

Mature bone cells located in lacunae that function in bone maintenance.

Osteoclasts

Multinuclear bone-destroying cells located in Howship's lacuna that function in destroying, resorbing, and remodeling bone.

Synarthrosis

An immovable joint, such as the sutures of the cranium.

Amphiarthrosis

A joint that permits limited movement, such as the pelvic joint.

Diarthrosis

Freely movable synovial joints, including ball and socket, hinge, saddle, pivot, and gliding joints.

Ligaments

Fibrous connective tissue structures that connect bone to bone to stabilize joints.

Tendons

Fibrous connective tissue structures that attach muscle to bone.

Sarcomere

The contractile unit of skeletal muscle containing actin and myosin.

5 P's of Circulatory Checks

The key neurovascular assessment parameters: Pain, Paresthesia, Paralysis, Pulse, and Pallor.

Kyphosis

An increased forward thoracic curvature of the spine, frequently producing a stooped or hunchback posture.

Lordosis

An exaggerated inward curvature of the lumbar spine.

Scoliosis

An abnormal lateral curvature of the spine.

Osteoporosis

A progressive metabolic bone disorder in which the rate of osteoclastic bone resorption exceeds osteoblastic bone formation, resulting in porous, fragile bones.

Calcium Carbonate Administration

A supplemental calcium medication that must be taken with food to utilize stomach hydrochloric acid for absorption and requires high fluid intake to prevent kidney stones.

Osteoarthritis

A slowly progressive noninflammatory disorder of synovial joints caused by cartilage destruction, leading to asymmetrical joint involvement, crepitation, and Heberden's or Bouchard's nodes.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

A chronic, systemic autoimmune disease characterized by symmetric inflammation of synovial joints, morning stiffness, and subcutaneous rheumatoid nodules.

Swan-Neck Deformity

A joint manifestation seen in rheumatoid arthritis characterized by hyperextension of the proximal interphalangeal joint and flexion of the distal interphalangeal joint.

Sjogren's Syndrome

An autoimmune disorder secondary to rheumatoid arthritis characterized by diminished lacrimal and salivary gland secretion, resulting in dry eyes and dry mouth.

Felty Syndrome

A severe form of rheumatoid arthritis characterized by inflammatory disorders, splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, pulmonary disease, and blood dyscrasias.

Osteomyelitis

An infection of bone tissue primarily caused by Staphylococcus aureus ($70\%$ to $80\%$ of cases), requiring intravenous antibiotic therapy for $4$ to $6\text{ weeks}$.

Sequestrum

A piece of dead bone tissue that separates from living bone during osteomyelitis, encased in pus and impenetrable by antibiotics and white blood cells.

Paget's Disease

A chronic bone disease characterized by rapid excessive bone breakdown followed by disorganized rebuilding of soft bone, strongly linked to genetic transmission and presenting primarily with severe deep bone pain.

Bone Biopsy

The definitive diagnostic procedure required to determine whether a bone tumor is benign or malignant.

Grade III Open Fracture

A highly contaminated open fracture with severe soft tissue damage and a wound larger than $1\text{ cm}$.

Remodeling

The final stage of fracture repair where newly formed bone is restructured into its former structural arrangement.

Compartment Syndrome

A condition caused by muscle swelling within a fascial compartment leading to compression of nerves and blood vessels.

Phalen's Test

A diagnostic maneuver for carpal tunnel syndrome where compressing the median nerve for $1$ to $1.5\text{ minutes}$ reproduces pain or paresthesia.

Cullen's Sign

A bluish discoloration surrounding the umbilicus indicating peritoneal bleeding, seen in acute pancreatitis or ectopic pregnancy.

Etidronate (Didronel)

A bisphosphonate medication used for Paget's disease that must be taken on an empty stomach $1$ to $2\text{ hours}$ after breakfast, requiring the patient to remain sitting upright for $2$ to $3\text{ hours}$ after administration.

Postoperative Hip Replacement Precautions

Positioning precautions to prevent prosthetic dislocation, including keeping the leg abducted with a pillow, avoiding hip flexion beyond $90^\circ$, and preventing internal rotation or crossing legs.

Plantar Fasciitis

An inflammatory condition of the foot sole causing heel pain, commonly affecting runners, joggers, and obese individuals.