During an examination, the nurse asks a patient to bend forward ...

[LCritchfi]

During an examination, the nurse asks a patient to bend forward from the waist and notices that the patient has lateral tilting. When his leg is raised straight up, the patient complains of a pain going down his buttock into his leg. The nurse suspects:
 
  a. Scoliosis.
  b. Meniscus tear.
  c. Herniated nucleus pulposus.
  d. Spasm of paravertebral muscles.

Question 2

The nurse has completed the musculoskeletal examination of a patient's knee and has found a positive bulge sign. The nurse interprets this finding to indicate:
 
  a. Irregular bony margins.
  b. Soft-tissue swelling in the joint.
  c. Swelling from fluid in the epicondyle.
  d. Swelling from fluid in the suprapatellar pouch.

[spencer.martell]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Lateral tilting and sciatic pain with straight leg raising are findings that occur with a herniated nucleus pulposus. The other options are not correct.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
A positive bulge sign confirms the presence of swelling caused by fluid in the suprapatellar pouch. The other options are not correct.