NCLEX : NCLEX

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for NCLEX

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #501 : Nclex

What is the large, fan-like ridge of bone that can be palpated just below the waist?

Possible Answers:

The anterior inferior iliac spine

The anterior superior iliac spine

The greater sciatic notch

The iliac crest

Correct answer:

The iliac crest

Explanation:

The large, fan-like ridge of bone that can be felt just under the waist is the iliac crest. The anterior superior iliac spine and the anterior inferior iliac spine are smaller protuberances on the ilium that are important landmarks for assessing malpositions of the bones of the sacroiliac joint. The greater sciatic notch is in the posterior ilium and serves as a passage for several muscles and nerves of the pelvic girdle.

Example Question #502 : Nclex

The head of the femur rests in what bony feature of the pelvis?

Possible Answers:

The acetabulum

The obturator foramen

The pubic tubercle

The pubic symphysis

Correct answer:

The acetabulum

Explanation:

The head of the femur rests in the acetabulum, a bony socket on the lateral pelvis that is formed by all three bones of the innominate (the ischium, ilium, and the pubis). The pubic symphysis is a midline cartilaginous joint between the pubic bones. The obturator foramen is an opening in the innominate through which multiple nerves and vessels pass. The pubic tubercle is a bony projection on the pubis that serves as an attachment point for inguinal ligament.

Example Question #13 : Musculoskeletal System And Anatomy

What bone of the foot forms the heel?

Possible Answers:

The navicular

The talus

The cuboid

The calcaneus

Correct answer:

The calcaneus

Explanation:

All of the bones listed form the posterior portion of the foot. The largest bone in the foot is the calcaneus. It forms the heel and articulates with the bones of the ankle.

Example Question #14 : Musculoskeletal System And Anatomy

What is the name for the bones that form the anterior portion of the foot (but not the toes)?

Possible Answers:

The metatarsals

The metacarpals

The carpals

The phalanges

Correct answer:

The metatarsals

Explanation:

The bones that form the anterior half of the foot (but not the toes) are the metatarsals. These are mirrored in the metacarpal bones of the hand. The carpal bones form the wrist, and the phalanges form the toes and the fingers.

Example Question #501 : Nclex

Which of the following bones does not form part of the pelvis?

Possible Answers:

The ileum

The pubis

The ischium

The ilium

The sacrum

Correct answer:

The ileum

Explanation:

The pelvis is formed by the sacrum and coccyx and the three bones that come together to form the innominate: the ilium, ischium, and the pubis. The ileum is a part of the small intestine. 

Example Question #501 : Nclex

Which of the following structures passes through the superior orbital fissure?

Possible Answers:

The ophthalmic nerve (cranial nerve V, branch V1)

All of these

The superior and inferior divisions of oculomotor nerve (cranial nerve III)

The trochlear nerve (cranial nerve IV)

The abducens nerve (cranial nerve VI)

Correct answer:

All of these

Explanation:

The superior orbital fissure, an opening in the back of the orbit formed by the lesser and greater wings of the sphenoid bone, has several important structures passing through it. These include the ophthalmic nerve (CN V1), the abducens nerve (CN VI), the trochlear nerve (CN IV), and the superior and inferior divisions of oculomotor nerve (CN III). It also transmits various blood vessels and the sympathetic fivers from the cavernous plexus. Injury to this area can cause a wide range of ocular pathologies including pain, diplopia, ptosis, exophthalmos, and vision impairment or vision loss.

Example Question #505 : Nclex

Which of the following is not a fossa of the scapula?

Possible Answers:

The subscapular fossa

The infraspinatus fossa

The suprascapular fossa 

The supraspinous fossa

Correct answer:

The suprascapular fossa 

Explanation:

The scapula has multiple fossa that serve as attachment points of various bones and muscles of the shoulder. Among these are the glenoid fossa, where the head of the humerus articulates with the scapula, the subscapular fossa, which is an attachment for the subscapularis muscle, the infraspinous fossa, to which the infraspinatus attaches, and the supraspinous fossa, to which the supraspinatus muscle attaches. There is no suprascapular fossa on the scapula.

Example Question #22 : Bone Identification

What is the name of the bone that forms the lower part of the jaw?

Possible Answers:

The zygomatic bone

The maxilla

The frontal bone

The mandible

Correct answer:

The mandible

Explanation:

The bone that forms the lower part of the jaw is the mandible. It is the largest and most inferior bone in the face, and articulates with the temporal bones at the temporomandibular joints. The maxilla forms the upper jaw, while the zygomatic bone forms the cheek and part of the orbit.

Example Question #506 : Nclex

All of the following bones of the skull help form the orbit except __________.

Possible Answers:

The temporal bone

the sphenoid

the palatine bone

the maxilla

Correct answer:

The temporal bone

Explanation:

The orbit is formed by the following bones: the maxilla, the zygomatic bone, the frontal bone, the lacrimal bone, the ethmoid, the sphenoid, and the palatine bone. The temporal bone meets the zygomatic and sphenoid but does not form part of the orbit.

Example Question #507 : Nclex

All of the following bones form the nasal cavity except __________.

Possible Answers:

the vomer

the maxilla

the nasal bone

the sphenoid

Correct answer:

the sphenoid

Explanation:

The nasal cavity is formed by the following bones: the maxilla, the vomer, the nasal bone, the palatine bones, the lacrimal bone, and the ethmoid bone. It is also formed by the nasal conchae and the septal cartilage. The sphenoid forms part of the orbit and multiple sinuses but does not form any art of the nasal cavity directly.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors