Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse (CNRN) Practice Exam

Severe sharp pain with passive hip flexion may indicate what condition?

1. Hip fracture

2. Labral tear

3. Pelvic injury

4. Hip bursitis

The correct answer is: Hip fracture

Severe sharp pain with passive hip flexion is highly indicative of a hip fracture. In patients with a hip fracture, the movement of the hip, particularly when the joint is flexed without active engagement, can elicit significant pain due to the instability and damage to the bone and surrounding soft tissues. The sharp pain occurs because the fractured bones can irritate surrounding nerves and tissues, and the movement puts stress on the injured area. Other conditions, while they might cause discomfort, typically present with different pain characteristics or responses to movement. For example, a labral tear may cause pain but is more often associated with a catching or locking sensation rather than a sharp pain directly upon passive movement. Pelvic injuries can produce generalized pain in the region but are usually less specific to hip flexion alone. Hip bursitis tends to present with localized pain usually in response to specific movements or pressure, rather than the sharp, severe pain noted with passive flexion typical of a fracture.