Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

In a patient with a knee injury, which symptom is most characteristic of a Grade II sprain?

1. Severe joint instability

2. Partial tearing of ligaments

3. Complete ligament rupture

4. No pain present

The correct answer is: Partial tearing of ligaments

A Grade II sprain is characterized by partial tearing of the ligaments, which leads to some degree of instability and tenderness of the joint affected. This type of sprain typically presents with moderate swelling, bruising, and pain that is more severe than in a Grade I sprain, where there is only stretching of the ligaments without any tearing. While there may be some instability in a Grade II sprain, it is not as severe as in a Grade III sprain, which involves a complete rupture of the ligaments. Although pain is present, it is generally not absent in this type of injury; instead, it is typically accompanied by swelling and limited range of motion.