ONC® Certification case studies
ONC · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The ONC® (Orthopaedic Nurse Certified) credential is awarded by the Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board (ONCB), an independent certification body. ONCB describes the ONC certification program as one that "advances the care of the orthopaedic patient and promotes excellence in specialty nursing practice," and states that the exam was "written for nurses by nurses based on analysis of real orthopaedic nurses' practice." The credential is intended for nurses practicing in orthopaedic settings who want to demonstrate specialty knowledge; ONCB notes the ONC credential is recognized by colleagues and employers as a mark of excellence and shows the certificant is "educated, engaged, and committed to providing the highest quality care to your patients." This page does not restate the exam's content outline - candidates should consult ONCB's own Exam Description page for the current blueprint, since ONCB does not publish the detailed domain breakdown on its landing page. The ONC case studies are 5 cases and about 3,255 words.
1Sudden Leg Deformity After Posterior Total Hip Arthroplasty
R, 62 years old (BMI 34, OSA, on CPAP), is 8 hours after a right total hip arthroplasty through a posterior approach under spinal anesthesia. She has a femoral nerve block and a hydromorphone PCA.
720 words, about 4 min2Restlessness and Petechiae After Femoral Nailing
K, 24, crashed his motorcycle and sustained a closed right femoral shaft fracture and a stable L2 compression fracture. He underwent intramedullary nailing 14 hours ago.
629 words, about 3 min3Escalating Pain in a Casted Tibial Shaft Fracture
A, 34, is admitted with a closed tibial shaft fracture after a soccer collision. He has a long leg cast and a morphine PCA.
630 words, about 3 min4Hypotension and Bradycardia After a C6 Diving Injury
T, 28, dove into shallow water and sustained a C6 ASIA A tetraplegia. She also has a stable pelvic ring fracture from the same injury.
621 words, about 3 min5Delirium in an Older Adult With a Hip Fracture on Apixaban
L, 78, fell at home and has a right intertrochanteric femur fracture. She takes apixaban 5 mg twice daily for atrial fibrillation, with her last dose 16 hours ago; creatinine clearance is 42 mL/min.
655 words, about 3 min