HESI LPN-ADN Entrance Exam Mobility
Focus Elsevier Evolve Official Practice Exam
Actual Exam 2026/2027 with Detailed
Rationales | Complete Exam-Style Questions |
Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
══════════════════════════════════════
SECTION 1: SAFE PATIENT HANDLING & BODY MECHANICS Q1 – Q10
══════════════════════════════════════
Question 1 of 50
A 78-year-old patient with bilateral lower extremity weakness is being transferred from bed to
chair. The nurse is preparing to lift the patient without assistive equipment. Which body
mechanics principle should the nurse apply to minimize risk of self-injury during this manual
lift?
A. Keep the back straight and lift primarily with the upper body strength
B. Bend at the waist to get closer to the patient's center of gravity
C. Use the large muscles of the legs and hips while keeping the back aligned ✓ CORRECT
D. Twist at the trunk while lifting to maintain eye contact with the patient
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The large muscles of the legs and hips provide the greatest strength and are least
likely to be injured when lifting, which is a fundamental principle of safe body mechanics in
patient handling. Bending at the waist or twisting the trunk places excessive strain on the
lumbar spine and increases the risk of musculoskeletal injury. Remember that manual lifting
should be minimized whenever possible, and assistive devices should be used for patients
with significant weakness.
Question 2 of 50
,A 62-year-old patient with right-sided hemiparesis requires assistance moving from the
bedside chair back to bed. The nurse applies a gait belt around the patient's bare abdomen to
prepare for the transfer. What is the primary risk associated with this application technique?
A. The belt will slip upward toward the chest during the pivot
B. Skin breakdown or abrasion may occur from direct contact with the belt ✓ CORRECT
C. The patient will experience increased anxiety about the transfer
D. The belt will restrict diaphragmatic movement and impair breathing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A gait belt should always be placed around the patient's waist over clothing rather
than bare skin to prevent friction, shearing, and potential skin breakdown during movement.
Placing the belt directly on skin creates a significant risk of abrasion, particularly in older
adults with fragile skin. Always check that the belt is snug but comfortable, with two fingers
able to fit between the belt and the clothing.
Question 3 of 50
Two nurses are preparing to transfer a 210-pound patient with obesity from a stretcher to a
bed using a drawsheet. Before initiating the lift, what is the most critical safety step the team
must complete to prevent uneven force distribution and potential injury?
A. Assign one nurse to lift the head and shoulders while the other lifts the legs
B. Perform a coordinated lift with a verbal count to ensure simultaneous movement ✓
CORRECT
C. Have the patient hold their breath during the transfer to stabilize the core
D. Position the bed at the lowest possible height before beginning the lift
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Coordinated lifting with a verbal count such as "on the count of three" ensures that
both nurses lift simultaneously, preventing uneven force distribution that could strain one
caregiver's back or cause the patient to twist. When team members lift at different times, the
patient may shift unexpectedly, creating a shearing force and increasing fall risk.
Communication is the cornerstone of safe multi-person patient handling.
Question 4 of 50
, A 45-year-old construction worker with a lumbar strain is being taught proper body mechanics
for returning to work. The nurse emphasizes that when lifting objects from the floor, the
patient should avoid which movement to protect the lower back?
A. Squatting down by bending the knees while keeping the back straight
B. Holding the load close to the body before standing
C. Twisting at the waist while carrying the object to the side ✓ CORRECT
D. Distributing weight evenly on both feet before lifting
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Twisting at the waist while lifting or carrying a load places torsional stress on the
intervertebral discs and significantly increases the risk of lumbar injury. The spine is designed
for flexion and extension, not rotation under load, which is why pivoting the entire body with
the feet is the safer alternative. This principle applies equally in healthcare settings when
repositioning patients or moving equipment.
Question 5 of 50
A 55-year-old nurse with chronic lower back pain is assigned to care for a patient who
requires frequent repositioning in bed. Which action best demonstrates application of
ergonomic principles to reduce the nurse's risk of cumulative trauma injury?
A. Requesting that a second nurse always assist with every patient movement
B. Using a mechanical lift or friction-reducing device for all dependent transfers ✓ CORRECT
C. Performing all patient care at the head of the bed to avoid bending
D. Wearing a back brace during all patient handling activities
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Using mechanical lifts and friction-reducing devices eliminates the need for
manual lifting and significantly reduces the physical demands on the caregiver's
musculoskeletal system. While a second nurse can help, it does not eliminate the
biomechanical risk of manual handling, and back braces have not been proven to prevent
injury and may create a false sense of security. The hierarchy of controls for safe patient
handling prioritizes engineering controls over administrative controls.
Question 6 of 50
Focus Elsevier Evolve Official Practice Exam
Actual Exam 2026/2027 with Detailed
Rationales | Complete Exam-Style Questions |
Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
══════════════════════════════════════
SECTION 1: SAFE PATIENT HANDLING & BODY MECHANICS Q1 – Q10
══════════════════════════════════════
Question 1 of 50
A 78-year-old patient with bilateral lower extremity weakness is being transferred from bed to
chair. The nurse is preparing to lift the patient without assistive equipment. Which body
mechanics principle should the nurse apply to minimize risk of self-injury during this manual
lift?
A. Keep the back straight and lift primarily with the upper body strength
B. Bend at the waist to get closer to the patient's center of gravity
C. Use the large muscles of the legs and hips while keeping the back aligned ✓ CORRECT
D. Twist at the trunk while lifting to maintain eye contact with the patient
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The large muscles of the legs and hips provide the greatest strength and are least
likely to be injured when lifting, which is a fundamental principle of safe body mechanics in
patient handling. Bending at the waist or twisting the trunk places excessive strain on the
lumbar spine and increases the risk of musculoskeletal injury. Remember that manual lifting
should be minimized whenever possible, and assistive devices should be used for patients
with significant weakness.
Question 2 of 50
,A 62-year-old patient with right-sided hemiparesis requires assistance moving from the
bedside chair back to bed. The nurse applies a gait belt around the patient's bare abdomen to
prepare for the transfer. What is the primary risk associated with this application technique?
A. The belt will slip upward toward the chest during the pivot
B. Skin breakdown or abrasion may occur from direct contact with the belt ✓ CORRECT
C. The patient will experience increased anxiety about the transfer
D. The belt will restrict diaphragmatic movement and impair breathing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A gait belt should always be placed around the patient's waist over clothing rather
than bare skin to prevent friction, shearing, and potential skin breakdown during movement.
Placing the belt directly on skin creates a significant risk of abrasion, particularly in older
adults with fragile skin. Always check that the belt is snug but comfortable, with two fingers
able to fit between the belt and the clothing.
Question 3 of 50
Two nurses are preparing to transfer a 210-pound patient with obesity from a stretcher to a
bed using a drawsheet. Before initiating the lift, what is the most critical safety step the team
must complete to prevent uneven force distribution and potential injury?
A. Assign one nurse to lift the head and shoulders while the other lifts the legs
B. Perform a coordinated lift with a verbal count to ensure simultaneous movement ✓
CORRECT
C. Have the patient hold their breath during the transfer to stabilize the core
D. Position the bed at the lowest possible height before beginning the lift
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Coordinated lifting with a verbal count such as "on the count of three" ensures that
both nurses lift simultaneously, preventing uneven force distribution that could strain one
caregiver's back or cause the patient to twist. When team members lift at different times, the
patient may shift unexpectedly, creating a shearing force and increasing fall risk.
Communication is the cornerstone of safe multi-person patient handling.
Question 4 of 50
, A 45-year-old construction worker with a lumbar strain is being taught proper body mechanics
for returning to work. The nurse emphasizes that when lifting objects from the floor, the
patient should avoid which movement to protect the lower back?
A. Squatting down by bending the knees while keeping the back straight
B. Holding the load close to the body before standing
C. Twisting at the waist while carrying the object to the side ✓ CORRECT
D. Distributing weight evenly on both feet before lifting
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Twisting at the waist while lifting or carrying a load places torsional stress on the
intervertebral discs and significantly increases the risk of lumbar injury. The spine is designed
for flexion and extension, not rotation under load, which is why pivoting the entire body with
the feet is the safer alternative. This principle applies equally in healthcare settings when
repositioning patients or moving equipment.
Question 5 of 50
A 55-year-old nurse with chronic lower back pain is assigned to care for a patient who
requires frequent repositioning in bed. Which action best demonstrates application of
ergonomic principles to reduce the nurse's risk of cumulative trauma injury?
A. Requesting that a second nurse always assist with every patient movement
B. Using a mechanical lift or friction-reducing device for all dependent transfers ✓ CORRECT
C. Performing all patient care at the head of the bed to avoid bending
D. Wearing a back brace during all patient handling activities
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Using mechanical lifts and friction-reducing devices eliminates the need for
manual lifting and significantly reduces the physical demands on the caregiver's
musculoskeletal system. While a second nurse can help, it does not eliminate the
biomechanical risk of manual handling, and back braces have not been proven to prevent
injury and may create a false sense of security. The hierarchy of controls for safe patient
handling prioritizes engineering controls over administrative controls.
Question 6 of 50
