NCLEX RN Mobility and Positioning
Practice Exam 100 Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026
1. A nurse is repositioning an immobile client from supine to lateral
position. Which action is most appropriate?
A. Pull the client by the arms
B. Keep the client's legs straight and together
C. Use a draw sheet and move the client as a unit
D. Raise the head of the bed to 90 degrees
Answer: C. Use a draw sheet and move the client as a unit
Rationale: Using a draw sheet reduces friction and shear and allows the nurse
to reposition the client safely while maintaining body alignment.
2. Which position is best for a client experiencing difficulty breathing?
A. Supine
B. High-Fowler's
C. Prone
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: B. High-Fowler's
Rationale: High-Fowler's position promotes maximal lung expansion and can
improve ventilation in clients with respiratory distress.
3. A nurse is transferring a weak client from bed to chair. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Apply the client's shoes
B. Lock the wheelchair brakes
,C. Ask the client to stand immediately
D. Place the wheelchair several feet from the bed
Answer: B. Lock the wheelchair brakes
Rationale: Locking the wheels prevents the chair from moving during transfer
and reduces the risk of falls.
4. Which device is most appropriate for a client who requires partial
assistance when ambulating?
A. Wheelchair
B. Cane
C. Mechanical lift
D. Bedpan
Answer: B. Cane
Rationale: A cane provides support for clients who have relatively mild
weakness or impaired balance and can bear weight on the affected extremity.
5. When teaching a client to walk with a cane, where should the cane be
held?
A. On the weaker side
B. On the stronger side
C. Behind the body
D. With both hands
Answer: B. On the stronger side
Rationale: Holding the cane on the stronger side provides a wider base of
support and allows the client to better support the weaker extremity.
6. Which gait should the nurse teach a client who can bear weight on both
legs but has weakness in one leg?
A. Three-point gait
B. Four-point gait
C. Two-point gait
D. Swing-through gait
Answer: C. Two-point gait
,Rationale: A two-point gait is commonly used when the client can bear
weight on both legs but has some weakness or impaired coordination.
7. A client has complete paralysis of both lower extremities. Which assistive
device is most appropriate for transferring the client?
A. Cane
B. Crutches
C. Gait belt alone
D. Mechanical lift
Answer: D. Mechanical lift
Rationale: A mechanical lift provides safe transfer assistance for clients who
cannot bear weight or participate adequately in the transfer.
8. Which nursing intervention helps prevent footdrop in an immobile
client?
A. Placing pillows under the knees continuously
B. Maintaining the feet in plantar flexion
C. Using a footboard or positioning device
D. Keeping the client in Trendelenburg position
Answer: C. Using a footboard or positioning device
Rationale: A footboard or appropriate positioning device helps maintain the
feet in functional alignment and reduces the risk of plantar-flexion
contractures.
9. A nurse is caring for a client on prolonged bed rest. Which complication
is the nurse most concerned about?
A. Increased muscle strength
B. Deep vein thrombosis
C. Increased bone density
D. Improved circulation
Answer: B. Deep vein thrombosis
Rationale: Immobility causes venous stasis, increasing the risk of thrombus
formation, particularly in the lower extremities.
, 10.Which intervention is most effective for preventing complications of
immobility?
A. Limiting fluid intake
B. Encouraging regular repositioning and activity as tolerated
C. Keeping the client completely still
D. Avoiding range-of-motion exercises
Answer: B. Encouraging regular repositioning and activity as tolerated
Rationale: Frequent repositioning, mobility, and range-of-motion exercises
help maintain circulation, muscle function, joint mobility, and skin integrity.
11.A client has left-sided weakness following a stroke. Which side should
the nurse place the chair when transferring the client from bed to chair?
A. Left side
B. Right side
C. Foot of the bed
D. Behind the client
Answer: B. Right side
Rationale: The chair is generally placed on the client's stronger side to
maximize stability and allow the client to use the stronger extremities during
transfer.
12.Which position is appropriate for administering an enema?
A. Right lateral
B. Left lateral
C. High-Fowler's
D. Prone
Answer: B. Left lateral
Rationale: The left lateral, or Sims, position facilitates flow of the enema
solution into the sigmoid and descending colon.
13.Which position is commonly used for a client undergoing a lumbar
puncture?
Practice Exam 100 Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026
1. A nurse is repositioning an immobile client from supine to lateral
position. Which action is most appropriate?
A. Pull the client by the arms
B. Keep the client's legs straight and together
C. Use a draw sheet and move the client as a unit
D. Raise the head of the bed to 90 degrees
Answer: C. Use a draw sheet and move the client as a unit
Rationale: Using a draw sheet reduces friction and shear and allows the nurse
to reposition the client safely while maintaining body alignment.
2. Which position is best for a client experiencing difficulty breathing?
A. Supine
B. High-Fowler's
C. Prone
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: B. High-Fowler's
Rationale: High-Fowler's position promotes maximal lung expansion and can
improve ventilation in clients with respiratory distress.
3. A nurse is transferring a weak client from bed to chair. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Apply the client's shoes
B. Lock the wheelchair brakes
,C. Ask the client to stand immediately
D. Place the wheelchair several feet from the bed
Answer: B. Lock the wheelchair brakes
Rationale: Locking the wheels prevents the chair from moving during transfer
and reduces the risk of falls.
4. Which device is most appropriate for a client who requires partial
assistance when ambulating?
A. Wheelchair
B. Cane
C. Mechanical lift
D. Bedpan
Answer: B. Cane
Rationale: A cane provides support for clients who have relatively mild
weakness or impaired balance and can bear weight on the affected extremity.
5. When teaching a client to walk with a cane, where should the cane be
held?
A. On the weaker side
B. On the stronger side
C. Behind the body
D. With both hands
Answer: B. On the stronger side
Rationale: Holding the cane on the stronger side provides a wider base of
support and allows the client to better support the weaker extremity.
6. Which gait should the nurse teach a client who can bear weight on both
legs but has weakness in one leg?
A. Three-point gait
B. Four-point gait
C. Two-point gait
D. Swing-through gait
Answer: C. Two-point gait
,Rationale: A two-point gait is commonly used when the client can bear
weight on both legs but has some weakness or impaired coordination.
7. A client has complete paralysis of both lower extremities. Which assistive
device is most appropriate for transferring the client?
A. Cane
B. Crutches
C. Gait belt alone
D. Mechanical lift
Answer: D. Mechanical lift
Rationale: A mechanical lift provides safe transfer assistance for clients who
cannot bear weight or participate adequately in the transfer.
8. Which nursing intervention helps prevent footdrop in an immobile
client?
A. Placing pillows under the knees continuously
B. Maintaining the feet in plantar flexion
C. Using a footboard or positioning device
D. Keeping the client in Trendelenburg position
Answer: C. Using a footboard or positioning device
Rationale: A footboard or appropriate positioning device helps maintain the
feet in functional alignment and reduces the risk of plantar-flexion
contractures.
9. A nurse is caring for a client on prolonged bed rest. Which complication
is the nurse most concerned about?
A. Increased muscle strength
B. Deep vein thrombosis
C. Increased bone density
D. Improved circulation
Answer: B. Deep vein thrombosis
Rationale: Immobility causes venous stasis, increasing the risk of thrombus
formation, particularly in the lower extremities.
, 10.Which intervention is most effective for preventing complications of
immobility?
A. Limiting fluid intake
B. Encouraging regular repositioning and activity as tolerated
C. Keeping the client completely still
D. Avoiding range-of-motion exercises
Answer: B. Encouraging regular repositioning and activity as tolerated
Rationale: Frequent repositioning, mobility, and range-of-motion exercises
help maintain circulation, muscle function, joint mobility, and skin integrity.
11.A client has left-sided weakness following a stroke. Which side should
the nurse place the chair when transferring the client from bed to chair?
A. Left side
B. Right side
C. Foot of the bed
D. Behind the client
Answer: B. Right side
Rationale: The chair is generally placed on the client's stronger side to
maximize stability and allow the client to use the stronger extremities during
transfer.
12.Which position is appropriate for administering an enema?
A. Right lateral
B. Left lateral
C. High-Fowler's
D. Prone
Answer: B. Left lateral
Rationale: The left lateral, or Sims, position facilitates flow of the enema
solution into the sigmoid and descending colon.
13.Which position is commonly used for a client undergoing a lumbar
puncture?
