NCLEX RN Mobility and Positioning
Practice Exam 100 Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026
1. A nurse is assisting a client from the bed to a chair. Which action is most
important before beginning the transfer?
A. Raise the bed to its highest position
B. Lock the bed and chair wheels
C. Ask the client to stand without assistance
D. Place the chair several feet from the bed
Answer: B. Lock the bed and chair wheels
Rationale: Locking the wheels prevents the equipment from moving
unexpectedly and reduces the risk of falls during the transfer.
2. Which position is most appropriate for a client experiencing severe
dyspnea?
A. Supine
B. Trendelenburg
C. High-Fowler's
D. Sims'
Answer: C. High-Fowler's
Rationale: High-Fowler's position promotes maximum lung expansion and
decreases pressure from abdominal organs on the diaphragm, improving
ventilation.
3. A nurse is turning an immobile client. Which intervention best reduces the
risk of injury to the nurse?
,A. Bend at the waist while turning the client
B. Keep the feet together
C. Use proper body mechanics and bend the knees
D. Pull the client by the arms
Answer: C. Use proper body mechanics and bend the knees
Rationale: Proper body mechanics include maintaining a wide base of
support, bending the knees, keeping the back aligned, and using the legs
rather than the back to generate force.
4. A client has left-sided weakness following a stroke. Where should the nurse
position the chair when preparing the client for transfer?
A. On the client's left side
B. On the client's right side
C. At the foot of the bed
D. Behind the client
Answer: B. On the client's right side
Rationale: The chair should generally be placed on the client's stronger side
to facilitate a safer transfer.
5. Which device is most appropriate for a client who needs assistance with
balance but can bear weight?
A. Wheelchair
B. Cane
C. Mechanical lift
D. Complete bed rest
Answer: B. Cane
Rationale: A cane provides additional support and improves balance for
clients who can bear weight but have mild weakness or instability.
6. How should a client use a cane when walking?
A. Hold the cane on the weaker side
B. Hold the cane on the stronger side
,C. Move the stronger leg first, followed by the cane
D. Keep the cane behind the body
Answer: B. Hold the cane on the stronger side
Rationale: Holding the cane on the stronger side provides a wider and more
stable base while supporting the weaker extremity.
7. A client uses a walker. Which sequence demonstrates correct technique?
A. Walker, weak leg, strong leg
B. Weak leg, strong leg, walker
C. Strong leg, walker, weak leg
D. Walker, strong leg, weak leg
Answer: A. Walker, weak leg, strong leg
Rationale: The client advances the walker first, then moves the weaker leg
into the walker, followed by the stronger leg.
8. A nurse is teaching a client to use crutches. Which instruction is correct?
A. Rest body weight on the axillae
B. Keep the elbows completely straight
C. Support body weight with the hands
D. Place the crutches directly against the feet
Answer: C. Support body weight with the hands
Rationale: Weight should be supported through the hands and arms, not the
axillae, because pressure on the axillae can injure the brachial plexus.
9. Which finding indicates that crutches are adjusted correctly?
A. The top of the crutch touches the axilla
B. The elbow is slightly flexed when holding the handgrip
C. The client cannot move the elbow
D. The crutch is positioned directly against the lateral chest wall
Answer: B. The elbow is slightly flexed when holding the handgrip
, Rationale: Properly fitted crutches allow slight elbow flexion and keep the
crutch several centimeters below the axilla to prevent nerve and vascular
compression.
10. Which position is commonly used for administering an enema?
A. Prone
B. Right lateral
C. Left Sims'
D. High-Fowler's
Answer: C. Left Sims'
Rationale: The left Sims' position facilitates access to the rectum and follows
the natural anatomy of the sigmoid and descending colon.
11. A client is at high risk for pressure injury. Which intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Massage reddened bony areas
B. Reposition the client regularly
C. Keep the client in one position for comfort
D. Use a donut-shaped ring under the sacrum
Answer: B. Reposition the client regularly
Rationale: Regular repositioning relieves prolonged pressure and helps
prevent tissue ischemia and pressure injury.
12. Which position is most appropriate immediately after a lumbar puncture?
A. Supine
B. Prone
C. High-Fowler's
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: A. Supine
Rationale: Following a lumbar puncture, the client is commonly kept supine
according to facility protocol to reduce complications such as post-procedure
headache.
13. Which client is at greatest risk for complications related to immobility?
Practice Exam 100 Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026
1. A nurse is assisting a client from the bed to a chair. Which action is most
important before beginning the transfer?
A. Raise the bed to its highest position
B. Lock the bed and chair wheels
C. Ask the client to stand without assistance
D. Place the chair several feet from the bed
Answer: B. Lock the bed and chair wheels
Rationale: Locking the wheels prevents the equipment from moving
unexpectedly and reduces the risk of falls during the transfer.
2. Which position is most appropriate for a client experiencing severe
dyspnea?
A. Supine
B. Trendelenburg
C. High-Fowler's
D. Sims'
Answer: C. High-Fowler's
Rationale: High-Fowler's position promotes maximum lung expansion and
decreases pressure from abdominal organs on the diaphragm, improving
ventilation.
3. A nurse is turning an immobile client. Which intervention best reduces the
risk of injury to the nurse?
,A. Bend at the waist while turning the client
B. Keep the feet together
C. Use proper body mechanics and bend the knees
D. Pull the client by the arms
Answer: C. Use proper body mechanics and bend the knees
Rationale: Proper body mechanics include maintaining a wide base of
support, bending the knees, keeping the back aligned, and using the legs
rather than the back to generate force.
4. A client has left-sided weakness following a stroke. Where should the nurse
position the chair when preparing the client for transfer?
A. On the client's left side
B. On the client's right side
C. At the foot of the bed
D. Behind the client
Answer: B. On the client's right side
Rationale: The chair should generally be placed on the client's stronger side
to facilitate a safer transfer.
5. Which device is most appropriate for a client who needs assistance with
balance but can bear weight?
A. Wheelchair
B. Cane
C. Mechanical lift
D. Complete bed rest
Answer: B. Cane
Rationale: A cane provides additional support and improves balance for
clients who can bear weight but have mild weakness or instability.
6. How should a client use a cane when walking?
A. Hold the cane on the weaker side
B. Hold the cane on the stronger side
,C. Move the stronger leg first, followed by the cane
D. Keep the cane behind the body
Answer: B. Hold the cane on the stronger side
Rationale: Holding the cane on the stronger side provides a wider and more
stable base while supporting the weaker extremity.
7. A client uses a walker. Which sequence demonstrates correct technique?
A. Walker, weak leg, strong leg
B. Weak leg, strong leg, walker
C. Strong leg, walker, weak leg
D. Walker, strong leg, weak leg
Answer: A. Walker, weak leg, strong leg
Rationale: The client advances the walker first, then moves the weaker leg
into the walker, followed by the stronger leg.
8. A nurse is teaching a client to use crutches. Which instruction is correct?
A. Rest body weight on the axillae
B. Keep the elbows completely straight
C. Support body weight with the hands
D. Place the crutches directly against the feet
Answer: C. Support body weight with the hands
Rationale: Weight should be supported through the hands and arms, not the
axillae, because pressure on the axillae can injure the brachial plexus.
9. Which finding indicates that crutches are adjusted correctly?
A. The top of the crutch touches the axilla
B. The elbow is slightly flexed when holding the handgrip
C. The client cannot move the elbow
D. The crutch is positioned directly against the lateral chest wall
Answer: B. The elbow is slightly flexed when holding the handgrip
, Rationale: Properly fitted crutches allow slight elbow flexion and keep the
crutch several centimeters below the axilla to prevent nerve and vascular
compression.
10. Which position is commonly used for administering an enema?
A. Prone
B. Right lateral
C. Left Sims'
D. High-Fowler's
Answer: C. Left Sims'
Rationale: The left Sims' position facilitates access to the rectum and follows
the natural anatomy of the sigmoid and descending colon.
11. A client is at high risk for pressure injury. Which intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Massage reddened bony areas
B. Reposition the client regularly
C. Keep the client in one position for comfort
D. Use a donut-shaped ring under the sacrum
Answer: B. Reposition the client regularly
Rationale: Regular repositioning relieves prolonged pressure and helps
prevent tissue ischemia and pressure injury.
12. Which position is most appropriate immediately after a lumbar puncture?
A. Supine
B. Prone
C. High-Fowler's
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: A. Supine
Rationale: Following a lumbar puncture, the client is commonly kept supine
according to facility protocol to reduce complications such as post-procedure
headache.
13. Which client is at greatest risk for complications related to immobility?
