ATI Fundamentals: Mobility and Patient Care Study Guide 2026
|Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who has been bedridden for several days.
Which of the following is a cardiovascular complication of immobility?
A. Atelectasis
B. Orthostatic hypotension
C. Muscle atrophy
D. Urinary stasis
Answer: B
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension occurs because the cardiovascular system’s ability to
respond to position changes is diminished after prolonged bed rest.
2. When transferring a patient from a bed to a wheelchair, which action should
the nurse take to ensure safety?
A. Place the wheelchair on the patient’s weaker side
B. Keep the bed in the highest position
C. Instruct the patient to put their arms around the nurse’s neck
D. Lock the wheels on both the bed and the wheelchair
Answer: D
Rationale: Locking the wheels prevents the equipment from moving during the transfer,
reducing the risk of falls.
,3. A nurse is teaching a client how to use a cane. On which side should the client
hold the cane?
A. On the weaker side
B. Directly in front of the body
C. On whichever side feels more comfortable
D. On the stronger side
Answer: D
Rationale: The cane should be held on the unaffected (stronger) side to provide support
and stability for the opposite, weaker leg.
4. Which of the following positions is most appropriate for a patient with severe
respiratory distress?
A. Sims position
B. Trendelenburg position
C. Prone position
D. High-Fowler’s position
Answer: D
Rationale: High-Fowler’s position (90 degrees) allows for maximum chest expansion and
eases breathing.
5. A nurse is performing range-of-motion exercises for a client. Which term
describes the movement of a limb away from the midline of the body?
A. Adduction
B. Extension
C. Flexion
D. Abduction
Answer: D
Rationale: Abduction is the movement of a limb away from the midline; adduction is
movement toward the midline.
, 6. To prevent a thrombus (blood clot) in an immobile patient, which
intervention should the nurse implement?
A. Apply sequential compression devices (SCDs)
B. Restrict fluid intake
C. Massage the calves daily
D. Keep the knees in a flexed position
Answer: A
Rationale: SCDs promote venous return and prevent stasis, which reduces the risk of DVT.
7. Which of the following describes the ‘Sims’ position?
A. Lying on the side with the top leg flexed and in front of the bottom leg
B. Lying on the back with knees flexed
C. Sitting at a 45-degree angle
D. Lying flat on the stomach
Answer: A
Rationale: Sims position involves the patient lying on their side with the upper arm and
leg flexed, often used for rectal exams or enemas.
8. A nurse is moving a patient up in bed. To use proper body mechanics, the
nurse should:
A. Flex the knees and hips
B. Keep the feet close together
C. Bend at the waist
D. Lift with the back muscles
Answer: A
Rationale: Flexing the knees and hips lowers the center of gravity and uses the stronger
leg muscles rather than the back.
|Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who has been bedridden for several days.
Which of the following is a cardiovascular complication of immobility?
A. Atelectasis
B. Orthostatic hypotension
C. Muscle atrophy
D. Urinary stasis
Answer: B
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension occurs because the cardiovascular system’s ability to
respond to position changes is diminished after prolonged bed rest.
2. When transferring a patient from a bed to a wheelchair, which action should
the nurse take to ensure safety?
A. Place the wheelchair on the patient’s weaker side
B. Keep the bed in the highest position
C. Instruct the patient to put their arms around the nurse’s neck
D. Lock the wheels on both the bed and the wheelchair
Answer: D
Rationale: Locking the wheels prevents the equipment from moving during the transfer,
reducing the risk of falls.
,3. A nurse is teaching a client how to use a cane. On which side should the client
hold the cane?
A. On the weaker side
B. Directly in front of the body
C. On whichever side feels more comfortable
D. On the stronger side
Answer: D
Rationale: The cane should be held on the unaffected (stronger) side to provide support
and stability for the opposite, weaker leg.
4. Which of the following positions is most appropriate for a patient with severe
respiratory distress?
A. Sims position
B. Trendelenburg position
C. Prone position
D. High-Fowler’s position
Answer: D
Rationale: High-Fowler’s position (90 degrees) allows for maximum chest expansion and
eases breathing.
5. A nurse is performing range-of-motion exercises for a client. Which term
describes the movement of a limb away from the midline of the body?
A. Adduction
B. Extension
C. Flexion
D. Abduction
Answer: D
Rationale: Abduction is the movement of a limb away from the midline; adduction is
movement toward the midline.
, 6. To prevent a thrombus (blood clot) in an immobile patient, which
intervention should the nurse implement?
A. Apply sequential compression devices (SCDs)
B. Restrict fluid intake
C. Massage the calves daily
D. Keep the knees in a flexed position
Answer: A
Rationale: SCDs promote venous return and prevent stasis, which reduces the risk of DVT.
7. Which of the following describes the ‘Sims’ position?
A. Lying on the side with the top leg flexed and in front of the bottom leg
B. Lying on the back with knees flexed
C. Sitting at a 45-degree angle
D. Lying flat on the stomach
Answer: A
Rationale: Sims position involves the patient lying on their side with the upper arm and
leg flexed, often used for rectal exams or enemas.
8. A nurse is moving a patient up in bed. To use proper body mechanics, the
nurse should:
A. Flex the knees and hips
B. Keep the feet close together
C. Bend at the waist
D. Lift with the back muscles
Answer: A
Rationale: Flexing the knees and hips lowers the center of gravity and uses the stronger
leg muscles rather than the back.
