HESI LPN-ADN Entrance Exam Mobility Questions |
100% Correct Answers with Detailed Rationales
(2026/2027 Edition)
HESI LPN-to-ADN Entrance Examination – Mobility & Safe Patient Handling
Competency Assessment
==============================
SECTION 1: Principles of Body Mechanics and Ergonomics
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to lift a heavy box of medical supplies from the floor to a
countertop. Which action demonstrates proper body mechanics?
A. Bend at the waist with knees straight and lift using back muscles.
B. Keep feet together, bend at the waist, and twist the torso while lifting.
C. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, bend at the knees, keep the back straight, and
lift using leg muscles while holding the load close to the body.
D. Lift the box with one hand while holding onto a counter with the other hand for
balance.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Proper body mechanics for lifting include standing with feet shoulder-width
apart to provide a stable base of support, bending at the knees (not the waist),
maintaining a straight back, and using the large muscles of the legs to lift. The load
should be held close to the center of gravity to reduce strain. Bending at the waist,
,twisting, and using back muscles increase the risk of musculoskeletal injury.
One-handed lifting is unstable and increases injury risk.
Question 2
A nurse is transferring a client from bed to chair using a stand-and-pivot technique.
Which principle of body mechanics should the nurse apply to reduce the risk of injury?
A. Keep the feet close together and lean backward to counterbalance the client's weight.
B. Use a wide base of support, bend the knees, and move the client in smooth,
coordinated movements without twisting.
C. Twist at the waist while holding the client to guide them into the chair.
D. Pull the client toward the nurse using arm strength rather than body weight.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A wide base of support (feet shoulder-width apart) increases stability and
balance. Bending the knees lowers the center of gravity and engages the large leg
muscles. Moving the client in smooth, coordinated movements without twisting
protects the nurse's spine from shear forces. Leaning backward, twisting, and pulling
with arm strength rather than using proper body mechanics all increase the risk of nurse
injury and client falls.
Question 3
A nurse is educating a nursing assistant about the concept of the center of gravity
during patient handling. Which explanation by the nurse is most accurate?
A. "The center of gravity is located at the head and should be kept elevated during
transfers."
B. "The center of gravity is the point where the body's mass is concentrated; keeping it
low and over the base of support increases stability."
,C. "The center of gravity is always located in the chest and does not change with
position."
D. "The center of gravity is irrelevant when using mechanical lift devices."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The center of gravity is the point where the body's mass is concentrated,
typically located in the lower abdomen/pelvis in standing adults. Stability is increased
when the center of gravity is kept low and directly over the base of support (feet).
Raising the center of gravity or moving it outside the base of support decreases stability
and increases fall risk. The center of gravity shifts with position changes and remains
relevant even when using mechanical devices for positioning.
Question 4
A nurse is preparing to move a client up in bed. The nurse plans to use a
friction-reducing device. Which device is most appropriate for this task?
A. Mechanical lift with a full-body sling
B. Slide sheet or friction-reducing transfer board
C. Gait belt
D. Walker
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A slide sheet (also called a draw sheet or friction-reducing sheet) is a
low-friction fabric device placed under the client that allows caregivers to reposition the
client in bed with minimal pulling force and reduced shear on the client's skin. A
mechanical lift is used for clients who cannot bear weight. A gait belt is used for
ambulation and transfers of clients who can bear weight. A walker is an ambulation aid,
not a repositioning device.
, Question 5
A nurse is assessing a client's ability to participate in a transfer. The client is alert, can
follow commands, and has upper body strength but has weakness in the left lower
extremity following a stroke. Which transfer technique is most appropriate?
A. Total mechanical lift transfer
B. Stand-and-pivot transfer with a gait belt and one or two caregivers
C. Lateral transfer using a transfer board without assistance
D. Drag lift using the client's underarms
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A stand-and-pivot transfer is appropriate for clients who can bear weight on
at least one leg, follow commands, and have adequate upper body strength to push up
from the seated position. A gait belt provides the caregiver with a secure handhold and
the client with support. A mechanical lift is unnecessary for clients who can bear weight
and assist. Lateral transfers require full assistance. Drag lifts are unsafe and can cause
shoulder injury to the client.
Question 6
A nurse is performing a two-person lift to transfer a client from bed to stretcher. Which
action by the nurse demonstrates proper ergonomic technique?
A. Both nurses stand on the same side of the bed and pull the client across.
B. The nurses position themselves on opposite sides of the bed, face each other, and
use a coordinated count to lift and move the client together.
C. One nurse lifts the client's head and shoulders while the other nurse watches.
D. Both nurses bend at the waist and lift simultaneously without communicating.
Correct Answer: B
100% Correct Answers with Detailed Rationales
(2026/2027 Edition)
HESI LPN-to-ADN Entrance Examination – Mobility & Safe Patient Handling
Competency Assessment
==============================
SECTION 1: Principles of Body Mechanics and Ergonomics
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to lift a heavy box of medical supplies from the floor to a
countertop. Which action demonstrates proper body mechanics?
A. Bend at the waist with knees straight and lift using back muscles.
B. Keep feet together, bend at the waist, and twist the torso while lifting.
C. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, bend at the knees, keep the back straight, and
lift using leg muscles while holding the load close to the body.
D. Lift the box with one hand while holding onto a counter with the other hand for
balance.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Proper body mechanics for lifting include standing with feet shoulder-width
apart to provide a stable base of support, bending at the knees (not the waist),
maintaining a straight back, and using the large muscles of the legs to lift. The load
should be held close to the center of gravity to reduce strain. Bending at the waist,
,twisting, and using back muscles increase the risk of musculoskeletal injury.
One-handed lifting is unstable and increases injury risk.
Question 2
A nurse is transferring a client from bed to chair using a stand-and-pivot technique.
Which principle of body mechanics should the nurse apply to reduce the risk of injury?
A. Keep the feet close together and lean backward to counterbalance the client's weight.
B. Use a wide base of support, bend the knees, and move the client in smooth,
coordinated movements without twisting.
C. Twist at the waist while holding the client to guide them into the chair.
D. Pull the client toward the nurse using arm strength rather than body weight.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A wide base of support (feet shoulder-width apart) increases stability and
balance. Bending the knees lowers the center of gravity and engages the large leg
muscles. Moving the client in smooth, coordinated movements without twisting
protects the nurse's spine from shear forces. Leaning backward, twisting, and pulling
with arm strength rather than using proper body mechanics all increase the risk of nurse
injury and client falls.
Question 3
A nurse is educating a nursing assistant about the concept of the center of gravity
during patient handling. Which explanation by the nurse is most accurate?
A. "The center of gravity is located at the head and should be kept elevated during
transfers."
B. "The center of gravity is the point where the body's mass is concentrated; keeping it
low and over the base of support increases stability."
,C. "The center of gravity is always located in the chest and does not change with
position."
D. "The center of gravity is irrelevant when using mechanical lift devices."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The center of gravity is the point where the body's mass is concentrated,
typically located in the lower abdomen/pelvis in standing adults. Stability is increased
when the center of gravity is kept low and directly over the base of support (feet).
Raising the center of gravity or moving it outside the base of support decreases stability
and increases fall risk. The center of gravity shifts with position changes and remains
relevant even when using mechanical devices for positioning.
Question 4
A nurse is preparing to move a client up in bed. The nurse plans to use a
friction-reducing device. Which device is most appropriate for this task?
A. Mechanical lift with a full-body sling
B. Slide sheet or friction-reducing transfer board
C. Gait belt
D. Walker
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A slide sheet (also called a draw sheet or friction-reducing sheet) is a
low-friction fabric device placed under the client that allows caregivers to reposition the
client in bed with minimal pulling force and reduced shear on the client's skin. A
mechanical lift is used for clients who cannot bear weight. A gait belt is used for
ambulation and transfers of clients who can bear weight. A walker is an ambulation aid,
not a repositioning device.
, Question 5
A nurse is assessing a client's ability to participate in a transfer. The client is alert, can
follow commands, and has upper body strength but has weakness in the left lower
extremity following a stroke. Which transfer technique is most appropriate?
A. Total mechanical lift transfer
B. Stand-and-pivot transfer with a gait belt and one or two caregivers
C. Lateral transfer using a transfer board without assistance
D. Drag lift using the client's underarms
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A stand-and-pivot transfer is appropriate for clients who can bear weight on
at least one leg, follow commands, and have adequate upper body strength to push up
from the seated position. A gait belt provides the caregiver with a secure handhold and
the client with support. A mechanical lift is unnecessary for clients who can bear weight
and assist. Lateral transfers require full assistance. Drag lifts are unsafe and can cause
shoulder injury to the client.
Question 6
A nurse is performing a two-person lift to transfer a client from bed to stretcher. Which
action by the nurse demonstrates proper ergonomic technique?
A. Both nurses stand on the same side of the bed and pull the client across.
B. The nurses position themselves on opposite sides of the bed, face each other, and
use a coordinated count to lift and move the client together.
C. One nurse lifts the client's head and shoulders while the other nurse watches.
D. Both nurses bend at the waist and lift simultaneously without communicating.
Correct Answer: B
