HESI Mobility (Nursing Mobility &
Musculoskeletal) Practice Exam | 2026–
2027|Multiple-Choice Questions with Detailed
Answer Rationales
6. Which nursing intervention is most important for a patient placed in skeletal traction?
A. Remove weights when turning the patient
B. Ensure weights hang freely at all times
C. Reposition weights every 4 hours
D. Tighten traction ropes daily
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Ensure weights hang freely at all times
RATIONALE:
B. Ensure weights hang freely at all times is correct because traction must remain continuous
to maintain alignment and prevent injury.
3. What is the primary purpose of a cast in fracture management?
A. To reduce pain only
B. To immobilize the injured area for proper bone healing
C. To increase blood flow
D. To prevent infection only
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To immobilize the injured area for proper bone healing
RATIONALE:
B. To immobilize the injured area for proper bone healing is correct because casts maintain
alignment and stability.
9. Which sign indicates compartment syndrome?
A. Mild itching under cast
B. Severe pain unrelieved by medication
C. Warm skin and normal pulses
D. Decreased swelling
,CORRECT ANSWER: B. Severe pain unrelieved by medication
RATIONALE:
B. Severe pain unrelieved by medication is correct because pain out of proportion is an early
warning sign of compartment syndrome.
1. Which position is most appropriate after hip replacement surgery?
A. Hip flexion greater than 90 degrees
B. Crossing legs while resting
C. Abduction of the affected leg
D. Prone position only
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Abduction of the affected leg
RATIONALE:
C. Abduction of the affected leg is correct because it prevents hip dislocation after surgery.
8. Which device is used to assist patients with mobility while reducing weight-bearing on
the legs?
A. Nebulizer
B. Walker
C. Defibrillator
D. Oxygen mask
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Walker
RATIONALE:
B. Walker is correct because it supports ambulation and reduces load on lower limbs.
4. What is the most important nursing assessment for a patient in a cast?
A. Blood pressure only
B. Neurovascular status (CSM checks)
C. Respiratory rate
D. Liver function
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Neurovascular status (CSM checks)
, RATIONALE:
B. Neurovascular status (CSM checks) is correct because circulation, sensation, and movement
must be monitored for complications.
7. Which complication is most associated with immobility?
A. Hypertension
B. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
C. Hyperactivity
D. Hearing loss
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
RATIONALE:
B. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is correct because immobility slows venous return leading to
clot formation.
2. Which intervention helps prevent pressure ulcers in immobile patients?
A. Restrict fluids
B. Reposition every 2 hours
C. Keep patient in one position
D. Avoid protein intake
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Reposition every 2 hours
RATIONALE:
B. Reposition every 2 hours is correct because it relieves pressure and improves circulation.
10. Which type of exercise is performed by the nurse moving the patient’s limb?
A. Active exercise
B. Passive range of motion (PROM)
C. Isometric exercise
D. Aerobic exercise
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Passive range of motion (PROM)
Musculoskeletal) Practice Exam | 2026–
2027|Multiple-Choice Questions with Detailed
Answer Rationales
6. Which nursing intervention is most important for a patient placed in skeletal traction?
A. Remove weights when turning the patient
B. Ensure weights hang freely at all times
C. Reposition weights every 4 hours
D. Tighten traction ropes daily
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Ensure weights hang freely at all times
RATIONALE:
B. Ensure weights hang freely at all times is correct because traction must remain continuous
to maintain alignment and prevent injury.
3. What is the primary purpose of a cast in fracture management?
A. To reduce pain only
B. To immobilize the injured area for proper bone healing
C. To increase blood flow
D. To prevent infection only
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To immobilize the injured area for proper bone healing
RATIONALE:
B. To immobilize the injured area for proper bone healing is correct because casts maintain
alignment and stability.
9. Which sign indicates compartment syndrome?
A. Mild itching under cast
B. Severe pain unrelieved by medication
C. Warm skin and normal pulses
D. Decreased swelling
,CORRECT ANSWER: B. Severe pain unrelieved by medication
RATIONALE:
B. Severe pain unrelieved by medication is correct because pain out of proportion is an early
warning sign of compartment syndrome.
1. Which position is most appropriate after hip replacement surgery?
A. Hip flexion greater than 90 degrees
B. Crossing legs while resting
C. Abduction of the affected leg
D. Prone position only
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Abduction of the affected leg
RATIONALE:
C. Abduction of the affected leg is correct because it prevents hip dislocation after surgery.
8. Which device is used to assist patients with mobility while reducing weight-bearing on
the legs?
A. Nebulizer
B. Walker
C. Defibrillator
D. Oxygen mask
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Walker
RATIONALE:
B. Walker is correct because it supports ambulation and reduces load on lower limbs.
4. What is the most important nursing assessment for a patient in a cast?
A. Blood pressure only
B. Neurovascular status (CSM checks)
C. Respiratory rate
D. Liver function
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Neurovascular status (CSM checks)
, RATIONALE:
B. Neurovascular status (CSM checks) is correct because circulation, sensation, and movement
must be monitored for complications.
7. Which complication is most associated with immobility?
A. Hypertension
B. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
C. Hyperactivity
D. Hearing loss
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
RATIONALE:
B. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is correct because immobility slows venous return leading to
clot formation.
2. Which intervention helps prevent pressure ulcers in immobile patients?
A. Restrict fluids
B. Reposition every 2 hours
C. Keep patient in one position
D. Avoid protein intake
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Reposition every 2 hours
RATIONALE:
B. Reposition every 2 hours is correct because it relieves pressure and improves circulation.
10. Which type of exercise is performed by the nurse moving the patient’s limb?
A. Active exercise
B. Passive range of motion (PROM)
C. Isometric exercise
D. Aerobic exercise
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Passive range of motion (PROM)
