HESI LPN-RN Entrance Exam: Mobility &
Transition Test Bank
1. A client becomes dizzy while ambulating in the hallway and begins to fall. What should the nurse do
first to ensure the client's safety during this situation?**
A) Call for assistance from other staff members immediately
B) Ease the client gently to the floor while protecting the head and neck
C) Try to hold the client up and return them to bed quickly
D) Let the client slide down the wall to prevent a hard fall
**Answer: B**
*Rationale:* Client safety is the priority. If the client is at risk of falling, the nurse should guide the
client safely to the floor while protecting the head and neck from injury .
**2. When using proper body mechanics to lift a heavy object, which muscle group should the nurse
primarily use to prevent back injury?**
A) The back muscles should be used for the lifting motion
B) The arm muscles should be used to pull the object upward
C) The leg muscles should be used to provide the lifting power
D) The shoulder muscles should be used to lift the heavy load
**Answer: C**
*Rationale:* Leg muscles are stronger and reduce strain on the back. The nurse should keep the load
close, bend at the knees, and use leg muscles to lift .
**3. A nurse is preparing to transfer a client from the bed to a chair. The client can bear partial weight
on both legs. Which equipment is most appropriate for this transfer?**
A) A mechanical lift to completely support the client's weight
B) A transfer belt (gait belt) placed around the client's waist
C) A slide board to slide the client from bed to chair
D) A restraint belt to secure the client during transfer
**Answer: B**
,*Rationale:* A transfer belt (gait belt) provides a secure handhold for safe transfers and ambulation
assistance for clients who can bear partial weight .
**4. A nurse is transferring a client from the bed to a wheelchair. The wheelchair should be
positioned at which angle and on which side for the safest transfer?**
A) At a 90-degree angle on the patient's weaker side
B) At a 45-degree angle on the patient's stronger side
C) Directly perpendicular to the bed on the patient's stronger side
D) At a 45-degree angle on the patient's weaker side
**Answer: B**
*Rationale:* Placing the chair at a 45-degree angle on the patient's stronger side provides for a safe
transfer because it allows the patient to pivot easily from the bed to the chair .
**5. Before ambulating a client for the first time after surgery, what is the most important
assessment the nurse should perform?**
A) Ask the client if they feel hungry or thirsty
B) Check the client's blood pressure and pulse rate
C) Assess for orthostatic hypotension by checking lying, sitting, and standing blood pressures
D) Determine if the client has urinated recently
**Answer: C**
*Rationale:* Orthostatic hypotension may cause dizziness and falls during ambulation. Assessing
blood pressure while the client is lying, sitting, and standing helps identify risks .
**6. A gait belt should be placed around which part of the client's body to provide the safest and
most effective support during ambulation?**
A) Around the client's neck to provide upper body support
B) Under the client's arms to provide secure handholds
C) Around the client's waist snugly but not too tight
D) Around the client's thighs to provide lower body support
**Answer: C**
*Rationale:* A gait belt should be placed around the waist to provide a secure handhold for safe
transfers and ambulation assistance .
,**7. Which action during a lifting task significantly increases the risk of injury to the nurse's back?**
A) Keeping the heavy load close to the nurse's body
B) Using assistive devices to help with the lifting task
C) Twisting the torso while lifting a heavy object
D) Bending the knees and keeping the back straight
**Answer: C**
*Rationale:* Twisting places excessive strain on the spine and increases injury risk. The nurse should
avoid twisting and instead pivot with the feet .
**8. Which client is most likely to require a mechanical lift for transfer to ensure safety for both the
client and the nurse?**
A) Client who can bear full weight and assist with transfer
B) Client who can bear partial weight and needs minimal assistance
C) Client who is unable to bear weight and cannot assist with the transfer
D) Client who can stand but needs minimal assistance from one person
**Answer: C**
*Rationale:* Mechanical lifts are indicated for clients who cannot support their own weight and
would be unsafe to transfer manually .
**9. When using a mechanical floor lift, which action is essential for the safety of the patient and the
nurse?**
A) The nurse can safely complete the mechanical lift transfer by themselves to save time
B) The base legs of the lift must be locked in the wide-open position before raising the patient
C) The upper edge of the lift sling should be placed directly under the patient's lower back
D) Any sling available on the unit can be used regardless of the patient's weight
**Answer: B**
*Rationale:* When operating a mechanical floor lift, the base legs must be spread to the wide-open
position before lifting a patient to provide maximum stability and prevent the machine from tipping
over .
, **10. The nurse is assessing a patient with a fractured humerus who has a newly applied splint.
Which finding indicates optimal peripheral tissue perfusion?**
A) Capillary refill time of 4 seconds in the affected fingers
B) The patient reporting a constant "pins and needles" sensation in the hand
C) The affected hand is cool to the touch compared to the uninjured arm
D) Radial pulse is strong (2+) and easily palpable bilaterally
**Answer: D**
*Rationale:* A strong, symmetrical radial pulse (2+) indicates adequate arterial blood flow past the
injury and splint. Prolonged capillary refill, coolness, and paresthesia are signs of neurovascular
compromise .
**11. The nurse identifies which factor as the greatest risk for falls among hospitalized elderly
clients?**
A) Wearing eyeglasses that are properly prescribed
B) Advanced age and generalized muscle weakness
C) Reading in bed during the daytime hours
D) Having frequent visitors at the bedside
**Answer: B**
*Rationale:* Muscle weakness significantly increases fall risk, especially in older adults .
**12. When helping a client use a walker for the first time, what instruction should the nurse give the
client about the correct sequence of movement?**
A) Move the feet first and then bring the walker forward
B) Move the walker forward one step length and then step into it
C) Lift the walker completely over obstacles on the floor
D) Keep the walker behind the body at all times
**Answer: B**
*Rationale:* The walker should be advanced one step length, then the patient steps into the walker.
This maintains a stable center of gravity and prevents overreaching .
**13. The LPN is teaching a patient to use a walker with a 3-point gait pattern. Which instruction is
correct for this specific gait pattern?**
Transition Test Bank
1. A client becomes dizzy while ambulating in the hallway and begins to fall. What should the nurse do
first to ensure the client's safety during this situation?**
A) Call for assistance from other staff members immediately
B) Ease the client gently to the floor while protecting the head and neck
C) Try to hold the client up and return them to bed quickly
D) Let the client slide down the wall to prevent a hard fall
**Answer: B**
*Rationale:* Client safety is the priority. If the client is at risk of falling, the nurse should guide the
client safely to the floor while protecting the head and neck from injury .
**2. When using proper body mechanics to lift a heavy object, which muscle group should the nurse
primarily use to prevent back injury?**
A) The back muscles should be used for the lifting motion
B) The arm muscles should be used to pull the object upward
C) The leg muscles should be used to provide the lifting power
D) The shoulder muscles should be used to lift the heavy load
**Answer: C**
*Rationale:* Leg muscles are stronger and reduce strain on the back. The nurse should keep the load
close, bend at the knees, and use leg muscles to lift .
**3. A nurse is preparing to transfer a client from the bed to a chair. The client can bear partial weight
on both legs. Which equipment is most appropriate for this transfer?**
A) A mechanical lift to completely support the client's weight
B) A transfer belt (gait belt) placed around the client's waist
C) A slide board to slide the client from bed to chair
D) A restraint belt to secure the client during transfer
**Answer: B**
,*Rationale:* A transfer belt (gait belt) provides a secure handhold for safe transfers and ambulation
assistance for clients who can bear partial weight .
**4. A nurse is transferring a client from the bed to a wheelchair. The wheelchair should be
positioned at which angle and on which side for the safest transfer?**
A) At a 90-degree angle on the patient's weaker side
B) At a 45-degree angle on the patient's stronger side
C) Directly perpendicular to the bed on the patient's stronger side
D) At a 45-degree angle on the patient's weaker side
**Answer: B**
*Rationale:* Placing the chair at a 45-degree angle on the patient's stronger side provides for a safe
transfer because it allows the patient to pivot easily from the bed to the chair .
**5. Before ambulating a client for the first time after surgery, what is the most important
assessment the nurse should perform?**
A) Ask the client if they feel hungry or thirsty
B) Check the client's blood pressure and pulse rate
C) Assess for orthostatic hypotension by checking lying, sitting, and standing blood pressures
D) Determine if the client has urinated recently
**Answer: C**
*Rationale:* Orthostatic hypotension may cause dizziness and falls during ambulation. Assessing
blood pressure while the client is lying, sitting, and standing helps identify risks .
**6. A gait belt should be placed around which part of the client's body to provide the safest and
most effective support during ambulation?**
A) Around the client's neck to provide upper body support
B) Under the client's arms to provide secure handholds
C) Around the client's waist snugly but not too tight
D) Around the client's thighs to provide lower body support
**Answer: C**
*Rationale:* A gait belt should be placed around the waist to provide a secure handhold for safe
transfers and ambulation assistance .
,**7. Which action during a lifting task significantly increases the risk of injury to the nurse's back?**
A) Keeping the heavy load close to the nurse's body
B) Using assistive devices to help with the lifting task
C) Twisting the torso while lifting a heavy object
D) Bending the knees and keeping the back straight
**Answer: C**
*Rationale:* Twisting places excessive strain on the spine and increases injury risk. The nurse should
avoid twisting and instead pivot with the feet .
**8. Which client is most likely to require a mechanical lift for transfer to ensure safety for both the
client and the nurse?**
A) Client who can bear full weight and assist with transfer
B) Client who can bear partial weight and needs minimal assistance
C) Client who is unable to bear weight and cannot assist with the transfer
D) Client who can stand but needs minimal assistance from one person
**Answer: C**
*Rationale:* Mechanical lifts are indicated for clients who cannot support their own weight and
would be unsafe to transfer manually .
**9. When using a mechanical floor lift, which action is essential for the safety of the patient and the
nurse?**
A) The nurse can safely complete the mechanical lift transfer by themselves to save time
B) The base legs of the lift must be locked in the wide-open position before raising the patient
C) The upper edge of the lift sling should be placed directly under the patient's lower back
D) Any sling available on the unit can be used regardless of the patient's weight
**Answer: B**
*Rationale:* When operating a mechanical floor lift, the base legs must be spread to the wide-open
position before lifting a patient to provide maximum stability and prevent the machine from tipping
over .
, **10. The nurse is assessing a patient with a fractured humerus who has a newly applied splint.
Which finding indicates optimal peripheral tissue perfusion?**
A) Capillary refill time of 4 seconds in the affected fingers
B) The patient reporting a constant "pins and needles" sensation in the hand
C) The affected hand is cool to the touch compared to the uninjured arm
D) Radial pulse is strong (2+) and easily palpable bilaterally
**Answer: D**
*Rationale:* A strong, symmetrical radial pulse (2+) indicates adequate arterial blood flow past the
injury and splint. Prolonged capillary refill, coolness, and paresthesia are signs of neurovascular
compromise .
**11. The nurse identifies which factor as the greatest risk for falls among hospitalized elderly
clients?**
A) Wearing eyeglasses that are properly prescribed
B) Advanced age and generalized muscle weakness
C) Reading in bed during the daytime hours
D) Having frequent visitors at the bedside
**Answer: B**
*Rationale:* Muscle weakness significantly increases fall risk, especially in older adults .
**12. When helping a client use a walker for the first time, what instruction should the nurse give the
client about the correct sequence of movement?**
A) Move the feet first and then bring the walker forward
B) Move the walker forward one step length and then step into it
C) Lift the walker completely over obstacles on the floor
D) Keep the walker behind the body at all times
**Answer: B**
*Rationale:* The walker should be advanced one step length, then the patient steps into the walker.
This maintains a stable center of gravity and prevents overreaching .
**13. The LPN is teaching a patient to use a walker with a 3-point gait pattern. Which instruction is
correct for this specific gait pattern?**
