HESI LPN-ADN ENTRANCE MOBILITY
EXAM COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient with a newly applied plaster cast reports a ‘tight’ feeling and intense pain that is
not relieved by morphine. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Assess neurovascular status and notify the healthcare provider.
B. Apply an ice pack to the casted area.
C. Elevate the extremity above the heart level.
D. Administer an additional dose of pain medication.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Intense pain unrelieved by narcotics is a hallmark sign of
compartment syndrome, a surgical emergency requiring immediate assessment and
intervention.
2. When teaching a patient how to use a cane, on which side should the nurse instruct the
patient to hold the cane?
A. On the side that feels most comfortable.
B. On the weaker side of the body.
,C. On the stronger side of the body.
D. Alternating sides every 15 minutes.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The cane should be held on the unaffected (stronger) side to
provide support and stability to the opposite (weaker) limb during the swing phase.
3. A patient is 24 hours post-operative following a total hip arthroplasty. Which position is
most appropriate to prevent dislocation?
A. Abduction of the affected leg using a wedge pillow.
B. Adduction of the affected leg.
C. High Fowler’s position.
D. Lying on the operative side.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Abduction prevents the prosthesis from dislocating out of the
acetabulum. Adduction and extreme flexion must be avoided.
4. Which clinical manifestation is the earliest indicator of Fat Embolism Syndrome (FES) in a
patient with a femur fracture?
A. Petechiae on the chest and neck.
B. Altered mental status and restlessness.
C. Localized swelling at the fracture site.
, D. Decreased urine output.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Neurological changes such as restlessness, confusion, or
agitation caused by hypoxemia are often the first signs of FES, followed by respiratory
distress.
5. When teaching a patient to go upstairs with crutches, which sequence is correct?
A. Crutches first, then the affected leg, then the unaffected leg.
B. Crutches and affected leg first, then the unaffected leg.
C. Both legs together, then the crutches.
D. Unaffected leg first, then the crutches and affected leg.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The ‘Up with the Good’ rule applies: the unaffected (strong) leg
goes up first, followed by the crutches and the affected (weak) leg.
6. A nurse is caring for a patient in Buck’s traction. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. The weights are hanging freely off the floor.
B. The patient is using a trapeze to reposition.
C. The skin is intact under the foam boot.
D. The patient’s heels are touching the bed.
EXAM COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient with a newly applied plaster cast reports a ‘tight’ feeling and intense pain that is
not relieved by morphine. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Assess neurovascular status and notify the healthcare provider.
B. Apply an ice pack to the casted area.
C. Elevate the extremity above the heart level.
D. Administer an additional dose of pain medication.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Intense pain unrelieved by narcotics is a hallmark sign of
compartment syndrome, a surgical emergency requiring immediate assessment and
intervention.
2. When teaching a patient how to use a cane, on which side should the nurse instruct the
patient to hold the cane?
A. On the side that feels most comfortable.
B. On the weaker side of the body.
,C. On the stronger side of the body.
D. Alternating sides every 15 minutes.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The cane should be held on the unaffected (stronger) side to
provide support and stability to the opposite (weaker) limb during the swing phase.
3. A patient is 24 hours post-operative following a total hip arthroplasty. Which position is
most appropriate to prevent dislocation?
A. Abduction of the affected leg using a wedge pillow.
B. Adduction of the affected leg.
C. High Fowler’s position.
D. Lying on the operative side.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Abduction prevents the prosthesis from dislocating out of the
acetabulum. Adduction and extreme flexion must be avoided.
4. Which clinical manifestation is the earliest indicator of Fat Embolism Syndrome (FES) in a
patient with a femur fracture?
A. Petechiae on the chest and neck.
B. Altered mental status and restlessness.
C. Localized swelling at the fracture site.
, D. Decreased urine output.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Neurological changes such as restlessness, confusion, or
agitation caused by hypoxemia are often the first signs of FES, followed by respiratory
distress.
5. When teaching a patient to go upstairs with crutches, which sequence is correct?
A. Crutches first, then the affected leg, then the unaffected leg.
B. Crutches and affected leg first, then the unaffected leg.
C. Both legs together, then the crutches.
D. Unaffected leg first, then the crutches and affected leg.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The ‘Up with the Good’ rule applies: the unaffected (strong) leg
goes up first, followed by the crutches and the affected (weak) leg.
6. A nurse is caring for a patient in Buck’s traction. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. The weights are hanging freely off the floor.
B. The patient is using a trapeze to reposition.
C. The skin is intact under the foam boot.
D. The patient’s heels are touching the bed.
