HESI LPN TO ADN ENTRANCE EXAM 2025/2026 – MOBILITY
VERSION (200 Practice Questions with Verified Answers &
Expert Explanations)
Mobility & Body Mechanics (1–35)
1. A nurse is assisting a patient with left‑sided weakness to transfer from the bed to a wheelchair.
Where should the nurse position the wheelchair?
A) Parallel to the bed on the patient’s strong side
B) Parallel to the bed on the patient’s weak side
C) At the foot of the bed
D) Facing away from the bed
Answer: A
Explanation: Positioning the wheelchair on the strong side allows the patient to pivot toward the
stronger leg and push up with the stronger arm, making the transfer safer and more stable. Placing it on
the weak side would make the pivot more difficult and increase fall risk.
2. Which gait pattern is most appropriate for a patient with weakness in both legs and poor
coordination?
A) Two‑point gait
B) Four‑point gait
C) Swing‑to gait
D) Three‑point gait
Answer: B
Explanation: A four‑point gait (walker or crutches) provides maximum stability because it keeps three
points of contact with the ground at all times. It is ideal for patients with bilateral weakness or poor
coordination, but it requires some coordination to perform the alternating pattern.
,3. A patient with a right below‑knee amputation (BKA) is learning to use crutches. Which gait should the
nurse teach for weight bearing on the left leg only?
A) Two‑point gait
B) Three‑point gait
C) Four‑point gait
D) Swing‑to gait
Answer: B
Explanation: A three‑point gait uses both crutches and the unaffected leg to bear weight, with the
affected leg lifted. This pattern is appropriate for a patient with a right BKA who cannot bear weight on
the right leg.
4. A patient with Parkinson’s disease has a shuffling gait. Which instruction should the nurse give to
improve safety?
A) Walk with a wide base and lift feet deliberately
B) Take short, rapid steps
C) Look at the floor while walking
D) Use a wheelchair at all times
Answer: A
Explanation: Consciously lifting the feet and using a wide base of support helps overcome the freezing
episodes and shuffling gait seen in Parkinson’s disease. Visual cues and deliberate stepping improve
safety.
5. Which assistive device provides the greatest stability?
A) Single‑point cane
B) Quad cane
C) Walker
D) Crutches
Answer: C
,Explanation: A walker provides the widest base of support and the greatest stability, but it requires
upper‑body strength. It is often used for patients with significant weakness or balance deficits.
6. A patient is using a cane. On which side should the cane be held?
A) On the strong side
B) On the weak side
C) On the dominant side regardless of weakness
D) In the hand opposite the weak leg
Answer: D
Explanation: The cane should be held in the hand opposite the weak leg. This reduces the load on the
weak leg and allows a normal gait pattern: the cane moves forward with the weak leg to widen the base
of support.
7. When measuring a cane for a patient, the top of the cane should be at the level of which landmark
when the patient stands erect with arms relaxed at the side?
A) The greater trochanter of the femur
B) The wrist crease
C) The patient’s axilla
D) The level of the radial head
Answer: B
Explanation: When the patient stands upright with arms hanging freely, the top of the cane should be
level with the wrist crease. This allows a 20–30 degree elbow flexion, which is biomechanically optimal
for weight bearing and balance.
8. Which instruction about crutch use is correct?
A) Bear weight on the axillae to reduce arm fatigue
B) Keep the elbows fully extended at all times
C) Maintain a 15–30 degree elbow flexion when standing
D) Rest the axillae on the crutch pads while standing
, Answer: C
Explanation: A 15–30 degree elbow flexion is recommended to avoid axillary nerve compression and to
allow effective weight bearing through the hands and arms, not the axillae. Resting on the crutch pads
can cause brachial plexus injury.
9. A patient is being fitted for axillary crutches. Which instruction about the handpiece is correct?
A) The handpiece should be positioned so that the elbow is fully extended
B) The handpiece should allow approximately 30 degrees of elbow flexion
C) The handpiece should be set at the patient’s waist level
D) The handpiece should be adjusted to the patient’s axillary height
Answer: B
Explanation: The handpiece should be positioned so that the elbow can flex about 30 degrees when the
patient bears weight on the hands. This minimizes the risk of nerve injury and allows effective weight
transfer.
10. A patient with a right total hip arthroplasty (posterior approach) is being taught to transfer from the
bed to a chair. Which action is contraindicated?
A) Using a raised toilet seat
B) Crossing the legs at the ankles
C) Leaning forward to grasp the armrests
D) Keeping the knees lower than the hips
Answer: B
Explanation: Crossing the legs at the knees or ankles can cause adduction and internal rotation, which
may dislocate a posterior hip prosthesis. The patient should avoid crossing legs and should keep the
knees apart (abduction).
11. When repositioning a patient who is able to assist, the nurse should:
A) Position the patient’s feet flat on the mattress
VERSION (200 Practice Questions with Verified Answers &
Expert Explanations)
Mobility & Body Mechanics (1–35)
1. A nurse is assisting a patient with left‑sided weakness to transfer from the bed to a wheelchair.
Where should the nurse position the wheelchair?
A) Parallel to the bed on the patient’s strong side
B) Parallel to the bed on the patient’s weak side
C) At the foot of the bed
D) Facing away from the bed
Answer: A
Explanation: Positioning the wheelchair on the strong side allows the patient to pivot toward the
stronger leg and push up with the stronger arm, making the transfer safer and more stable. Placing it on
the weak side would make the pivot more difficult and increase fall risk.
2. Which gait pattern is most appropriate for a patient with weakness in both legs and poor
coordination?
A) Two‑point gait
B) Four‑point gait
C) Swing‑to gait
D) Three‑point gait
Answer: B
Explanation: A four‑point gait (walker or crutches) provides maximum stability because it keeps three
points of contact with the ground at all times. It is ideal for patients with bilateral weakness or poor
coordination, but it requires some coordination to perform the alternating pattern.
,3. A patient with a right below‑knee amputation (BKA) is learning to use crutches. Which gait should the
nurse teach for weight bearing on the left leg only?
A) Two‑point gait
B) Three‑point gait
C) Four‑point gait
D) Swing‑to gait
Answer: B
Explanation: A three‑point gait uses both crutches and the unaffected leg to bear weight, with the
affected leg lifted. This pattern is appropriate for a patient with a right BKA who cannot bear weight on
the right leg.
4. A patient with Parkinson’s disease has a shuffling gait. Which instruction should the nurse give to
improve safety?
A) Walk with a wide base and lift feet deliberately
B) Take short, rapid steps
C) Look at the floor while walking
D) Use a wheelchair at all times
Answer: A
Explanation: Consciously lifting the feet and using a wide base of support helps overcome the freezing
episodes and shuffling gait seen in Parkinson’s disease. Visual cues and deliberate stepping improve
safety.
5. Which assistive device provides the greatest stability?
A) Single‑point cane
B) Quad cane
C) Walker
D) Crutches
Answer: C
,Explanation: A walker provides the widest base of support and the greatest stability, but it requires
upper‑body strength. It is often used for patients with significant weakness or balance deficits.
6. A patient is using a cane. On which side should the cane be held?
A) On the strong side
B) On the weak side
C) On the dominant side regardless of weakness
D) In the hand opposite the weak leg
Answer: D
Explanation: The cane should be held in the hand opposite the weak leg. This reduces the load on the
weak leg and allows a normal gait pattern: the cane moves forward with the weak leg to widen the base
of support.
7. When measuring a cane for a patient, the top of the cane should be at the level of which landmark
when the patient stands erect with arms relaxed at the side?
A) The greater trochanter of the femur
B) The wrist crease
C) The patient’s axilla
D) The level of the radial head
Answer: B
Explanation: When the patient stands upright with arms hanging freely, the top of the cane should be
level with the wrist crease. This allows a 20–30 degree elbow flexion, which is biomechanically optimal
for weight bearing and balance.
8. Which instruction about crutch use is correct?
A) Bear weight on the axillae to reduce arm fatigue
B) Keep the elbows fully extended at all times
C) Maintain a 15–30 degree elbow flexion when standing
D) Rest the axillae on the crutch pads while standing
, Answer: C
Explanation: A 15–30 degree elbow flexion is recommended to avoid axillary nerve compression and to
allow effective weight bearing through the hands and arms, not the axillae. Resting on the crutch pads
can cause brachial plexus injury.
9. A patient is being fitted for axillary crutches. Which instruction about the handpiece is correct?
A) The handpiece should be positioned so that the elbow is fully extended
B) The handpiece should allow approximately 30 degrees of elbow flexion
C) The handpiece should be set at the patient’s waist level
D) The handpiece should be adjusted to the patient’s axillary height
Answer: B
Explanation: The handpiece should be positioned so that the elbow can flex about 30 degrees when the
patient bears weight on the hands. This minimizes the risk of nerve injury and allows effective weight
transfer.
10. A patient with a right total hip arthroplasty (posterior approach) is being taught to transfer from the
bed to a chair. Which action is contraindicated?
A) Using a raised toilet seat
B) Crossing the legs at the ankles
C) Leaning forward to grasp the armrests
D) Keeping the knees lower than the hips
Answer: B
Explanation: Crossing the legs at the knees or ankles can cause adduction and internal rotation, which
may dislocate a posterior hip prosthesis. The patient should avoid crossing legs and should keep the
knees apart (abduction).
11. When repositioning a patient who is able to assist, the nurse should:
A) Position the patient’s feet flat on the mattress
