NR 224 – Fundamentals of Nursing: Patient Positioning,
Mobility & Range of Motion
100 NCLEX®-Style Practice Questions with Detailed
Rationales
1. A nurse is preparing to transfer a patient from the bed to a chair. Which action should the
nurse perform first?
A. Lock the wheels of both the bed and the chair.
B. Stand directly in front of the patient without assessing their ability to assist.
C. Ask the patient to stand without assistance.
D. Lower the bed to its lowest position before the patient stands.
Answer: A. Lock the wheels of both the bed and the chair.
Rationale: Locking the wheels prevents movement of the bed and chair during the transfer,
reducing the risk of falls and ensuring patient safety.
2. A nurse teaches a patient how to use a cane. Which instruction is appropriate?
A. Hold the cane on the weaker side.
B. Hold the cane on the stronger side of the body.
C. Move the stronger leg forward with the cane.
D. Lift both feet together while using the cane.
Answer: B. Hold the cane on the stronger side of the body.
Rationale: The cane is held on the stronger side to widen the base of support and move with the
weaker leg, providing improved balance and stability.
3. Which nursing action demonstrates proper body mechanics when lifting a heavy object?
A. Bend at the waist and keep the knees straight.
B. Hold the object away from the body.
C. Bend at the knees and keep the object close to the body.
D. Twist the spine while lifting.
Answer: C. Bend at the knees and keep the object close to the body.
,Rationale: Using the large muscles of the legs and keeping the object close to the body reduces
strain on the back and decreases the risk of injury.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient on prolonged bed rest. Which complication is the priority
concern?
A. Increased appetite.
B. Pressure injuries.
C. Improved muscle strength.
D. Enhanced bone density.
Answer: B. Pressure injuries.
Rationale: Immobility increases prolonged pressure over bony prominences, reducing blood
flow and increasing the risk for pressure injuries.
5. Which position is most appropriate for a patient receiving an enema?
A. Supine.
B. Right lateral.
C. Left Sims'.
D. High-Fowler's.
Answer: C. Left Sims'.
Rationale: The left Sims' position follows the natural curve of the sigmoid colon, allowing the
solution to flow more easily into the large intestine.
6. A nurse is assisting a patient to ambulate for the first time after surgery. Which action should
the nurse take first?
A. Encourage the patient to walk quickly.
B. Dangle the patient's legs at the bedside and assess for dizziness.
C. Immediately walk the patient into the hallway.
D. Skip assessing vital signs.
Answer: B. Dangle the patient's legs at the bedside and assess for dizziness.
Rationale: Allowing the patient to sit at the bedside helps identify orthostatic hypotension and
reduces the risk of falls.
,7. Which patient is at greatest risk for developing contractures?
A. A patient who ambulates independently.
B. A patient with prolonged immobility following a stroke.
C. A patient recovering from a minor hand laceration.
D. A patient with seasonal allergies.
Answer: B. A patient with prolonged immobility following a stroke.
Rationale: Immobility and neurological impairment increase the risk of permanent shortening
of muscles and tendons, leading to contractures.
8. A nurse is teaching a patient to use a walker. Which instruction is correct?
A. Pull the walker toward the body while walking.
B. Lift and place the walker a short distance ahead before stepping into it.
C. Keep the walker behind the body during ambulation.
D. Walk without looking ahead.
Answer: B. Lift and place the walker a short distance ahead before stepping into it.
Rationale: The walker should be advanced first, followed by stepping into it while maintaining
balance and proper posture.
9. Which body position best promotes lung expansion in a patient experiencing shortness of
breath?
A. Trendelenburg.
B. Supine.
C. High-Fowler's.
D. Prone.
Answer: C. High-Fowler's.
Rationale: High-Fowler's position maximizes chest expansion, improves diaphragmatic
movement, and enhances oxygenation.
10. A nurse observes redness over a patient's sacrum during repositioning. What is the nurse's
priority action?
, A. Massage the reddened area.
B. Reposition the patient and relieve pressure from the area.
C. Apply direct heat.
D. Ignore the finding.
Answer: B. Reposition the patient and relieve pressure from the area.
Rationale: Relieving pressure helps restore tissue perfusion and prevents progression to a
pressure injury. Massaging reddened areas is not recommended.
11. A nurse is assisting a patient to use crutches. Which gait pattern is typically recommended
for a patient who is non-weight-bearing on one leg?
A. Four-point gait.
B. Two-point gait.
C. Three-point gait.
D. Swing-through gait.
Answer: C. Three-point gait.
Rationale: The three-point gait supports patients who cannot bear weight on one lower
extremity by advancing both crutches and the affected leg together, followed by the unaffected
leg.
12. Which nursing intervention helps prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in an immobile
patient?
A. Encourage prolonged bed rest.
B. Promote frequent leg exercises and early ambulation when appropriate.
C. Place pillows directly under the knees continuously.
D. Limit fluid intake.
Answer: B. Promote frequent leg exercises and early ambulation when appropriate.
Rationale: Movement promotes venous return, reducing venous stasis and the risk of deep vein
thrombosis.
13. A nurse is repositioning a patient in bed. Which action helps reduce friction and shear?
Mobility & Range of Motion
100 NCLEX®-Style Practice Questions with Detailed
Rationales
1. A nurse is preparing to transfer a patient from the bed to a chair. Which action should the
nurse perform first?
A. Lock the wheels of both the bed and the chair.
B. Stand directly in front of the patient without assessing their ability to assist.
C. Ask the patient to stand without assistance.
D. Lower the bed to its lowest position before the patient stands.
Answer: A. Lock the wheels of both the bed and the chair.
Rationale: Locking the wheels prevents movement of the bed and chair during the transfer,
reducing the risk of falls and ensuring patient safety.
2. A nurse teaches a patient how to use a cane. Which instruction is appropriate?
A. Hold the cane on the weaker side.
B. Hold the cane on the stronger side of the body.
C. Move the stronger leg forward with the cane.
D. Lift both feet together while using the cane.
Answer: B. Hold the cane on the stronger side of the body.
Rationale: The cane is held on the stronger side to widen the base of support and move with the
weaker leg, providing improved balance and stability.
3. Which nursing action demonstrates proper body mechanics when lifting a heavy object?
A. Bend at the waist and keep the knees straight.
B. Hold the object away from the body.
C. Bend at the knees and keep the object close to the body.
D. Twist the spine while lifting.
Answer: C. Bend at the knees and keep the object close to the body.
,Rationale: Using the large muscles of the legs and keeping the object close to the body reduces
strain on the back and decreases the risk of injury.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient on prolonged bed rest. Which complication is the priority
concern?
A. Increased appetite.
B. Pressure injuries.
C. Improved muscle strength.
D. Enhanced bone density.
Answer: B. Pressure injuries.
Rationale: Immobility increases prolonged pressure over bony prominences, reducing blood
flow and increasing the risk for pressure injuries.
5. Which position is most appropriate for a patient receiving an enema?
A. Supine.
B. Right lateral.
C. Left Sims'.
D. High-Fowler's.
Answer: C. Left Sims'.
Rationale: The left Sims' position follows the natural curve of the sigmoid colon, allowing the
solution to flow more easily into the large intestine.
6. A nurse is assisting a patient to ambulate for the first time after surgery. Which action should
the nurse take first?
A. Encourage the patient to walk quickly.
B. Dangle the patient's legs at the bedside and assess for dizziness.
C. Immediately walk the patient into the hallway.
D. Skip assessing vital signs.
Answer: B. Dangle the patient's legs at the bedside and assess for dizziness.
Rationale: Allowing the patient to sit at the bedside helps identify orthostatic hypotension and
reduces the risk of falls.
,7. Which patient is at greatest risk for developing contractures?
A. A patient who ambulates independently.
B. A patient with prolonged immobility following a stroke.
C. A patient recovering from a minor hand laceration.
D. A patient with seasonal allergies.
Answer: B. A patient with prolonged immobility following a stroke.
Rationale: Immobility and neurological impairment increase the risk of permanent shortening
of muscles and tendons, leading to contractures.
8. A nurse is teaching a patient to use a walker. Which instruction is correct?
A. Pull the walker toward the body while walking.
B. Lift and place the walker a short distance ahead before stepping into it.
C. Keep the walker behind the body during ambulation.
D. Walk without looking ahead.
Answer: B. Lift and place the walker a short distance ahead before stepping into it.
Rationale: The walker should be advanced first, followed by stepping into it while maintaining
balance and proper posture.
9. Which body position best promotes lung expansion in a patient experiencing shortness of
breath?
A. Trendelenburg.
B. Supine.
C. High-Fowler's.
D. Prone.
Answer: C. High-Fowler's.
Rationale: High-Fowler's position maximizes chest expansion, improves diaphragmatic
movement, and enhances oxygenation.
10. A nurse observes redness over a patient's sacrum during repositioning. What is the nurse's
priority action?
, A. Massage the reddened area.
B. Reposition the patient and relieve pressure from the area.
C. Apply direct heat.
D. Ignore the finding.
Answer: B. Reposition the patient and relieve pressure from the area.
Rationale: Relieving pressure helps restore tissue perfusion and prevents progression to a
pressure injury. Massaging reddened areas is not recommended.
11. A nurse is assisting a patient to use crutches. Which gait pattern is typically recommended
for a patient who is non-weight-bearing on one leg?
A. Four-point gait.
B. Two-point gait.
C. Three-point gait.
D. Swing-through gait.
Answer: C. Three-point gait.
Rationale: The three-point gait supports patients who cannot bear weight on one lower
extremity by advancing both crutches and the affected leg together, followed by the unaffected
leg.
12. Which nursing intervention helps prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in an immobile
patient?
A. Encourage prolonged bed rest.
B. Promote frequent leg exercises and early ambulation when appropriate.
C. Place pillows directly under the knees continuously.
D. Limit fluid intake.
Answer: B. Promote frequent leg exercises and early ambulation when appropriate.
Rationale: Movement promotes venous return, reducing venous stasis and the risk of deep vein
thrombosis.
13. A nurse is repositioning a patient in bed. Which action helps reduce friction and shear?
