NR224 WEEK 4 EDAPTS - MOBILITY
HIGH-LEVEL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. A patient who has been bedridden for one week is at risk for a negative nitrogen balance.
Which physiological process explains this phenomenon?
A. Excessive intake of dietary protein leading to metabolic overload.
B. Increased catabolism of body protein exceeding protein synthesis.
C. Decreased renal excretion of nitrogenous waste products.
D. Rapid synthesis of amino acids during periods of physical inactivity.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Immobility triggers the breakdown of body protein
(catabolism), which releases nitrogen. When more nitrogen is excreted than ingested, a
negative nitrogen balance occurs, leading to muscle wasting.
2. When assessing for orthostatic hypotension in an immobile patient, which finding indicates
a positive result?
A. A systolic blood pressure drop of 10 mmHg within 3 minutes of standing.
,B. A diastolic blood pressure increase of 5 mmHg upon sitting up.
C. A systolic blood pressure drop of 20 mmHg or a diastolic drop of 10 mmHg when
changing positions.
D. A heart rate decrease of 15 beats per minute during position changes.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Orthostatic hypotension is clinically defined as a drop in systolic
BP of at least 20 mmHg or a drop in diastolic BP of at least 10 mmHg within 3 minutes of
standing or sitting up.
3. Which of the following is a primary respiratory complication associated with prolonged
immobility?
A. Hyperventilation due to increased metabolic demand.
B. Increased surfactant production in the alveolar sacs.
C. Bronchial dilation leading to increased oxygen exchange.
D. Atelectasis resulting from collapse of the alveoli.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Immobility limits chest expansion and leads to pooling of
secretions, which can block bronchioles and cause the collapse of alveoli, known as
atelectasis.
, 4. A nurse is caring for a patient at risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which component of
Virchow’s Triad is most directly impacted by immobility?
A. Hypercoagulability of the blood.
B. Endothelial damage to the vessel wall.
C. Stasis of venous blood flow.
D. Activation of the extrinsic clotting pathway.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Virchow’s Triad includes venous stasis, endothelial damage, and
hypercoagulability. Immobility leads to blood pooling in the lower extremities due to the
lack of the skeletal muscle pump, representing venous stasis.
5. Which metabolic change occurs as a result of prolonged immobility?
A. Increased basal metabolic rate (BMR).
B. Improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity.
C. Hypercalcemia due to calcium resorption from bones.
D. Decreased urinary excretion of phosphorus.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Immobility causes calcium to leave the bones and enter the
bloodstream (resorption), which can lead to hypercalcemia and pathological fractures.
HIGH-LEVEL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. A patient who has been bedridden for one week is at risk for a negative nitrogen balance.
Which physiological process explains this phenomenon?
A. Excessive intake of dietary protein leading to metabolic overload.
B. Increased catabolism of body protein exceeding protein synthesis.
C. Decreased renal excretion of nitrogenous waste products.
D. Rapid synthesis of amino acids during periods of physical inactivity.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Immobility triggers the breakdown of body protein
(catabolism), which releases nitrogen. When more nitrogen is excreted than ingested, a
negative nitrogen balance occurs, leading to muscle wasting.
2. When assessing for orthostatic hypotension in an immobile patient, which finding indicates
a positive result?
A. A systolic blood pressure drop of 10 mmHg within 3 minutes of standing.
,B. A diastolic blood pressure increase of 5 mmHg upon sitting up.
C. A systolic blood pressure drop of 20 mmHg or a diastolic drop of 10 mmHg when
changing positions.
D. A heart rate decrease of 15 beats per minute during position changes.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Orthostatic hypotension is clinically defined as a drop in systolic
BP of at least 20 mmHg or a drop in diastolic BP of at least 10 mmHg within 3 minutes of
standing or sitting up.
3. Which of the following is a primary respiratory complication associated with prolonged
immobility?
A. Hyperventilation due to increased metabolic demand.
B. Increased surfactant production in the alveolar sacs.
C. Bronchial dilation leading to increased oxygen exchange.
D. Atelectasis resulting from collapse of the alveoli.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Immobility limits chest expansion and leads to pooling of
secretions, which can block bronchioles and cause the collapse of alveoli, known as
atelectasis.
, 4. A nurse is caring for a patient at risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which component of
Virchow’s Triad is most directly impacted by immobility?
A. Hypercoagulability of the blood.
B. Endothelial damage to the vessel wall.
C. Stasis of venous blood flow.
D. Activation of the extrinsic clotting pathway.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Virchow’s Triad includes venous stasis, endothelial damage, and
hypercoagulability. Immobility leads to blood pooling in the lower extremities due to the
lack of the skeletal muscle pump, representing venous stasis.
5. Which metabolic change occurs as a result of prolonged immobility?
A. Increased basal metabolic rate (BMR).
B. Improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity.
C. Hypercalcemia due to calcium resorption from bones.
D. Decreased urinary excretion of phosphorus.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Immobility causes calcium to leave the bones and enter the
bloodstream (resorption), which can lead to hypercalcemia and pathological fractures.
