NR224 WEEK 5 MOBILITY ADVANCED
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient who has been bedridden for one week following abdominal surgery is at risk for a
negative nitrogen balance. Which physiological process best explains this occurrence?
A. Excessive intake of dietary protein leading to metabolic acidosis.
B. The body excreting more nitrogen than it ingests due to amino acid breakdown.
C. Decreased glomerular filtration rate resulting in nitrogen retention.
D. Malabsorption of carbohydrates in the small intestine.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: When a patient is immobile, the body often breaks down muscle
mass (protein) for energy. This leads to more nitrogen being excreted than ingested,
causing a negative nitrogen balance which hinders wound healing.
2. Which respiratory complication is characterized by the collapse of alveoli and is a common
risk for immobile postoperative patients?
A. Pneumothorax
B. Atelectasis
,C. Pulmonary Edema
D. Bronchospasm
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Atelectasis is the collapse of alveoli, preventing normal exchange
of oxygen and carbon dioxide. It is a common complication of immobility because of
shallow breathing and pooling of secretions.
3. A nurse is assessing a patient for orthostatic hypotension. Which finding would confirm this
condition?
A. An increase in heart rate by 5 beats per minute upon sitting up.
B. A decrease in systolic pressure by 20 mm Hg when moving from supine to standing.
C. A systolic blood pressure remaining stable at 120 mm Hg.
D. A decrease in diastolic pressure by 5 mm Hg after standing for 5 minutes.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a drop in systolic blood
pressure of 20 mm Hg or more, or a drop in diastolic blood pressure of 10 mm Hg or more
within 3 minutes of rising to an upright position.
4. Virchow’s Triad describes three factors that contribute to venous thrombus formation.
Which of the following is NOT part of the triad?
A. Damage to the vessel wall
, B. Alterations in blood flow (stasis)
C. Decreased cardiac output
D. Alterations in blood constituents (hypercoagulability)
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Virchow’s Triad consists of endothelial damage,
hypercoagulability, and venous stasis. Decreased cardiac output may contribute to stasis
but is not one of the three primary pillars of the triad.
5. An immobile patient has developed a permanent shortening of a muscle, resulting in the
inability to fully extend the joint. This is known as:
A. Contracture
B. Ankylosis
C. Atrophy
D. Disuse osteoporosis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A contracture is an abnormal and possibly permanent condition
characterized by fixation of a joint, caused by disuse and shortening of muscle fibers.
6. Which assessment finding is most indicative of a developing Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
in an immobile patient?
A. Bilateral cool extremities
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient who has been bedridden for one week following abdominal surgery is at risk for a
negative nitrogen balance. Which physiological process best explains this occurrence?
A. Excessive intake of dietary protein leading to metabolic acidosis.
B. The body excreting more nitrogen than it ingests due to amino acid breakdown.
C. Decreased glomerular filtration rate resulting in nitrogen retention.
D. Malabsorption of carbohydrates in the small intestine.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: When a patient is immobile, the body often breaks down muscle
mass (protein) for energy. This leads to more nitrogen being excreted than ingested,
causing a negative nitrogen balance which hinders wound healing.
2. Which respiratory complication is characterized by the collapse of alveoli and is a common
risk for immobile postoperative patients?
A. Pneumothorax
B. Atelectasis
,C. Pulmonary Edema
D. Bronchospasm
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Atelectasis is the collapse of alveoli, preventing normal exchange
of oxygen and carbon dioxide. It is a common complication of immobility because of
shallow breathing and pooling of secretions.
3. A nurse is assessing a patient for orthostatic hypotension. Which finding would confirm this
condition?
A. An increase in heart rate by 5 beats per minute upon sitting up.
B. A decrease in systolic pressure by 20 mm Hg when moving from supine to standing.
C. A systolic blood pressure remaining stable at 120 mm Hg.
D. A decrease in diastolic pressure by 5 mm Hg after standing for 5 minutes.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a drop in systolic blood
pressure of 20 mm Hg or more, or a drop in diastolic blood pressure of 10 mm Hg or more
within 3 minutes of rising to an upright position.
4. Virchow’s Triad describes three factors that contribute to venous thrombus formation.
Which of the following is NOT part of the triad?
A. Damage to the vessel wall
, B. Alterations in blood flow (stasis)
C. Decreased cardiac output
D. Alterations in blood constituents (hypercoagulability)
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Virchow’s Triad consists of endothelial damage,
hypercoagulability, and venous stasis. Decreased cardiac output may contribute to stasis
but is not one of the three primary pillars of the triad.
5. An immobile patient has developed a permanent shortening of a muscle, resulting in the
inability to fully extend the joint. This is known as:
A. Contracture
B. Ankylosis
C. Atrophy
D. Disuse osteoporosis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A contracture is an abnormal and possibly permanent condition
characterized by fixation of a joint, caused by disuse and shortening of muscle fibers.
6. Which assessment finding is most indicative of a developing Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
in an immobile patient?
A. Bilateral cool extremities
