NR 224 Fundamentals of Nursing - Week 5: Mobility and Immobility
Study Guide 2026 |Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is assessing a patient who has been immobile for several days. Which
of the following metabolic changes should the nurse expect?
A. Increased basal metabolic rate
B. Negative nitrogen balance
C. Positive nitrogen balance
D. Enhanced protein synthesis
Answer: B
Rationale: Immobility leads to the breakdown of amino acids and the excretion of
nitrogen, resulting in a negative nitrogen balance.
2. Which respiratory complication is most commonly associated with immobility
due to the pooling of secretions?
A. Pneumothorax
B. Hyperventilation
C. Hypostatic pneumonia
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypostatic pneumonia results from the stasis or pooling of secretions in the
lungs, which provides a medium for bacterial growth.
,3. To prevent orthostatic hypotension, which action should the nurse take
before assisting a patient to a standing position?
A. Perform vigorous range-of-motion exercises
B. Administer a bolus of IV fluids
C. Allow the patient to dangle their legs over the bedside
D. Place the patient in a Trendelenburg position
Answer: C
Rationale: Dangling allows the cardiovascular system to adjust to the change in position,
reducing the risk of a sudden drop in blood pressure.
4. Which of the following describes Virchow’s Triad, the three factors
contributing to venous thrombus formation?
A. Tachycardia, hypertension, and fever
B. Stasis of blood flow, endothelial damage, and hypercoagulability
C. Bradycardia, hypotension, and anemia
D. Vessel dilation, thin blood, and rapid circulation
Answer: B
Rationale: Virchow’s Triad includes damage to the vessel wall, alterations of blood flow
(stasis), and alterations in blood constituents (hypercoagulability).
5. A patient is experiencing ‘footdrop.’ This condition is characterized by which
of the following?
A. The foot is fixed in dorsiflexion
B. The foot is permanently fixed in plantar flexion
C. Inversion of the ankle
D. Eversion of the ankle
Answer: B
Rationale: Footdrop occurs when the foot is permanently fixed in plantar flexion, making it
difficult for the patient to lift the toes off the ground while walking.
, 6. Why does immobility increase the risk for renal calculi (kidney stones)?
A. Hypercalcemia from bone resorption causes calcium to spill into urine
B. Decreased fluid intake only
C. Increased urinary pH
D. Decreased bladder capacity
Answer: A
Rationale: Immobilized patients experience bone resorption, which releases calcium into
the blood (hypercalcemia); this calcium is then excreted by the kidneys, increasing stone
risk.
7. Which positioning aid is used to prevent external rotation of the hips when a
patient is in a supine position?
A. Trapeze bar
B. Footboard
C. Trochanter roll
D. Hand roll
Answer: C
Rationale: A trochanter roll prevents the hips and thighs from turning outward (external
rotation) in a supine patient.
8. When teaching a patient to use a cane, on which side should the patient hold
the cane?
A. The weaker side
B. The stronger side
C. The side of the dominant hand
D. Whichever side feels more comfortable
Answer: B
Rationale: The cane should be held on the stronger side of the body to provide maximum
support and balance (mnemonic: COAL - Cane Opposite Affected Leg).
Study Guide 2026 |Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is assessing a patient who has been immobile for several days. Which
of the following metabolic changes should the nurse expect?
A. Increased basal metabolic rate
B. Negative nitrogen balance
C. Positive nitrogen balance
D. Enhanced protein synthesis
Answer: B
Rationale: Immobility leads to the breakdown of amino acids and the excretion of
nitrogen, resulting in a negative nitrogen balance.
2. Which respiratory complication is most commonly associated with immobility
due to the pooling of secretions?
A. Pneumothorax
B. Hyperventilation
C. Hypostatic pneumonia
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypostatic pneumonia results from the stasis or pooling of secretions in the
lungs, which provides a medium for bacterial growth.
,3. To prevent orthostatic hypotension, which action should the nurse take
before assisting a patient to a standing position?
A. Perform vigorous range-of-motion exercises
B. Administer a bolus of IV fluids
C. Allow the patient to dangle their legs over the bedside
D. Place the patient in a Trendelenburg position
Answer: C
Rationale: Dangling allows the cardiovascular system to adjust to the change in position,
reducing the risk of a sudden drop in blood pressure.
4. Which of the following describes Virchow’s Triad, the three factors
contributing to venous thrombus formation?
A. Tachycardia, hypertension, and fever
B. Stasis of blood flow, endothelial damage, and hypercoagulability
C. Bradycardia, hypotension, and anemia
D. Vessel dilation, thin blood, and rapid circulation
Answer: B
Rationale: Virchow’s Triad includes damage to the vessel wall, alterations of blood flow
(stasis), and alterations in blood constituents (hypercoagulability).
5. A patient is experiencing ‘footdrop.’ This condition is characterized by which
of the following?
A. The foot is fixed in dorsiflexion
B. The foot is permanently fixed in plantar flexion
C. Inversion of the ankle
D. Eversion of the ankle
Answer: B
Rationale: Footdrop occurs when the foot is permanently fixed in plantar flexion, making it
difficult for the patient to lift the toes off the ground while walking.
, 6. Why does immobility increase the risk for renal calculi (kidney stones)?
A. Hypercalcemia from bone resorption causes calcium to spill into urine
B. Decreased fluid intake only
C. Increased urinary pH
D. Decreased bladder capacity
Answer: A
Rationale: Immobilized patients experience bone resorption, which releases calcium into
the blood (hypercalcemia); this calcium is then excreted by the kidneys, increasing stone
risk.
7. Which positioning aid is used to prevent external rotation of the hips when a
patient is in a supine position?
A. Trapeze bar
B. Footboard
C. Trochanter roll
D. Hand roll
Answer: C
Rationale: A trochanter roll prevents the hips and thighs from turning outward (external
rotation) in a supine patient.
8. When teaching a patient to use a cane, on which side should the patient hold
the cane?
A. The weaker side
B. The stronger side
C. The side of the dominant hand
D. Whichever side feels more comfortable
Answer: B
Rationale: The cane should be held on the stronger side of the body to provide maximum
support and balance (mnemonic: COAL - Cane Opposite Affected Leg).
