NURS 104L: Patient Positioning & Mobility Skills - Advanced
Competency Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is preparing to logroll a patient who recently underwent spinal
surgery. Which action is the priority to ensure patient safety?
A. Place a pillow between the patient’s knees before turning.
B. Have the patient reach for the side rail to assist with the turn.
C. Ensure the patient’s head is turned in the direction of the roll.
D. Use a single-person assist technique to maintain the surgical line.
Answer: A
Rationale: Logrolling requires keeping the spinal column in alignment. Placing a pillow
between the knees prevents adduction and rotation of the spine. Patients should not assist
by reaching, and multiple staff are required.
2. A patient with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is
experiencing acute respiratory distress. Which position should the nurse
implement first?
A. Semi-Fowler’s position at 30 degrees.
B. Orthopneic position over a bedside table.
C. Supine position with the head of the bed flat.
D. Trendelenburg position to increase venous return.
Answer: B
Rationale: The orthopneic position (sitting up and leaning forward) allows for maximum
chest expansion and is the most effective for patients in severe respiratory distress.
,3. When educating a patient on the correct use of a cane for left-sided
weakness, which instruction is most accurate?
A. Hold the cane in the left hand and move it with the right leg.
B. Hold the cane in the right hand and move it with the right leg.
C. Hold the cane in the right hand and move it with the left leg.
D. Hold the cane in the left hand and move it with the left leg.
Answer: C
Rationale: The cane should be held on the ‘strong’ side (opposite the affected leg) to
provide a wider base of support and mirror natural gait. It moves forward simultaneously
with the ‘weak’ leg.
4. A nurse is assessing a patient for orthostatic hypotension before ambulation.
Which finding would necessitate returning the patient to a supine position?
A. A decrease in systolic blood pressure of 10 mmHg upon standing.
B. An increase in heart rate of 5 beats per minute.
C. The patient reports sudden dizziness and a 25 mmHg drop in systolic pressure.
D. The patient’s diastolic blood pressure increases by 5 mmHg.
Answer: C
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension is defined by a drop in systolic BP of at least 20 mmHg
or diastolic BP of at least 10 mmHg within 3 minutes of standing, accompanied by
symptoms like dizziness.
5. Which crutch gait is most appropriate for a patient who is required to be
strictly non-weight-bearing on the right leg?
A. Two-point gait.
B. Four-point gait.
C. Three-point gait.
D. Swing-through gait.
Answer: C
, Rationale: The three-point gait is used when one leg is non-weight-bearing. The patient
moves both crutches and the affected leg forward, then steps through with the unaffected
leg.
6. To prevent external rotation of the hips in a patient who is in the supine
position, the nurse should utilize:
A. A footboard.
B. Trochanter rolls.
C. A trapeze bar.
D. Abduction pillows.
Answer: B
Rationale: Trochanter rolls are placed from the iliac crest to the midthigh to prevent the
hips from rotating externally when the patient is supine.
7. A nurse is performing passive range-of-motion (ROM) exercises. Which action
demonstrates proper technique?
A. Moving the joint quickly to stimulate muscle fiber response.
B. Pushing the joint slightly beyond the point of resistance to increase flexibility.
C. Completing each exercise once to prevent patient fatigue.
D. Supporting the extremity at the joint while performing the movements.
Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse must support the limb above and below the joint. Movements should
be slow, smooth, and never forced beyond the point of resistance or pain.
Competency Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A nurse is preparing to logroll a patient who recently underwent spinal
surgery. Which action is the priority to ensure patient safety?
A. Place a pillow between the patient’s knees before turning.
B. Have the patient reach for the side rail to assist with the turn.
C. Ensure the patient’s head is turned in the direction of the roll.
D. Use a single-person assist technique to maintain the surgical line.
Answer: A
Rationale: Logrolling requires keeping the spinal column in alignment. Placing a pillow
between the knees prevents adduction and rotation of the spine. Patients should not assist
by reaching, and multiple staff are required.
2. A patient with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is
experiencing acute respiratory distress. Which position should the nurse
implement first?
A. Semi-Fowler’s position at 30 degrees.
B. Orthopneic position over a bedside table.
C. Supine position with the head of the bed flat.
D. Trendelenburg position to increase venous return.
Answer: B
Rationale: The orthopneic position (sitting up and leaning forward) allows for maximum
chest expansion and is the most effective for patients in severe respiratory distress.
,3. When educating a patient on the correct use of a cane for left-sided
weakness, which instruction is most accurate?
A. Hold the cane in the left hand and move it with the right leg.
B. Hold the cane in the right hand and move it with the right leg.
C. Hold the cane in the right hand and move it with the left leg.
D. Hold the cane in the left hand and move it with the left leg.
Answer: C
Rationale: The cane should be held on the ‘strong’ side (opposite the affected leg) to
provide a wider base of support and mirror natural gait. It moves forward simultaneously
with the ‘weak’ leg.
4. A nurse is assessing a patient for orthostatic hypotension before ambulation.
Which finding would necessitate returning the patient to a supine position?
A. A decrease in systolic blood pressure of 10 mmHg upon standing.
B. An increase in heart rate of 5 beats per minute.
C. The patient reports sudden dizziness and a 25 mmHg drop in systolic pressure.
D. The patient’s diastolic blood pressure increases by 5 mmHg.
Answer: C
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension is defined by a drop in systolic BP of at least 20 mmHg
or diastolic BP of at least 10 mmHg within 3 minutes of standing, accompanied by
symptoms like dizziness.
5. Which crutch gait is most appropriate for a patient who is required to be
strictly non-weight-bearing on the right leg?
A. Two-point gait.
B. Four-point gait.
C. Three-point gait.
D. Swing-through gait.
Answer: C
, Rationale: The three-point gait is used when one leg is non-weight-bearing. The patient
moves both crutches and the affected leg forward, then steps through with the unaffected
leg.
6. To prevent external rotation of the hips in a patient who is in the supine
position, the nurse should utilize:
A. A footboard.
B. Trochanter rolls.
C. A trapeze bar.
D. Abduction pillows.
Answer: B
Rationale: Trochanter rolls are placed from the iliac crest to the midthigh to prevent the
hips from rotating externally when the patient is supine.
7. A nurse is performing passive range-of-motion (ROM) exercises. Which action
demonstrates proper technique?
A. Moving the joint quickly to stimulate muscle fiber response.
B. Pushing the joint slightly beyond the point of resistance to increase flexibility.
C. Completing each exercise once to prevent patient fatigue.
D. Supporting the extremity at the joint while performing the movements.
Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse must support the limb above and below the joint. Movements should
be slow, smooth, and never forced beyond the point of resistance or pain.
