HESI LPN–ADN ENTRANCE EXAM: MOBILITY FOCUS
Elsevier Evolve Comprehensive Practice Q&A With
Rationales (2026/2027) Already Graded A+
Guaranteed Pass
TOPIC 1: SAFE PATIENT HANDLING & BODY MECHANICS
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to transfer a patient with left-sided weakness from the bed to a wheelchair.
Where should the wheelchair be positioned?
A) Parallel to the bed on the patient's weak side
B) Parallel to the bed on the patient's strong side
C) At the foot of the bed
D) Facing away from the bed
Answer: B
Rationale: Positioning the wheelchair on the strong side allows the patient to pivot toward the
stronger leg and push up with the stronger arm, making the transfer safer and more stable.
Placing it on the weak side makes the pivot more difficult and increases fall risk .
Question 2
Which body mechanics principle is correct when lifting a patient?
A) Keep feet close together while lifting
B) Twist at the waist while moving a patient
C) Use the strong muscles of the legs and hips to lift
D) Keep knees locked when standing for long periods
Answer: C
Rationale: The large muscles of the legs and hips provide the greatest strength and are least
likely to be injured. Twisting and locked knees increase injury risk .
Question 3
A nurse is using a gait belt to assist a patient with ambulation. Where should the gait belt be
placed?
,A) Around the patient's chest
B) Around the patient's waist over clothing
C) Around the patient's thighs
D) Around the patient's neck for support
Answer: B
Rationale: The gait belt is placed around the patient's waist over clothing (not bare skin) to
prevent skin breakdown. It provides a secure point for the nurse to stabilize and assist during
transfers.
Question 4
Which action by the nurse demonstrates proper body mechanics when lifting a box from the
floor?
A) Bending at the waist with knees straight
B) Keeping the load close to the body while lifting with legs
C) Twisting the torso while lifting
D) Reaching forward with arms extended
Answer: B
Rationale: Keeping the load close to the body minimizes torque on the spine. Bending at the
knees and using leg muscles protects the back from injury.
Question 5
When two nurses are lifting a patient using a friction-reducing sheet, what is the most
important safety action?
A) Coordinate the lift with a verbal count
B) Lift quickly to minimize time
C) Keep feet together for balance
D) Twist at the waist to position the patient
Answer: A
Rationale: Verbal coordination (e.g., "on the count of three") ensures both nurses lift
simultaneously, preventing uneven force on the patient and reducing injury risk for staff.
Question 6
A patient who is 6 hours post-cardiac surgery is preparing to ambulate. What should the nurse
do first to ensure tolerance?
,A) Provide a walker and gait belt
B) Remove telemetry equipment
C) Administer prescribed analgesic 30 minutes prior
D) Encourage deep breathing during the walk
Answer: C
Rationale: Pain is the primary barrier to early mobilization. Pre-medicating with an opioid-
sparing analgesic approximately 30 minutes before activity optimizes the patient's functional
capacity and adheres to Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols .
Question 7
The nurse is transferring a patient from the bed to a stretcher. What action is most important?
A) Raise the bed to a high position
B) Lock the wheels of the bed and stretcher
C) Remove the patient's shoes
D) Position the stretcher at the foot of the bed
Answer: B
Rationale: Locking the wheels of both the bed and stretcher prevents movement during
transfer and reduces the risk of falls and injury .
Question 8
A nurse is using a mechanical total-body lift for a dependent bariatric patient. Which action is
correct?
A) Use the lift alone to save time
B) Position the sling under the patient's axillae
C) Lower the patient slowly and steadily into the chair
D) Lift the patient as quickly as possible
Answer: C
Rationale: The patient should be lowered slowly and steadily to prevent sudden jarring or
injury. Mechanical lifts should be used with assistance, and the sling must be positioned
correctly (not under axillae) .
Question 9
To perform a log-rolling maneuver for a patient with a spinal injury, the nurse should:
A) Place one hand on the patient's shoulder and one on the hip, rolling in one smooth motion
B) Lift the patient's head and shoulders first, then the hips
, C) Have the patient push off with feet while nurse pulls draw sheet
D) Roll the patient in segments
Answer: A
Rationale: Log-rolling keeps the spine in straight alignment. One hand on the shoulder and one
on the hip rolls the entire body as a unit to prevent further injury .
Question 10
Which patient is an appropriate candidate for logrolling?
A) Patient with a hip fracture
B) Patient with spinal surgery
C) Patient with a knee replacement
D) Patient with an arm amputation
Answer: B
Rationale: Logrolling maintains spinal alignment and is indicated for spinal surgery, spinal
injury, or suspected cord trauma .
TOPIC 2: GAIT PATTERNS & ASSISTIVE DEVICES
Question 11
Which gait pattern is most appropriate for a patient with weakness in both legs and poor
coordination?
A) Two-point gait
B) Four-point gait
C) Swing-to gait
D) Three-point gait
Answer: B
Rationale: A four-point gait provides maximum stability because it keeps three points of
contact with the ground at all times. It is ideal for patients with bilateral weakness or poor
coordination .
Question 12
A patient with a right below-knee amputation (BKA) is learning to use crutches. Which gait
should the nurse teach for weight bearing on the left leg only?
Elsevier Evolve Comprehensive Practice Q&A With
Rationales (2026/2027) Already Graded A+
Guaranteed Pass
TOPIC 1: SAFE PATIENT HANDLING & BODY MECHANICS
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to transfer a patient with left-sided weakness from the bed to a wheelchair.
Where should the wheelchair be positioned?
A) Parallel to the bed on the patient's weak side
B) Parallel to the bed on the patient's strong side
C) At the foot of the bed
D) Facing away from the bed
Answer: B
Rationale: Positioning the wheelchair on the strong side allows the patient to pivot toward the
stronger leg and push up with the stronger arm, making the transfer safer and more stable.
Placing it on the weak side makes the pivot more difficult and increases fall risk .
Question 2
Which body mechanics principle is correct when lifting a patient?
A) Keep feet close together while lifting
B) Twist at the waist while moving a patient
C) Use the strong muscles of the legs and hips to lift
D) Keep knees locked when standing for long periods
Answer: C
Rationale: The large muscles of the legs and hips provide the greatest strength and are least
likely to be injured. Twisting and locked knees increase injury risk .
Question 3
A nurse is using a gait belt to assist a patient with ambulation. Where should the gait belt be
placed?
,A) Around the patient's chest
B) Around the patient's waist over clothing
C) Around the patient's thighs
D) Around the patient's neck for support
Answer: B
Rationale: The gait belt is placed around the patient's waist over clothing (not bare skin) to
prevent skin breakdown. It provides a secure point for the nurse to stabilize and assist during
transfers.
Question 4
Which action by the nurse demonstrates proper body mechanics when lifting a box from the
floor?
A) Bending at the waist with knees straight
B) Keeping the load close to the body while lifting with legs
C) Twisting the torso while lifting
D) Reaching forward with arms extended
Answer: B
Rationale: Keeping the load close to the body minimizes torque on the spine. Bending at the
knees and using leg muscles protects the back from injury.
Question 5
When two nurses are lifting a patient using a friction-reducing sheet, what is the most
important safety action?
A) Coordinate the lift with a verbal count
B) Lift quickly to minimize time
C) Keep feet together for balance
D) Twist at the waist to position the patient
Answer: A
Rationale: Verbal coordination (e.g., "on the count of three") ensures both nurses lift
simultaneously, preventing uneven force on the patient and reducing injury risk for staff.
Question 6
A patient who is 6 hours post-cardiac surgery is preparing to ambulate. What should the nurse
do first to ensure tolerance?
,A) Provide a walker and gait belt
B) Remove telemetry equipment
C) Administer prescribed analgesic 30 minutes prior
D) Encourage deep breathing during the walk
Answer: C
Rationale: Pain is the primary barrier to early mobilization. Pre-medicating with an opioid-
sparing analgesic approximately 30 minutes before activity optimizes the patient's functional
capacity and adheres to Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols .
Question 7
The nurse is transferring a patient from the bed to a stretcher. What action is most important?
A) Raise the bed to a high position
B) Lock the wheels of the bed and stretcher
C) Remove the patient's shoes
D) Position the stretcher at the foot of the bed
Answer: B
Rationale: Locking the wheels of both the bed and stretcher prevents movement during
transfer and reduces the risk of falls and injury .
Question 8
A nurse is using a mechanical total-body lift for a dependent bariatric patient. Which action is
correct?
A) Use the lift alone to save time
B) Position the sling under the patient's axillae
C) Lower the patient slowly and steadily into the chair
D) Lift the patient as quickly as possible
Answer: C
Rationale: The patient should be lowered slowly and steadily to prevent sudden jarring or
injury. Mechanical lifts should be used with assistance, and the sling must be positioned
correctly (not under axillae) .
Question 9
To perform a log-rolling maneuver for a patient with a spinal injury, the nurse should:
A) Place one hand on the patient's shoulder and one on the hip, rolling in one smooth motion
B) Lift the patient's head and shoulders first, then the hips
, C) Have the patient push off with feet while nurse pulls draw sheet
D) Roll the patient in segments
Answer: A
Rationale: Log-rolling keeps the spine in straight alignment. One hand on the shoulder and one
on the hip rolls the entire body as a unit to prevent further injury .
Question 10
Which patient is an appropriate candidate for logrolling?
A) Patient with a hip fracture
B) Patient with spinal surgery
C) Patient with a knee replacement
D) Patient with an arm amputation
Answer: B
Rationale: Logrolling maintains spinal alignment and is indicated for spinal surgery, spinal
injury, or suspected cord trauma .
TOPIC 2: GAIT PATTERNS & ASSISTIVE DEVICES
Question 11
Which gait pattern is most appropriate for a patient with weakness in both legs and poor
coordination?
A) Two-point gait
B) Four-point gait
C) Swing-to gait
D) Three-point gait
Answer: B
Rationale: A four-point gait provides maximum stability because it keeps three points of
contact with the ground at all times. It is ideal for patients with bilateral weakness or poor
coordination .
Question 12
A patient with a right below-knee amputation (BKA) is learning to use crutches. Which gait
should the nurse teach for weight bearing on the left leg only?
