ATI- RN Mobility Assessment Exam Questions
and Answers
A nurse is preparing a presentation about muscle function for a group of newly licensed
nurses. Which of the following information should the nurse plan to include? - -Muscles
assist with thermoregulation in the body.
Contracting muscles generate heat that assists in maintaining body temperature. Shivering
is an example of the muscles working to produce heat.
-A nurse is preparing a poster presentation about the musculoskeletal system. The nurse
should include that which of the following is responsible for body posture? - -Muscles
Skeletal muscles are attached to the skeleton. They maintain body posture and position.
-A nurse is preparing to transfer a client from a bed to a wheelchair. Which of the following
actions by nurse demonstrates proper use of the body mechanics? - -Looking at client face-
to-face when transferring the client
The nurse should look at the client face-to-face when transferring. This prevents twisting
or turning of the torso, which can cause back injuries.
-A nurse is caring for a client who requires total assistance with mobility. When using the
Mobility Assessment Tool (MAT), Which of the following pieces of equipment should the
nurse use to transfer the client? - -Mechanical lift
The nurse should identify that, according to the MAT, a client who requires total assistance
requires the use of a mechanical lift or slide board, along with assistance from one to two
personnel, to transfer the client.
-A nurse is caring for a client who had a stroke and is immobile. The nurse should identify
that the client is at risk for which of the following conditions? - -Deep Vein Thrombosis
The nurse should identify that the client is at risk for developing deep vein thrombosis.
Blood clots can develop when a client is immobile due to an increase in blood viscosity and
atrophy of the muscles. This can then result in decreased blood circulation, which can lead
to blood clots and deep vein thrombosis.
-A nurse is assessing a client's mobility and notes one of the client's feet drags behind them
when ambulating. Which of the following conditions should the nurse suspect the client is
experiencing? - -Foot drop
The nurse should suspect the client is experiencing foot drop. Foot drop occurs when the
joint of the foot becomes contracted and results in the inability to perform dorsiflexion, or
, pulling the toes upward. This is due to nerve damage that causes shortening of the muscle.
The foot is left with the toes pointing downward and in a dropped position.
-A nurse is performing a focused assessment on an older adult client's mobility. Which of
the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the client is experiencing an age-
related change to their musculoskeletal system? - -increased curvature of the thoracic
spine
The nurse should identify that an increased curvature of the thoracic spine, along with
protrusion of the neck, indicates an age-related change to the client's musculoskeletal
system. This occurs due to bone loss and degeneration of vertebral discs. This can cause the
client to lean forward when standing and have an unsteady gait when walking.
-A nurse is teaching an in-service about the use of ergonomics to a group of staff members.
Which of the following information should the nurse include? - -The use of ergonomics
increases job satisfaction.
The use of ergonomics increases job satisfaction along with productivity of staff members.
When staff members can work safely and effectively, they can perform at a higher level.
-A nurse is discussing proper body mechanics with a group of assistive personnel. Which
of the following information should the nurse include? - --A stable center of gravity
increases stability and balance
-A wide base lowers the center of gravity
-Proper body alignment involves tightening the abdomen
A stable center of gravity increases stability and balance is correct. Center of gravity is the
central point of weight of an object. While standing, center of gravity is an imaginary line
that begins at the umbilicus and intersects with the line of gravity. This increases the
body's stability and balance.
A wide base lowers the center of gravity is correct. A wide base lowers the center of
gravity, which increases stability and balance and prevents the body from falling over.
Proper body alignment involves tightening the abdomen is correct. When transferring
clients or lifting objects, the nurse should keep the back straight, the chin level, and tighten
abdominal muscles to maintain alignment.
-A nurse is caring for a client who requires maximum assistance to transfer from the bed to
a chair. Which of the following pieces of equipment should the nurse use? - -Mechanical lift
The nurse should use a mechanical lift, along with assistance from two or more health care
staff, to transfer a client who is unable to assist. The use of a mechanical lift decreases the
risk of injury to both the staff and the client.
and Answers
A nurse is preparing a presentation about muscle function for a group of newly licensed
nurses. Which of the following information should the nurse plan to include? - -Muscles
assist with thermoregulation in the body.
Contracting muscles generate heat that assists in maintaining body temperature. Shivering
is an example of the muscles working to produce heat.
-A nurse is preparing a poster presentation about the musculoskeletal system. The nurse
should include that which of the following is responsible for body posture? - -Muscles
Skeletal muscles are attached to the skeleton. They maintain body posture and position.
-A nurse is preparing to transfer a client from a bed to a wheelchair. Which of the following
actions by nurse demonstrates proper use of the body mechanics? - -Looking at client face-
to-face when transferring the client
The nurse should look at the client face-to-face when transferring. This prevents twisting
or turning of the torso, which can cause back injuries.
-A nurse is caring for a client who requires total assistance with mobility. When using the
Mobility Assessment Tool (MAT), Which of the following pieces of equipment should the
nurse use to transfer the client? - -Mechanical lift
The nurse should identify that, according to the MAT, a client who requires total assistance
requires the use of a mechanical lift or slide board, along with assistance from one to two
personnel, to transfer the client.
-A nurse is caring for a client who had a stroke and is immobile. The nurse should identify
that the client is at risk for which of the following conditions? - -Deep Vein Thrombosis
The nurse should identify that the client is at risk for developing deep vein thrombosis.
Blood clots can develop when a client is immobile due to an increase in blood viscosity and
atrophy of the muscles. This can then result in decreased blood circulation, which can lead
to blood clots and deep vein thrombosis.
-A nurse is assessing a client's mobility and notes one of the client's feet drags behind them
when ambulating. Which of the following conditions should the nurse suspect the client is
experiencing? - -Foot drop
The nurse should suspect the client is experiencing foot drop. Foot drop occurs when the
joint of the foot becomes contracted and results in the inability to perform dorsiflexion, or
, pulling the toes upward. This is due to nerve damage that causes shortening of the muscle.
The foot is left with the toes pointing downward and in a dropped position.
-A nurse is performing a focused assessment on an older adult client's mobility. Which of
the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the client is experiencing an age-
related change to their musculoskeletal system? - -increased curvature of the thoracic
spine
The nurse should identify that an increased curvature of the thoracic spine, along with
protrusion of the neck, indicates an age-related change to the client's musculoskeletal
system. This occurs due to bone loss and degeneration of vertebral discs. This can cause the
client to lean forward when standing and have an unsteady gait when walking.
-A nurse is teaching an in-service about the use of ergonomics to a group of staff members.
Which of the following information should the nurse include? - -The use of ergonomics
increases job satisfaction.
The use of ergonomics increases job satisfaction along with productivity of staff members.
When staff members can work safely and effectively, they can perform at a higher level.
-A nurse is discussing proper body mechanics with a group of assistive personnel. Which
of the following information should the nurse include? - --A stable center of gravity
increases stability and balance
-A wide base lowers the center of gravity
-Proper body alignment involves tightening the abdomen
A stable center of gravity increases stability and balance is correct. Center of gravity is the
central point of weight of an object. While standing, center of gravity is an imaginary line
that begins at the umbilicus and intersects with the line of gravity. This increases the
body's stability and balance.
A wide base lowers the center of gravity is correct. A wide base lowers the center of
gravity, which increases stability and balance and prevents the body from falling over.
Proper body alignment involves tightening the abdomen is correct. When transferring
clients or lifting objects, the nurse should keep the back straight, the chin level, and tighten
abdominal muscles to maintain alignment.
-A nurse is caring for a client who requires maximum assistance to transfer from the bed to
a chair. Which of the following pieces of equipment should the nurse use? - -Mechanical lift
The nurse should use a mechanical lift, along with assistance from two or more health care
staff, to transfer a client who is unable to assist. The use of a mechanical lift decreases the
risk of injury to both the staff and the client.
