Mobility & positioning NCLEX-RN Practice Questions help you master safe client handling, prevent complications of immobility, and optimize recovery across diverse clinical settings. In this topic-wise set, you will apply core principles from the Basic Care & Comfort domain: body mechanics, transfers, assistive devices, pressure injury prevention, and condition-specific positioning. These questions reflect real NCLEX-RN complexity, testing decision-making for clients with neurological, orthopedic, cardiovascular, respiratory, and postoperative needs. You’ll also reinforce key precautions for traction, spinal stability, and aspiration risk. Use this resource to sharpen clinical reasoning, elevate safety awareness, and build confidence with evidence-based positioning and mobility techniques essential for day-to-day nursing practice and high-stakes exam performance.
Q1. The nurse plans to ambulate a postoperative client. Which finding is a contraindication to using a gait belt?
- Recent abdominal surgery with a midline incision
- History of mild peripheral neuropathy
- Obesity with a BMI of 36 kg/m²
- Use of a rolling walker at home
Correct Answer: Recent abdominal surgery with a midline incision
Q2. When fitting axillary crutches, what clearance should exist between the client’s axilla and the crutch pad?
- No clearance; pads should touch the axilla for stability
- About 1 inch below the axilla
- 2–3 finger widths between the axilla and crutch pad
- 3–4 inches below the axilla
Correct Answer: 2–3 finger widths between the axilla and crutch pad
Q3. A client using a cane asks how to go up stairs safely. Which sequence is correct?
- Cane first, then weaker leg, then stronger leg
- Stronger leg first, then cane and weaker leg together
- Weaker leg first, then cane, then stronger leg
- Move both legs at the same time after placing the cane on the step
Correct Answer: Stronger leg first, then cane and weaker leg together
Q4. Which position best reduces intracranial pressure (ICP) in a client with traumatic brain injury?
- High Fowler’s with hip flexion >90°
- Trendelenburg with head turned to one side
- Supine with the head flat and knees flexed
- Head of bed at 30°, head and neck midline, hips neutral
Correct Answer: Head of bed at 30°, head and neck midline, hips neutral
Q5. After a percutaneous liver biopsy, how should the nurse position the client?
- Left lateral with a pillow between the knees
- Right lateral with a pillow under the biopsy site
- Supine with head of bed elevated 60°
- Prone with a small abdominal pillow
Correct Answer: Right lateral with a pillow under the biopsy site
Q6. To minimize pressure injury risk in a bedbound client placed on the side, which positioning strategy is best?
- 90° lateral position with hips stacked
- 30° lateral tilt with pillows to offload bony prominences
- Trendelenburg with knees extended
- Prone with arms overhead
Correct Answer: 30° lateral tilt with pillows to offload bony prominences
Q7. Which instruction is appropriate for a client after a posterior total hip arthroplasty?
- Cross your legs at the ankles to prevent swelling
- Keep an abduction pillow between your legs while in bed
- Use low, soft chairs for comfort
- Bend at the waist to reach items on the floor
Correct Answer: Keep an abduction pillow between your legs while in bed
Q8. The nurse prepares to turn a client 12 hours after a lumbar spinal fusion. Which technique is correct?
- Use a drawsheet and rotate the shoulders first, then the hips
- Logroll the client in one motion with the spine in neutral alignment
- Raise the head of bed to 60° before turning
- Have the client twist at the waist while the nurse stabilizes the legs
Correct Answer: Logroll the client in one motion with the spine in neutral alignment
Q9. A client is in Buck’s traction for a hip fracture. Which action is appropriate?
- Remove the weights temporarily to reposition the client
- Allow the weights to rest on the floor to prevent movement
- Keep the affected leg straight with weights hanging freely
- Elevate the head of bed to 60° to promote comfort
Correct Answer: Keep the affected leg straight with weights hanging freely
Q10. When transferring a client with right-sided hemiplegia from bed to chair, which is the safest plan?
- Pivot toward the weaker side to strengthen it
- Have the client pull on the nurse’s neck for leverage
- Place the chair on the client’s stronger side and pivot toward it
- Lift under the client’s axillae to expedite transfer
Correct Answer: Place the chair on the client’s stronger side and pivot toward it
Q11. Which intervention best prevents foot drop in an immobile client?
- Place a pillow under the knees continuously
- Apply posterior foot splints/boots to maintain neutral dorsiflexion
- Keep the toes pointed with ankle plantarflexed
- Use tight bed linens tucked under the feet
Correct Answer: Apply posterior foot splints/boots to maintain neutral dorsiflexion
Q12. What is the optimal position after a thyroidectomy?
- Supine with a flat pillow and neck hyperextended
- Semi-Fowler’s with the neck in neutral alignment, supported by pillows
- High Fowler’s with the head rotated to the operative side
- Trendelenburg with shoulder rolls
Correct Answer: Semi-Fowler’s with the neck in neutral alignment, supported by pillows
Q13. A client receiving continuous gastric tube feeding is at risk for aspiration. What is the priority position?
- Supine with head of bed flat
- Left lateral with head neutral
- High Fowler’s during feeding and for 30–60 minutes afterward
- Trendelenburg to facilitate gastric emptying
Correct Answer: High Fowler’s during feeding and for 30–60 minutes afterward
Q14. A client with COPD reports dyspnea. Which position best improves ventilation?
- Supine with knees flexed
- Side-lying with head of bed flat
- Orthopneic (sitting leaning forward on an overbed table)
- Prone with a small pillow under the chest
Correct Answer: Orthopneic (sitting leaning forward on an overbed table)
Q15. Immediately after femoral cardiac catheterization, what position is recommended?
- High Fowler’s with the affected leg bent
- Supine with the affected leg straight; head of bed ≤30°
- Ambulate with assistance after 30 minutes
- Side-lying on the unaffected side with hips flexed
Correct Answer: Supine with the affected leg straight; head of bed ≤30°
Q16. During removal of a central venous catheter, the client suddenly becomes short of breath and hypotensive. Which position should the nurse use while activating emergency response?
- Supine with a small pillow under the head
- High Fowler’s with legs elevated
- Left lateral Trendelenburg
- Right lateral with the head elevated
Correct Answer: Left lateral Trendelenburg
Q17. Which instruction is correct for safe walker use?
- Push the walker forward, then step first with the stronger leg
- Move the walker forward, step with the weaker leg, then the stronger leg
- Keep elbows fully extended while walking
- Place the walker too far ahead to lengthen the stride
Correct Answer: Move the walker forward, step with the weaker leg, then the stronger leg
Q18. Sequential compression devices (SCDs) are contraindicated for which client?
- A postoperative client without vascular disease
- A client with a known deep vein thrombosis in the limb
- A client with controlled hypertension
- A client 12 hours after vaginal delivery
Correct Answer: A client with a known deep vein thrombosis in the limb
Q19. Which is the safest method for securing wrist restraints on an agitated adult?
- Tie restraints to the side rails using a square knot
- Tie restraints to the bed frame with a quick-release (slip) knot
- Secure restraints behind the bed to limit access
- Apply restraints snugly enough to prevent two-finger insertion
Correct Answer: Tie restraints to the bed frame with a quick-release (slip) knot
Q20. To prevent hip flexion contractures after a transfemoral (above-knee) amputation, which teaching is best?
- Place a pillow under the residual limb continuously
- Lie prone for 30 minutes 3–4 times per day
- Sit in a chair most of the day to improve tolerance
- Keep the hip flexed with the head of bed elevated
Correct Answer: Lie prone for 30 minutes 3–4 times per day
Q21. Before ambulating an older adult who has been on bed rest, which action best reduces orthostatic hypotension risk?
- Administer a rapid IV fluid bolus
- Hyperventilate for 60 seconds
- Have the client dangle legs at the bedside for 1–2 minutes
- Apply a heating pad to the lower extremities
Correct Answer: Have the client dangle legs at the bedside for 1–2 minutes
Q22. Which strategy best addresses unilateral neglect in a client after a left-hemispheric stroke with right-sided weakness?
- Place the call light on the affected (right) side
- Approach from the unaffected side and cue scanning to the neglected side
- Encourage using only the affected arm for tasks
- Apply a restraint to the unaffected arm to promote use of the affected arm
Correct Answer: Approach from the unaffected side and cue scanning to the neglected side
Q23. What is the preferred position after a lumbar puncture to reduce post-procedure headache (per traditional guidance)?
- High Fowler’s with neck flexed
- Supine with the head flat for several hours
- Trendelenburg with knees flexed
- Right lateral with head of bed elevated
Correct Answer: Supine with the head flat for several hours
Q24. Which position is best for administering a cleansing enema?
- Right lateral with left knee flexed
- Left Sims’ (left lateral) with right knee flexed
- Prone with a pillow under the abdomen
- Supine with legs straight
Correct Answer: Left Sims’ (left lateral) with right knee flexed
Q25. What is the safest setup for a bed-to-wheelchair transfer?
- Lock the bed only; leave wheelchair mobile for adjustment
- Keep wheelchair footrests extended; minimize time standing
- Lock both bed and wheelchair, raise/flip footrests, apply gait belt and non-skid footwear
- Have the client hold the nurse’s shoulders instead of a gait belt
Correct Answer: Lock both bed and wheelchair, raise/flip footrests, apply gait belt and non-skid footwear
Q26. A client in skeletal traction reports discomfort. Which situation requires immediate nursing intervention?
- Traction weights resting on the floor
- Mild muscle spasms during the first 24 hours
- Serous drainage at pin sites
- Warm skin and palpable pedal pulses
Correct Answer: Traction weights resting on the floor
Q27. A trauma client with a suspected cervical spine injury arrives from the ED. Which initial position is safest?
- High Fowler’s with head turned to one side
- Trendelenburg to support blood pressure
- Supine on a firm surface with head and neck in neutral alignment
- Semi-Fowler’s with pillows behind the neck
Correct Answer: Supine on a firm surface with head and neck in neutral alignment
Q28. What is the best position for a child immediately after a tonsillectomy?
- Supine with head of bed elevated
- Side-lying or prone to facilitate drainage
- High Fowler’s with head extended
- Trendelenburg to reduce bleeding
Correct Answer: Side-lying or prone to facilitate drainage
Q29. Which sleeping position is recommended in late pregnancy to reduce vena cava compression and improve uteroplacental perfusion?
- Supine with a small pillow under the knees
- Right lateral recumbent
- Left lateral recumbent
- Prone with a pregnancy pillow
Correct Answer: Left lateral recumbent
Q30. A client using a cane asks how to descend stairs safely. Which sequence is correct?
- Stronger leg first, then cane and weaker leg together
- Cane first, then weaker leg, then stronger leg
- Both legs together after placing the cane down
- Weaker leg first, then stronger leg, then cane
Correct Answer: Cane first, then weaker leg, then stronger leg
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