Basic Nursing Skills Patient Mobility & Positioning

Question 1

Which position is used for a patient in respiratory distress to maximize lung expansion?

Accepted Answer

High Fowler's (90 degrees)

Answer

High Fowler's position (head of bed at 90 degrees) uses gravity to lower the diaphragm and maximize thoracic expansion for patients in respiratory distress.

Question 2

The Trendelenburg position involves:

Accepted Answer

Supine with feet elevated higher than the head

Answer

Trendelenburg position has the patient supine with the lower extremities elevated above the head, formerly used for shock (use is now debated).

Question 3

Which position is used for a patient during a lumbar puncture?

Accepted Answer

Lateral recumbent (fetal position) or sitting with back curved

Answer

For a lumbar puncture, the patient is positioned in the lateral recumbent (fetal) position or seated and leaning forward to maximize vertebral space and access the subarachnoid space.

Question 4

When using a gait belt to assist a patient to ambulate, it should be placed:

Accepted Answer

Around the patient's waist, over clothing

Answer

A gait belt is secured snugly around the patient's waist (over clothing) to provide a secure grip for the nurse during ambulation assistance.

Question 5

The nurse is turning a patient every 2 hours. The primary purpose of this intervention is to:

Accepted Answer

Prevent pressure injuries by relieving pressure on bony prominences

Answer

Turning patients every 2 hours relieves sustained pressure on bony prominences, the primary cause of pressure injury development.

Basic Nursing Skills Practice Test

Basic Nursing Skills Practice Test

Basic Nursing Skills Patient Mobility & Positioning