STNA Restorative Care and Mobility 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When assisting a patient to stand from a wheelchair, the nurse aide should position the wheelchair:
- Directly facing the destination with brakes unlocked
- At a 45-degree angle to the destination surface with brakes locked (Correct answer)
- Directly beside the bed with brakes unlocked
- At a 90-degree angle to the patient's bed
Correct answer: At a 45-degree angle to the destination surface with brakes locked
Positioning the wheelchair at a 45-degree angle to the destination with brakes locked minimizes the distance the patient must pivot and prevents the wheelchair from moving.
Question 2: During passive range-of-motion exercises, the nurse aide should move each joint:
- To the point of pain to increase flexibility
- Smoothly and slowly to the point of slight resistance, then stop (Correct answer)
- As quickly as possible to complete all joints efficiently
- Only in the direction the patient prefers
Correct answer: Smoothly and slowly to the point of slight resistance, then stop
Joints should be moved smoothly and slowly to the point of slight resistance; moving beyond this point or into pain can cause injury.
Question 3: A patient who had a stroke has left-sided hemiplegia. When helping the patient walk with a cane, the cane should be used on which side?
- The left (weak) side
- The right (stronger) side (Correct answer)
- Either side based on patient preference
- No cane is needed if a walker is available
Correct answer: The right (stronger) side
The cane is held on the stronger side so the patient can shift weight onto the cane and the strong leg when the weak leg bears weight, providing the most stable gait pattern.
Question 4: What is the correct sequence of steps when helping a patient with hemiplegia walk using a cane?
- Cane forward → strong leg → weak leg
- Weak leg → cane → strong leg
- Cane forward → weak leg → strong leg (Correct answer)
- Strong leg → cane → weak leg
Correct answer: Cane forward → weak leg → strong leg
The correct sequence is: advance the cane, then step forward with the weak leg, then bring the strong leg forward — this provides maximum support during the weak leg's weight-bearing phase.
Question 5: The nurse aide notices a patient is sliding down in the wheelchair during a meal. The first action should be:
- Apply a vest restraint to hold the patient upright
- Reposition the patient safely upright after locking the wheelchair (Correct answer)
- Continue the meal and reposition afterward
- Ask the patient to pull themselves up independently
Correct answer: Reposition the patient safely upright after locking the wheelchair
Sliding in a wheelchair is a safety and comfort concern; repositioning the patient upright promptly prevents falls and maintains proper alignment.
Question 6: Which activity helps prevent foot drop in an immobile patient?
- Elevating the feet above the heart
- Using a footboard or foot splint to maintain the foot in a neutral position (Correct answer)
- Massaging the feet vigorously twice daily
- Keeping feet internally rotated under the covers
Correct answer: Using a footboard or foot splint to maintain the foot in a neutral position
A footboard or foot splint maintains dorsiflexion and prevents the foot from plantarflexing permanently, which is the position of foot drop.
STNA Restorative Care and Mobility 2
When assisting a patient to stand from a wheelchair, the nurse aide should position the wheelchair: