Science & STEM

Body Mechanics Nursing Quiz: Safe Lifting and Patient Mobility

Moderate2-5mins

This body mechanics in nursing quiz helps you practice safe lifting, posture, base of support, and patient mobility, with instant feedback to spot gaps. If you want more practice, try our safe lifting quiz, check your ergonomics with a workplace ergonomics quiz, or take a quick safe lifting test.

Start Quiz
Paper art nurse demonstrating safe body mechanics assisting patient mobility on teal background
25Questions
InstantResults
FreeAlways
DetailedExplanations
Take the Quiz
1What stance provides the most stable base of support when lifting?
2Where is the center of gravity located in the human body to maintain proper alignment?
3Which of the following is NOT a principle of proper body mechanics?
4Before transferring a patient using a wheelchair, you should always:
5When repositioning a patient, you should minimize spinal twisting by:
6The term 'ergonomics' refers to:
7When lifting an object, you should keep it:
8Proper breathing technique during exertion includes:
9A gait belt is primarily used to:
10To reduce friction when moving a patient, you should:
11Which muscle group should do most of the work when lifting?
12Before repositioning a patient in bed, you should:
13When standing at a patient's bedside, the workstation height should be:
14Maintaining proper alignment means keeping:
15Which of the following is a sign of poor body mechanics?
16A staggered stance during lifting means:
17When performing a logroll to reposition a patient, which action is essential?
18During a two-person lift, where should the strongest caregiver position themselves?
19What is the primary reason to squat rather than bend at the waist when lifting?
20Which device is most appropriate for lifting a non-ambulatory, heavy patient?
21Friction can be further reduced by placing a drawsheet under the patient and:
22When transferring a patient from bed to chair using a slide board, you should:
23Torque around the lumbar spine increases when:
24During a pivot transfer, the nurse should:
25What is the maximum recommended patient weight for a manual two-person lift according to OSHA guidelines?
26A patient who can bear weight but needs help with balance is best assisted by:
27The purpose of adjusting bed height before a transfer is to:
28When using a mechanical lift, the sling should be placed:
29Which principle helps prevent shear injuries when sliding a patient up in bed?
30In lateral transfer, the use of a hover mat reduces:
31Which lever class best describes using the forearm to lift a weight in hand?
32A nurse notes a patient's center of mass shifts forward during lifting. To compensate, the nurse should:
33During a manual lift, shear force on the vertebrae is minimized by:
34What effect does increasing friction under a patient's bed sheet have on body mechanics?
35The torque on the lumbar spine is directly proportional to:
36When using a hydraulic floor lift, which position of the lift base legs improves stability?
37Which biomechanical principle explains why pushing a patient is easier than pulling?
38The primary risk factor for musculoskeletal injury in nursing is:
39During lateral transfers, the patient's arms should be:
40Which factor increases the lever arm during patient handling tasks?
41Which of these is an engineering control for reducing manual patient handling injuries?
42During a squat lift, knees should be:
43Which concept explains why keeping your back straight minimizes spinal stress?
44Calculate the torque on the lumbar spine if a 20-kg patient segment is held 0.5 meters from the torso. (Use g=9.8 m/s².)
45Which concept explains why a patient's center of mass lowers when in a semi-Fowler's position?
46A 60-kg patient is held at a horizontal distance of 0.4 m. What is the bending moment at the nurse's lumbar region? (Use g=9.8 m/s².)
47Which advanced lift system uses counterweights and pulleys to minimize caregiver effort?
Learning Goals

Study Outcomes

  1. Apply Body Mechanics Principles -

    Apply the core principles of body mechanics in nursing to execute safe patient transfers and positioning with confidence.

  2. Describe Base of Support -

    Describe what body mechanics base of support means and identify how to establish a stable stance during patient handling.

  3. Evaluate True Statements -

    Evaluate which of the following statements is true of body mechanics to reinforce correct techniques and minimize injury risks.

  4. Recognize Mobility Facts -

    Recognize which of the following statements about mobility is true to promote safe patient movement and prevent falls.

  5. Implement Good Techniques -

    Implement good body mechanics for nurses in daily clinical practice to protect your musculoskeletal health and improve patient outcomes.

  6. Analyze Patient Scenarios -

    Analyze patient scenarios involving mobility challenges and choose appropriate strategies for safe lifts, transfers, and ambulation.

Study Guide

Cheat Sheet

  1. Understanding Base of Support -

    In body mechanics in nursing, a firm base of support means standing with feet shoulder-width apart and one foot slightly ahead to lower your center of gravity. This stance maximizes stability when lifting or repositioning patients (NIOSH guidelines). Mnemonic trick: "Feet first, stand abreast" helps you remember foot placement for safety.

  2. Center of Gravity and Balance -

    Which of the following statements is true of body mechanics? It's that keeping your center of gravity close to the patient reduces spinal stress. By bending at the hips and knees (not the waist) and holding objects close, you maintain balance and prevent back injuries (OSHA recommendations).

  3. Proper Lifting Techniques -

    Good body mechanics for nurses means using your legs, not your back, when lifting. Squat or semisquat so your thighs and gluteal muscles do the work, keeping the load close and your back straight (American Nurses Association). Remember "Legs lift, back safe" as a quick cue.

  4. Safe Patient Mobility and Transfers -

    Which of the following statements about mobility is true? Always assess a patient's strength and cognition, then secure a gait belt to assist in transfers. Pivot with your feet - never twist at the waist - and consider slide boards or mechanical lifts to minimize strain and ensure patient safety (AHRQ guidelines).

  5. Ergonomic Tools and Repositioning -

    Incorporate adjustable beds, ergonomic chairs, and transfer aids to support good body mechanics for nurses. Reposition bedridden patients every two hours to prevent pressure injuries and maintain comfort (National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel). Use the "ABC" method - Align, Bend knees, Control load - to guide each repositioning task.

Explore More

Human Anatomy & Medicine Quizzes

Body Regions QuizBody Cavities QuizMuscular System Quiz - Select the Accurate StatementMETAR QuizMuscle Origin and Insertion QuizOSHA Needlestick Prevention Quiz - Sharps Safety Training
AI-DraftedHuman-Reviewed
Reviewed by
Michael HodgeEdTech Product Lead & Assessment Design SpecialistQuiz Maker
Updated Feb 18, 2026