NCLEX Activity and Exercise Exam Practice Questions and Answers

130 Questions and Answers

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Enhance your nursing exam preparation with this in-depth NCLEX Activity and Exercise Exam Practice Questions and Answers resource. Tailored for both NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN candidates, this practice test focuses on the essential principles of body mechanics, physical mobility, and safe exercise interventions across a variety of clinical settings.

This quiz covers fundamental topics such as range-of-motion exercises, mobility assessments, safe patient handling techniques, proper use of assistive devices (walkers, canes, crutches), and prevention of complications related to immobility. It also explores the physiological benefits of exercise and the impact of activity on musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurological systems.

Key nursing responsibilities are emphasized, including fall prevention strategies, transfer procedures, repositioning techniques, and promoting patient independence. Learners will also gain insight into how chronic conditions, pain, fatigue, and aging affect activity tolerance—and how to tailor interventions to meet individual patient needs.

Scenario-based and NCLEX-style questions simulate real clinical environments, testing your ability to prioritize care, recognize safety risks, and apply critical thinking to support mobility goals. Whether it’s post-surgical ambulation or rehabilitative exercise in long-term care, this practice resource prepares you to manage movement-related care with confidence and competence.

This NCLEX Activity and Exercise Exam Practice Questions and Answers set aligns with the NCLEX test plan and supports core exam categories like health promotion and maintenance, safety and infection control, and physiological integrity. It’s ideal for nursing students, new graduates, and healthcare professionals seeking to solidify their understanding of safe patient movement and exercise-based care.

Use this targeted exam prep tool to strengthen your practical knowledge, close learning gaps, and build the clinical judgment needed to support patient safety, comfort, and recovery through appropriate activity and exercise interventions.

Sample Questions and Answers

Which of the following is the primary benefit of regular physical exercise in patients with hypertension?

A) Increased blood pressure regulation
B) Decreased blood pressure
C) Weight gain
D) Increased risk of heart disease

Answer: B) Decreased blood pressure

A nurse is teaching a patient about the importance of exercise. What is the recommended amount of physical activity for adults per week?

A) 30 minutes daily, five days a week
B) 15 minutes daily, four days a week
C) 1 hour daily, seven days a week
D) 30 minutes every other day

Answer: A) 30 minutes daily, five days a week

Which of the following is an appropriate nursing intervention for a patient with limited mobility who is at risk for developing contractures?

A) Encourage the patient to remain in a supine position
B) Provide passive range-of-motion exercises
C) Limit movement to prevent pain
D) Encourage complete bed rest

Answer: B) Provide passive range-of-motion exercises

A nurse is helping a patient to understand how aerobic exercise benefits cardiovascular health. Which explanation should the nurse provide?

A) Aerobic exercise increases the size of the heart chambers
B) Aerobic exercise increases heart rate and improves blood flow
C) Aerobic exercise strengthens the heart and reduces blood oxygen demand
D) Aerobic exercise decreases blood circulation in the muscles

Answer: B) Aerobic exercise increases heart rate and improves blood flow

A nurse is educating a patient with osteoarthritis about the importance of exercise. What type of exercise is most appropriate for this patient?

A) High-impact aerobics
B) Swimming or water aerobics
C) Running on a treadmill
D) Weightlifting

Answer: B) Swimming or water aerobics

Which of the following is the primary purpose of performing range-of-motion (ROM) exercises in a hospitalized patient?

A) Prevent contractures
B) Increase muscle size
C) Improve circulation only
D) Reduce anxiety

Answer: A) Prevent contractures

A nurse is preparing to help a patient begin an exercise program. What should the nurse assess first?

A) The patient’s weight and body mass index
B) The patient’s vital signs, including heart rate and blood pressure
C) The patient’s flexibility and muscle tone
D) The patient’s knowledge of exercise benefits

Answer: B) The patient’s vital signs, including heart rate and blood pressure

A patient is starting an exercise program and asks how to avoid injury. What should the nurse recommend?

A) Stretch only after the exercise session
B) Warm up before exercise and cool down afterward
C) Perform exercises until exhaustion
D) Avoid drinking fluids during exercise

Answer: B) Warm up before exercise and cool down afterward

What is the best type of exercise for improving bone density in older adults?

A) Swimming
B) Walking or weight-bearing exercises
C) Cycling
D) Stretching

Answer: B) Walking or weight-bearing exercises

Which of the following is a sign that a patient is overexerting during exercise?

A) Mild shortness of breath
B) Increased heart rate that returns to baseline within 5 minutes
C) Chest pain or tightness
D) Sweating

Answer: C) Chest pain or tightness

A nurse is planning an exercise program for a pregnant woman. Which exercise is safest for her to perform?

A) Hot yoga
B) High-impact aerobics
C) Swimming
D) Running

Answer: C) Swimming

A patient with diabetes is learning about the role of exercise in managing blood glucose levels. What should the nurse explain?

A) Exercise should be avoided because it can cause hypoglycemia
B) Exercise increases insulin sensitivity, helping to manage blood sugar levels
C) Exercise causes the body to produce more insulin
D) Exercise has no impact on blood glucose levels

Answer: B) Exercise increases insulin sensitivity, helping to manage blood sugar levels

What should a nurse assess before recommending an exercise program for a patient with heart disease?

A) The patient’s physical activity history and current level of fitness
B) The patient’s cholesterol levels
C) The patient’s current exercise preferences
D) The patient’s family history of exercise-related injuries

Answer: A) The patient’s physical activity history and current level of fitness

What is the goal of performing resistance training for a patient with arthritis?

A) Increase joint pain
B) Decrease muscle mass
C) Increase muscle strength and endurance
D) Decrease joint flexibility

Answer: C) Increase muscle strength and endurance

A nurse is providing instructions for a patient with a spinal cord injury. Which of the following exercises is most appropriate to prevent complications from immobility?

A) Isometric exercises
B) Isotonic exercises
C) Passive range-of-motion exercises
D) Weightlifting

Answer: C) Passive range-of-motion exercises

Which of the following is the most appropriate exercise for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?

A) Walking at a moderate pace
B) Swimming at a high intensity
C) Running on a treadmill
D) Lifting heavy weights

Answer: A) Walking at a moderate pace

Which of the following activities is most appropriate for a patient recovering from a hip replacement surgery?

A) Running
B) Swimming
C) Yoga
D) Lifting heavy weights

Answer: B) Swimming

A nurse is working with a patient recovering from a stroke. Which exercise should the nurse recommend?

A) High-impact aerobic exercises
B) Weight-bearing exercises for lower extremities
C) Bed rest with passive range-of-motion exercises
D) Running

Answer: B) Weight-bearing exercises for lower extremities

A nurse is educating a patient about the importance of stretching before exercise. What is the primary benefit of stretching before a workout?

A) Increases strength
B) Prevents injury by improving flexibility
C) Improves endurance
D) Increases fat burning

Answer: B) Prevents injury by improving flexibility

A nurse is assessing a patient’s readiness to start an exercise program. Which of the following indicates that the patient is ready?

A) The patient has a history of chronic illness and no exercise plan
B) The patient has been sedentary for years but expresses an interest in starting
C) The patient is overweight and does not believe exercise will help
D) The patient has high blood pressure and is not willing to exercise

Answer: B) The patient has been sedentary for years but expresses an interest in starting

What is the primary goal of cardiovascular exercise for an older adult?

A) Improve sleep quality
B) Prevent cognitive decline
C) Improve heart and lung function
D) Increase muscle mass

Answer: C) Improve heart and lung function

A nurse is teaching a patient with fibromyalgia about exercise. What is the nurse’s best recommendation for this patient?

A) Avoid all physical activity
B) Start with low-impact exercises, such as walking and swimming
C) Engage in high-intensity activities to increase stamina
D) Focus only on stretching exercises

Answer: B) Start with low-impact exercises, such as walking and swimming

What type of exercise is most beneficial for a patient with peripheral artery disease (PAD)?

A) High-intensity interval training
B) Light walking
C) Weightlifting
D) Swimming

Answer: B) Light walking

Which of the following is a benefit of resistance training for patients with diabetes?

A) Increased insulin production
B) Reduced need for insulin injections
C) Improved glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity
D) Increased weight loss

Answer: C) Improved glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity

What is the recommended exercise for a patient who has had a stroke?

A) Swimming
B) Running
C) Weightlifting
D) Walking with assistance

Answer: D) Walking with assistance

Which of the following is a major complication of immobility that can be reduced by physical activity?

A) Muscle atrophy
B) Hypertension
C) Asthma
D) Diabetes

Answer: A) Muscle atrophy

A patient with multiple sclerosis is learning about exercise. What is the best recommendation for this patient?

A) Engage in vigorous activity to build strength
B) Engage in moderate-intensity exercise to improve muscle function without overexertion
C) Avoid exercise due to muscle weakness
D) Engage in high-impact exercise to improve balance

Answer: B) Engage in moderate-intensity exercise to improve muscle function without overexertion

A nurse is educating a pregnant woman about exercise. What is the most important consideration?

A) Exercise should be avoided during pregnancy
B) The exercise intensity should be high to build strength
C) The exercise should be non-contact and moderate-intensity
D) The exercise should be limited to upper body only

Answer: C) The exercise should be non-contact and moderate-intensity

Which of the following is an appropriate exercise for patients with low back pain?

A) High-impact aerobics
B) Swimming or aquatic therapy
C) Weightlifting with heavy weights
D) Running

Answer: B) Swimming or aquatic therapy

A nurse is educating a patient on preventing injuries during exercise. Which statement is accurate?

A) “Exercise can be done without any warm-up if you are experienced.”
B) “It is important to wear appropriate footwear for your exercise.”
C) “It’s safe to exercise even if you feel sharp pain.”
D) “You should only stretch after exercising.”

Answer: B) “It is important to wear appropriate footwear for your exercise.”

 

31. Which of the following should the nurse recommend for a patient who is recovering from surgery and is at risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?

A) Bed rest for at least one month
B) Leg elevation with no movement
C) Early mobilization and gentle leg exercises
D) High-intensity aerobic exercises

Answer: C) Early mobilization and gentle leg exercises

32. A nurse is educating a patient about the benefits of exercise for managing type 2 diabetes. Which benefit is most relevant?

A) Exercise will completely cure diabetes
B) Exercise decreases insulin resistance and helps lower blood sugar levels
C) Exercise is harmful because it can lower blood sugar too much
D) Exercise has no impact on diabetes management

Answer: B) Exercise decreases insulin resistance and helps lower blood sugar levels

33. A nurse is teaching a patient with arthritis about joint protection during exercise. Which of the following is an appropriate guideline?

A) Engage in high-impact activities to build joint strength
B) Avoid all forms of exercise to prevent further joint strain
C) Focus on low-impact activities such as cycling or walking
D) Perform exercises that cause pain to increase flexibility

Answer: C) Focus on low-impact activities such as cycling or walking

34. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) asks the nurse about exercise. What is the nurse’s most appropriate response?

A) “Avoid all exercise, as it may cause difficulty breathing.”
B) “Start with low-intensity activities and gradually increase the intensity.”
C) “Exercise is not recommended for people with COPD.”
D) “You should only engage in stretching exercises.”

Answer: B) “Start with low-intensity activities and gradually increase the intensity.”

35. What is the best type of exercise to help prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women?

A) High-impact activities like running and jumping
B) Weight-bearing exercises such as walking and strength training
C) Flexibility exercises like yoga
D) Non-weight-bearing exercises like swimming

Answer: B) Weight-bearing exercises such as walking and strength training

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