Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

If a person is described as "sedentary," what is their typical behavior pattern?

1. Active and enthusiastic

2. Inactive and sitting

3. Restless and fidgety

4. Dynamic and changing

The correct answer is: Inactive and sitting

The term "sedentary" is used to describe a lifestyle characterized by a lack of physical activity and prolonged periods of sitting or inactivity. Individuals who are labeled as sedentary typically engage in minimal movement or exercise and may spend large portions of their day seated, whether at work, home, or during leisure activities. This behavior contrasts with being active or dynamic, where individuals participate in various forms of physical activity or movement. In the context of this question, the correct identification of sedentary behavior as inactive and sitting aligns well with established definitions in health literature, which associate sedentary living with increased risks of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and other health issues due to insufficient movement.