A nurse and an assistive personnel (AP) are repositioning a client who is immobile up in bed using a draw sheet. The nurse should instruct the AP to take which of the following actions?
A.
Lower the client’s bed to the lowest position.
B.
Stand next to the client’s shoulders.
C.
Place a small pillow under the client’s head.
D.
Flex his hips while pulling the client.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is A. Lower the client’s bed to the lowest position.
When repositioning a client who is immobile, it’s crucial to follow safe patient handling protocols to prevent injury to both the client and the healthcare providers. One of the key steps is to ensure the client’s bed is lowered to its lowest position before the transfer begins. This action serves multiple purposes.
First, lowering the bed minimizes the risk of falls and injuries. A higher bed increases the distance the client could fall if there were an unexpected movement or if the client becomes unstable during the process. By lowering the bed, the nurse ensures that any fall will be less severe.
Second, a lower bed position allows the assistive personnel (AP) and the nurse to maintain proper body mechanics while performing the repositioning task. This is essential for reducing the risk of musculoskeletal injuries to the staff. When the bed is at a comfortable height, the caregivers can keep their backs straight and use their legs for lifting, rather than straining their backs.
Option B, having the AP stand next to the client’s shoulders, could create unnecessary strain on the AP and does not provide the best leverage for the repositioning. Option C, placing a small pillow under the client’s head, may not be necessary at the time of repositioning and could obstruct proper movement. Finally, option D suggests flexing the hips while pulling the client, which is not recommended; instead, staff should use a coordinated pull from the shoulders while keeping their bodies aligned to avoid injury.
In summary, lowering the bed enhances safety, promotes effective body mechanics, and is the foundational first step in the safe repositioning of an immobile client using a draw sheet.