Chapter 18 Safe Lifting, Moving, and Positioning of Patients

Chapter 18  Safe Lifting, Moving, and Positioning of Patients

Complete Chapter Questions And Answers
 

Sample Questions

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. The nurse uses professional knowledge about body mechanics to prevent the most common occupational disorder in nurses, which is:
a.
carpal tunnel syndrome from use of computer keyboards in nursing documentation.
b.
shoulder and elbow injuries from moving patients.
c.
knee injuries from standing for long periods.
d.
back injuries from lifting and twisting.

ANS: D
Back injuries are the most common injury in health care workers, and in many cases, they are preventable through use of proper body mechanics.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 265 OBJ: Theory #2
TOP: Body Mechanics KEY: Nursing Process Step: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Safety and Infection Control

2. The nurse assisting a weak patient from a bed to the wheelchair to go to physical therapy would:
a.
seat the patient on the side of the bed with feet touching the floor.
b.
place hands under the patient’s elbows to assist in rising.
c.
lock knees as the patient is lowered to the chair.
d.
assist the patient to don a robe after being seated in the wheelchair.

ANS: A
After locking the wheels of the wheelchair, seat the patient on the side of the bed with the feet touching the floor.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 286|Skill 18-4
OBJ: Clinical Practice #1 TOP: Patient Transfers
KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Safe, Effective Care Environment

3. A frail older patient is able to stand but not to ambulate. She has an order to be up in a wheelchair as desired during the day. A safe and appropriate way to assist her up to a chair is to:
a.
use a mechanical lift to transfer her from the bed to a chair.
b.
assist her to stand and pivot to a chair at right angles to the bed, using a transfer belt.
c.
have another staff member help lift her out of bed to the chair on the count of three.
d.
place a chair close to the bed and use a slide board to slide her into it.

ANS: B
A patient who can stand can safely be assisted to pivot and transfer with the use of a transfer belt. This benefits the patient (active exercise) and is safe for both the nurse and the patient.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 286|Skill 18-4
OBJ: Theory #5 TOP: Patient Transfers
KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Safety and Infection Control

4. The charge nurse on the night shift of a skilled nursing facility is orienting a new aide to the unit. The LPN’s most accurate information relative to moving patients is:
a.
“Most of your assigned patients are able to move about a little. Don’t wake them to change their positions in bed if they are sleeping.”
b.
“When you get Mrs. S up to the toilet, be sure to keep your feet together and your knees locked, or she will pull you over.”
c.
“Get one other aide to help and use the mechanical lift when you get Mr. A. out of bed in the morning. He is heavy and doesn’t assist at all.”
d.
“Use your back muscles to lift—that will strengthen them and make it easier for you to lift or move heavy patients.”

ANS: C
Getting adequate assistance and using mechanical assistance are important to reduce injury to staff and patients. It also increases the comfort of the move for the patient.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 269 OBJ: Theory #3
TOP: Patient Transfers KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Safety and Infection Control

5. The patient for whom passive range of motion exercises would be most beneficial would be the:
a.
66-year-old patient with loss of mobility related to a recent cerebrovascular accident (CVA).
b.
72-year-old patient with chronic dementia who alternately sits in his wheelchair and wanders around the unit.
c.
80-year-old patient with chronic lung disease who can breathe only when he is sitting in a tripod position.
d.
94-year-old patient with increasing fatigue and weight loss who needs assistance to ambulate.

ANS: A
A patient with a recent CVA is unable to independently change position or move the affected side. The patient may regain use of motor functions lost, so it is very important to prevent loss of muscle strength, contractures, and pressure ulcers.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis REF: p. 280 OBJ: Theory #2
TOP: Patient Positioning KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort