Deck 15: Safe Patient Handling, transfer, and Positioning

Question 1

The nurse is caring for a patient after a motor vehicle accident and instructs the patient to avoid turning independently because the spine is unstable.Which explanation should the nurse use to explain the purpose of the safeguards in relation to the patient's injury?

A) They prevent a sudden deterioration in vital signs.
B) They keep the neck and spine in straight alignment.
C) They facilitate efficient, comprehensive assessment.
D) They help to maintain straight alignment of the legs.

Answer 1

They keep the neck and spine in straight alignment.

Question 2

A 225-pound patient is unconscious and needs to be transferred from the bed to the stretcher.Which action is most critical for the nurse to initiate before moving the patient?

A) Obtain a friction-reducing device and at least two other staff members.
B) Instruct a nurse to stand at the head of the patient.
C) Suspend the intravenous (IV) lines and Foley catheter from the stretcher.
D) Wrap the patient in a sheet to prevent injury to the arms and legs.

Answer 2

Obtain a friction-reducing device and at least two other staff members.

Question 3

While transferring a patient who has been bedridden for several weeks,the nurse notes that the patient becomes fatigued rapidly.What assessment data does the nurse expect to find to validate the patient's changing status?

A) Increased pulse and increased respirations
B) Decreased pulse and increased respirations
C) Increased pulse and decreased respirations
D) Decreased pulse and decreased respirations

Answer 3

Increased pulse and increased respirations

Question 4

The nurse is teaching other caregivers about using a mechanical lift.What should the nurse include in the instructions focusing on patient safety?

A) Place the base of the lift under the side of the bed.
B) Use extra-long chains to support the patient's torso.
C) Ask the patient to hold the head up while in the sling.
D) Instruct the patient to hold the chains during the transfer.

Question 5

The nurse and an assistant are moving a dependent patient from the supine to the lateral position.Which should the nurse implement to begin repositioning?

A) Support the upper arm and leg with pillows.
B) Move the patient away from the center toward a side of the bed.
C) Elevate the patient's head with two or three pillows.
D) Wedge a pillow under the abdomen and chest.

Question 6

You are moving a patient onto a stretcher using a slide board.Two nurses are positioned on the side of the stretcher.Where is the third nurse positioned?

A) On the side of the stretcher
B) At the head of the bed
C) At the foot of the bed
D) On the side of the bed without the stretcher

Question 7

The nurse is helping a patient set a goal for ambulating after surgery.Which outcome statement for this patient with generalized postoperative weakness is best?

A) The patient transfers self safely from the bed to the chair 3 times daily.
B) The nurse will maintain his or her physical mobility after surgery.
C) The patient will remain safe from falls and postoperative anxiety.
D) The patient transfers self safely from bed to chair 4 times daily within 2 days.

Question 8

A weak but motivated patient is ambulating for the first time.Which nursing intervention is most likely to facilitate patient participation in ambulation and ensure patient safety?

A) Ask the patient if this weakness has occurred before.
B) Obtain a full set of vital signs before moving the patient.
C) Encourage the patient to hold onto you [the nurse] or the handrails in the hall.
D) Perform a quick assessment, including patient fatigue while talking.

Question 9

The nurse teaches the caregiver to maintain the patient's safety when transferring to a chair.Which teaching should the nurse include to address the weakness of the patient's right side?

A) Place the chair to the patient's right side after sitting the patient on the edge of the bed.
B) Place the chair to the patient's left side after sitting the patient on the edge of the bed.
C) Place the chair wherever the patient wants it after sitting the patient on the edge of the bed.
D) Place the chair wherever the caregiver wants it after sitting the patient on the edge of the bed.

Question 10

The nurse assists the patient with transferring from bed to chair by using a transfer belt.Which is the first instruction that the nurse gives to the patient after properly positioning him or her?

A) "Place your arms around my neck to stand up."
B) "Bend both knees slightly when standing up."
C) "Hold the transfer belt for stability during transfer."
D) "Rock to help stand while pushing up with your hands."

Question 11

After 3 hours in the supine position,an older patient tells the nurse that he or she is stiff and too uncomfortable to move.Which is the best nursing intervention to maintain skin integrity?

A) Find an assistant to help move the patient to lateral position now.
B) Express concern about the discomfort and promise to come back.
C) Assess the patient's need for pain medication before repositioning.
D) Explain how important repositioning is for preventing pneumonia.

Question 12

The nurse transfers the patient from the bed to the chair using a mechanical lift.Which should the nurse do before leaving the patient's room to ensure patient safety?

A) Remove the sling from under the patient.
B) Document patient response to the transfer.
C) Secure the call bell within the patient's reach.
D) Return the base of the lift to its original position.

Question 13

The patient will be transferred to the chair an hour after receiving pain medication.Which activity should the nurse delegate to nursing assistive personnel (NAP)?

A) Determine the patient's current pain level.
B) Record the vital signs before ambulation.
C) Position the gait belt around the patient.
D) Place thick, warm socks on the patient.

Question 14

The nurse is preparing to place a patient in the prone position.What action should the nurse take during the positioning?

A) Place a pillow under both knees.
B) Put a footboard against both feet.
C) Insert a pillow under the abdomen.
D) Straighten the arms at the patient's sides.

Question 15

The nurse wants to transfer a patient from the bed to the chair by using a mechanical lift.The patient has difficulty following directions,and the nurse cannot find help.Which is the most important action for the nurse to implement?

A) Assure the patient that the lift is safe.
B) Use two safety chains on a canvas sling.
C) Delay the transfer until help is found.
D) Double-check the wheel locks on the lift.

Question 16

While the nurse is attempting to transfer a patient to a standing position,the patient cannot get off the bed.Which is the initial intervention for the nurse to implement?

A) Return the patient to a safe position on the bed.
B) Put a second transfer belt on the patient.
C) Get additional personnel to help with the transfer.
D) Assess the patient for unknown weakness.

Question 17

A patient's physical mobility is impaired because of paralysis of both lower extremities.Which is the best method for the nurse to use to place the patient in semi-Fowler's position?

A) Help the patient push up in bed by bending his or her knees.
B) Raise the head of the bed to 45 degrees and pull the patient to it.
C) Roll the patient to one side using pillows to support his or her back.
D) Pull the patient to the head of the bed (HOB) using a drawsheet and then raise the HOB.

Question 18

The patient with a hemiparesis is very hesitant to transfer from the bed to the chair with a new nurse's help.Which action should this nurse take first to accomplish the transfer?

A) Explain how the transfer of the patient will be done safely.
B) Ask questions about how the patient usually transfers.
C) Document that the patient declined help for the transfer.
D) State that the healthcare provider ordered a transfer.

Question 19

The nurse is teaching a patient's family how to maintain personal safety and prevent injury when lifting or moving the patient.Which concept should the nurse include in the instructions?

A) Carry the weight above the waist.
B) Keep the patient close to the mover.
C) Bend at the waist for heavy lifting.
D) Tighten the stomach and back muscles.

Question 20

The nurse successfully transfers a patient from the bed to the chair and back.What information is most vital for the nurse to include in the progress notes?

A) The visitors involved in assisting the patient to transfer
B) Home care instructions for the patient about transferring
C) The patient's blood pressure before and after each transfer
D) A description of the patient's response to each transfer

Question 21

2. The most effective way to prevent musculoskeletal injuries when positioning patients is to teach _______________and ____________.

Question 22

1. Workers in ________ and ________ occupations suffer the most lost-time cases of general musculoskeletal pain and back pain.

Question 23

You are getting ready to transfer your patient from the bed to a chair for the first time after surgery.Which of the following are important to assess? (Select all that apply.)

A) Sensory status
B) Temperature
C) Upper arm strength
D) Postural hypotension
E) Cognitive status
F) Pain level

Question 24

You are orienting a new NAP about the steps of proper body mechanics.Which of the follow statements are correct steps? (Select all that apply.)

A) Avoid twisting.
B) Bend at the knees.
C) Tighten stomach muscles as you lift.
D) Straighten the legs.
E) Keep the weight close to the body.

Question 25

Which of the following patients are at higher risk of complications from improper positioning? (Select all that apply.)

A) The patient who is post hip fracture who has osteoarthritis
B) The patient who has COPD
C) The patient who is a paraplegic
D) The patient who suffered a stroke
E) The patient with Alzheimer's

Question 26

You are transferring a patient and he or she sustains an injury during the transfer.What steps must you take? (Select all that apply.)

A) Stay with the patient.
B) Notify the healthcare provider.
C) Complete an occurrence report per agency policy.
D) Evaluate the incident.
E) Provide supportive care to the patient.
F) None of the above