Deck 17: Safe Patient Handling

Question 1

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.

Answer 1

Return the patient to a safe position on the bed.

Question 2

The nurse is preparing to place a patient in the Sim's 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 flexed upper arm.
D) Straighten the arms at the patient's sides.

Answer 2

Insert a pillow under the flexed upper arm.

Question 3

A 225-pound (102-kg) 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 3

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

Question 4

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 (HOB) 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 (HOB) using a drawsheet and then raise the HOB.

Question 5

A nursing student is preparing to ambulate a patient using a transfer belt.Which action by the student requires intervention from the faculty member?

A) Places the belt under the patient's arms.
B) Ensures the belt fits snugly.
C) Holds the belt with palms facing upward.
D) Rocks back and forth with patient before standing.

Question 6

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 7

A patient who is weak but motivated after surgery is going to ambulate for the first time.Which nursing intervention is most likely to facilitate patient safety?

A) Ask the patient if this weakness has occurred before.
B) Obtain a full set of vital signs after ambulating the patient.
C) Encourage the patient to hold onto a staff member in the hall.
D) Assess the patient for any potential cause of weakness or dizziness before ambulating.Assist patient in changing positions slowly.

Question 8

After 3 hours in the supine position, an older patient reports being stiff and too uncomfortable to move.Which intervention is most appropriate?

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

Question 9

The patient with a hemiparesis is very hesitant to transfer from the bed to the chair.Which action does the 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 health care provider ordered a transfer.

Question 10

The nurse is teaching a patient's family how to maintain personal safety and prevent injury when lifting or moving the patient.Which concept does 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 11

The patient's nurse is directing staff who are moving a patient onto a stretcher with 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 12

The patient will be transferred to the chair an hour after receiving pain medication for the first time.Which activity is most important for 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) Assist the patient putting on socks.

Question 13

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 nurse call system within the patient's reach.
D) Return the base of the lift to its original position.

Question 14

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 15

The nurse is teaching other caregivers about using a mechanical lift.What does 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 the longer 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 16

The nurse is caring for a patient after a motor vehicle crash and instructs the patient to avoid turning independently because the spine is unstable.What explanation of bed mobility does the nurse provide the patient?

A) "We will use a ceiling lift to get you out of bed."
B) "Several staff will logroll you to change position."
C) "You have to remain on your back until your spine is stable."
D) "Physical therapy will get you out of bed in the morning."

Question 17

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

Question 18

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 19

The charge nurse is 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 20

The nurse teaches the caregiver to maintain the patient's safety when transferring to a chair.Which teaching does 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 it's most convenient for the caregiver after sitting the patient on the edge of the bed.

Question 21

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

A) Stay with the patient.
B) Notify the health care provider.
C) Complete an occurrence report per agency policy.
D) Evaluate the incident.
E) Provide supportive care to the patient.

Question 22

A nurse has assessed several patients using the Banner Mobility Assessment Tool (BMAT).Which actions by the nurse are appropriate for the patient's BMAT results? (Select all that apply.)

A) Patient failed Sit and Shake: use sit-to-stand lift
B) Patient failed Stretch and Point: assess patient's weight-bearing ability
C) Patient is reluctant to participate: ask patient about ability to stand
D) Patient passes Stand: ask patient to march in place
E) Patient passes Walk: assess for stability and safety awareness

Question 23

The nurse successfully transfers a patient from the bed to the chair and back.What information does the nurse to include in the progress notes? (Select all that apply.)

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
E) Presence of NAP needed for transfer purposes

Question 24

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

A) Post hip fracture who has osteoarthritis
B) Has a COPD exacerbation
C) A patient who is paraplegic
D) Suffered a stroke last week
E) The patient with Alzheimer disease