Your Patient Is a 47-Year-Old Man with Good Upper-Body Strength

Your patient is a 47-year-old man with good upper-body strength and poor lower-extremity strength. He weighs 385 lbs. and has just had surgery to repair a fractured left ankle. He also has a groin wound that requires wound care. He is currently nonweight-bearing on the left lower extremity and needs to get out of the bed for wound care. Which of the following is the most appropriate response regarding this patient's transfer?

A) Borrow a lift that is rated for 400 lbs. from the acute care unit and complete the transfer by yourself.
B) Defer the transfer because you do not have the appropriate equipment and do the wound care with the patient remaining in the bed.
C) Use the lift you have in your department that has a weight limit of 350 lbs. and get an aide to help you.
D) Obtain the assistance of two or three other people and assist the patient in performing a lateral transfer using a bariatric transfer board.