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Difficulty: EasyErgonomics and Safe Use of Equipment

An immobile client who weighs 136 kg (300 lb) needs to be repositioned toward the head of the bed. The registered nurse (RN) has delegated this task to a practical nurse (PN) and one unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which action should the PN take to maintain proper ergonomics and safety?

  1. A
    Elevate the head of the bed to a high-Fowler's position before attempting to pull the client upward.
  2. B
    Accept the assignment to independently formulate and document a new comprehensive mobility care plan.
  3. C
    Apply bilateral wrist restraints to the client to prevent interference with the repositioning equipment.
  4. Use a friction-reducing slide sheet and request at least one additional staff member to assist with the move.Answer

Answer

Use a friction-reducing slide sheet and request at least one additional staff member to assist with the move.
Repositioning a heavy, immobile client poses a severe risk of injury to healthcare staff. Standard ergonomic guidelines require the use of assistive equipment, such as a slide sheet to reduce surface friction, and an adequate number of staff members to safely distribute the physical load. This approach protects both the nurses from musculoskeletal injuries and the client from skin shearing.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Evaluate the client's physical characteristics and mobility status.
The client is immobile and has a significant body weight of 136 kg (300 lb).
Determining the load and level of client assistance is the first step in planning safe manual handling.
2
Assess the currently available staff resources.
Only two staff members (one PN and one UAP) are currently assigned to the task.
Two people are generally insufficient to safely reposition a heavy, entirely immobile client without a high risk of injury.
3
Implement evidence-based ergonomic interventions.
Additional staff and a friction-reducing device are recruited before proceeding.
Safe patient handling algorithms dictate that mechanical aids and adequate human resources must be used to mitigate the risk of injury during heavy lifting tasks.

Key Concept

Proper body mechanics and safe patient handling equipment must be prioritized to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries during client repositioning.
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Topics

Ergonomics and Safe Use of Equipment

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