While providing care on a long-term care unit, a practical nurse prepares to transfer a client who has advanced Parkinson's disease from the bed to a wheelchair. The client's care plan requires a full-body mechanical sling lift. During the pre-use equipment check, the nurse discovers a small tear near one of the sling's upper attachment loops. Which action should the nurse take?
- Tag the sling as defective, remove it from the room, and obtain an intact replacement before proceeding.Answer
- BComplete the transfer as delegated after asking the registered nurse to verify that the tear is superficial.
- CPlace the client in a semi-Fowler's position to shift their weight toward the undamaged lower loops during the lift.
- DApply a vest restraint to the client and use it to manually assist the client into the wheelchair instead of using the lift.
Answer
The nurse must tag the sling as defective, remove it from the client care area, and obtain an intact replacement before proceeding.
Any damage to a mechanical lift sling, regardless of size, compromises its structural integrity and poses an immediate fall hazard. Proper ergonomics and safe equipment use mandate that the nurse must immediately take defective items out of service, label them appropriately, and procure functioning replacements to protect the client from injury.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Mechanical Lift Safety and Defective Equipment Management