A practical nurse is preparing to transfer a client who has limited mobility from a bed to a stretcher using a lateral transfer board (slide board). The nurse has already explained the procedure to the client, gathered an assistant, and performed hand hygiene. Arrange the following steps in the correct order to safely complete the transfer.
- 1Adjust the bed to the same height as the stretcher and lock the wheels on both.
- 2Assist the client to turn onto their side, facing away from the stretcher.
- 3Place the lateral transfer board under the client's friction-reducing draw sheet.
- 4Roll the client back into a supine position so they are resting on the transfer board.
- 5Coordinate with the assistant to pull the draw sheet and slide the client onto the stretcher.
Answer
The correct sequence is to first level and lock the bed and stretcher, turn the client away, position the board under the draw sheet, roll the client supine onto the board, and finally slide them across.
A safe lateral transfer requires a systematic approach to prevent client injury and nurse strain. First, stabilizing and leveling the surfaces (bed and stretcher) is the fundamental safety priority. Next, the client must be turned away from the destination to expose the bed surface, allowing the transfer board to be placed safely under the draw sheet without shearing the skin. The client is then rolled back onto the board to secure their weight, followed by a coordinated slide using the draw sheet to move the client smoothly across the gap.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Safe client handling and mobility: lateral transfer techniques