Final answer:
Instruct the patient to simulate a kneeling motion by moving their lower legs toward the buttocks and shifting their thigh diagonally upward and outward. They can also bend the hand upwards, make a fist, and retract the scapula to aid in repositioning.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a patient is able to assist while being repositioned up in bed, it's important to instruct them on how to help. They can move the back of their lower legs up and back toward the buttocks, similar to a kneeling motion. This action helps to shift their weight and assists in the process of moving up in bed. Additionally, the patient can assist by moving their thigh diagonally upward and outward. If they are capable, they might also bend their hand up toward the shoulder, tilt the hand to the side away from the body, or make a fist to push against the bed, aiding in their repositioning. A movement such as retraction of the scapula (moving the shoulder blade in a posterior direction) can also be beneficial to assist in the movement.