Final answer:
To prevent self-injury, a nurse should keep the back straight and use the legs to lift when moving a heavy object like a bedside cabinet. Bending at the waist, twisting the body, and lifting with extended arms should be avoided as they can lead to back injuries and strain.
Step-by-step explanation:
To prevent self-injury when lifting a heavy object like a bedside cabinet, a nurse should adopt the following correct lifting technique: B. Keep the back straight and use the legs to lift. This is in contrast to the other options: A. Bend at the waist while lifting, C. Twist the body while lifting, and D. Lift the object with extended arms, which can all increase the risk of injury. Proper lifting involves keeping the back in a neutral, straight position and using the powerful muscles of the legs to lift, to prevent putting excessive strain on the back muscles and spine.
Lifting with the back or while twisting the body can lead to stress on the spine, as shown in EXAMPLE 9.5 where it is mentioned that improper lifting where the body is not erect can generate forces on the back that are several times greater than if a person were standing upright. The spine is especially prone to injury during such movements due to its relative weakness compared to other load-bearing structures like the hips, knees, and ankles.