Final answer:
Proper lifting technique for nurses involves keeping the back straight and lifting with the legs. This helps to prevent self-injury and strain on the back muscles and spine.
Step-by-step explanation:
Proper lifting technique for nurses involves keeping the back straight and lifting with the legs. This is important to prevent self-injury and strain on the back muscles and spine. By using the leg muscles, which are stronger than the back muscles, the forces exerted on the back are reduced.
For example, if a nurse bends at the waist to lift an object, the forces on the back can be about 5.6 times greater than if the nurse keeps the back straight and lifts with the legs. Bending at the waist puts excessive strain on the back and increases the risk of injury.
Twisting the body while lifting is also not recommended as it can further strain the back muscles and spine. By keeping the back straight and lifting with the legs, nurses can minimize the risk of self-injury while lifting objects.