Final answer:
The nurse should utilize proper body mechanics by keeping the back straight and bending the knees, which significantly reduces force on the back muscles and minimizes injury risk.
Step-by-step explanation:
To protect his or her back when lifting or moving a patient, the nurse should use proper body mechanics. This includes keeping the back straight and bending the knees to lift, rather than bending at the waist. When lifting with a straight back and bent knees, the nurse minimizes the force exerted on the spine. The force on the back muscles when lifting improperly is about 5.6 times greater than it would be if a person were standing erect. By using the legs to raise the body and the load, the nurse creates much smaller forces in the back and thus reduces the risk of injury.
Additionally, for stability, the feet should be spaced apart rather than kept close together. This expands the base of support and lowers the center of gravity, contributing to greater balance while carrying a load. Muscles are used extensively to maintain balance, particularly in the front-to-back direction.