Final answer:
The Medical Assistant should keep the weight as close as possible to the body when lifting a heavy object to reduce strain on the back muscles and to lessen the risk of injury.
Step-by-step explanation:
When lifting a heavy object, the Medical Assistant (MA) should keep the weight as close as possible to the body. This recommendation is supported by principles of physics related to leverage and force. Keeping the weight close reduces the force needed by the back muscles and vertebrae. The trouble with the back is not so much that the forces are large, but that our spines are relatively weak. By keeping the load close, the back is subjected to much smaller forces, which reduces the risk of injury. Proper lifting technique involves using the legs to raise the body and load, which is considerably safer for the spine.