Question

Which of the following devices provides the safest means to move a non-ambulatory patient down stairs?

A: The gurney

B: The stair chair

C: A sheet and blanket from the patients bed

D: A butt bucket from the ambulance

Answer 1

The stair chair is the safest device to move a non-ambulatory patient downstairs due to its specific design for controlled descent, featuring straps and handles. Other options mentioned do not provide the same level of safety and control.

Step-by-step explanation:

The safest means to move a non-ambulatory patient down stairs is B: The stair chair. Stair chairs are specifically designed with tracks or skids to enable a safe and controlled descent down stairs. They usually have straps to secure the patient and handles for the responders to manage the descent safely. Gurneys, though they have wheels, are typically unwieldy on stairs and could pose a risk of injury if used inappropriately. Using a sheet and blanket is improvised and does not provide the necessary support or safety mechanisms, increasing the risk of patient harm. A 'butt bucket,' or Reeves sleeve, is more of an emergency device used for tight-space extractions and isn't designed for stair descent.