Question

For a patient who can raise buttocks and assist with the procedure:

A) Lower the head of the bed.

B) Have the patient flex their knees and lift their buttocks. Assist the patient by placing one hand under the sacrum and supporting the bedpan with the other hand to prevent spillage. Remove the bedpan and place it on the bedside chair.

C) Offer soap, warm water, a washcloth, and a towel for the patient to wash their hands or perineal area.

D) Ask the patient to stand up and use the restroom independently.

E) Leave the patient in their current position and proceed with the procedure as is, without any adjustments.

F) Call for additional assistance to lift the patient manually into the desired position.

Answer 1

To safely assist a patient who can raise their buttocks, caregivers should keep their back erect and use their legs to move the patient, reducing the force on the spine, and call for additional assistance if necessary for safety.

Step-by-step explanation:

For a patient who can actively participate in their positioning by raising their buttocks and using their legs, you must consider the biomechanics and safety of both the patient and the caregiver. When patients assist, the force needed to move them is reduced. However, caregivers should still use proper body mechanics to prevent injury. It's crucial to maintain an erect back and use the legs—not the comparatively weaker back muscles—to lift and move the patient. This method significantly reduces the force exerted on the spine.

Discussing proper lifting technique, we learn that the force on the back when lifting improperly is about 5.6 times greater than when standing erect. Thus, assisting a patient in moving—in this case, involving actions like moving the back of lower legs up toward the buttocks, moving the thigh diagonally upward and outward, and avoiding heavy lifting with the back—is critical. Instead, use the strength of the lower body to protect the spine. In healthcare settings, this understanding is paramount to the wellbeing of all involved.

As helpers, we should always keep the mechanics of the body in mind and remember to move patients safely, especially for those who can aid in their positioning, reducing the risk of strain or injury. For this reason, it is sometimes recommended to call for additional assistance to ensure safety and ease during patient transfers.