INSTRUCTION: Answer the following exercises by marking the lettered response that provides the best answer, by completing the statement, or by writing your response in the space provided in the exercise. After you have completed the exercises, scroll to the bottom of this page and check your answers.
1. Body mechanics is the use of correct muscles to complete a task safely and efficiently, without undue strain on any ______________or _________________
2. Good body mechanics requires that you keep your back ______________and bend at the __________ and _________
3. When lifting, keep your feet _________with one foot slightly ahead of the other _________ your knees to absorb jolts; turn with your _____________.
4. When reaching for an object, you should stand directly in front of and ______________ the object.
5. When performing physical tasks, use your ________ and ________ muscles as much as possible and your muscles as little as possible.
6. Name four problems you can avoid by using good body mechanics.
a. _______________________________.
b. _______________________________.
c. _______________________________.
d. _______________________________.
7. Changing a patient’s position allows for greater _________ expansion and relieves pressure on the ___________________.
8. When a patient lies in bed for long periods of time, his muscles tend to become atonic and _____________________.
9. When positioning a patient, obtain assistance to move a heavy or ________________ patient.
10. Unless being turned or a particular position is contraindicated, a patient should be rotated through which four positions?
a. _______________________________.
b. _______________________________.
c. _______________________________.
d. _______________________________.
11. What should be done to prevent pressure and strain if a patient has a spinal injury and cannot be turned?
________________________________________________________________
12. If you must turn a patient with a spinal injury, which method should you use? _________________.
13. Proper body alignment of a patient who must lie on his back for a long period of time gives ____________________and _____________________organs room to function normally.
14.Name the positions illustrated below:
a.________________________
b. _____________________.
c. _____________________.
d. _______________________.
e. _____________________.
15. When placing an adult patient in the supine position, place a pillow under the head and shoulders to prevent strain on neck muscles and ______________________ and ______________________ of the neck.
16. Elevate the head of the bed _______ to _______ degrees for a patient in the Fowler’s position and _______ to_______ degrees for Semi-Fowler’s.
17. For a patient in the Fowler’s or semi-Fowler’s position, raise the knee gatch approximately ____degrees, unless contraindicated.
18. You are having difficulty keeping the call light within a patient’s reach; what should you do? ___________________________________________________________.
19. Name two things you can do to avoid interrupting a patient once he falls asleep.
a. __________________________________.
b. __________________________________.
20. Getting a patient out of bed improves his circulation, particularly in the __________________________.
21. Be sure to _________________________ all wheelchair or litter wheels before transferring a patient from the bed.
22. Before ambulating a patient, if necessary _____________________ for pain.
23. When managing a patient who has collapsed, assume a broad stance with one foot slightly _______________, grasp the patient’s body firmly at the __________ or under the ______________, and allow him to slide down against your _______.
24. When managing a patient who has lost his balance, attempt to stabilize the patient by ___________________ against_____. Guide the patient to the __________ or __________ if possible.
25. When preparing to ambulate a patient, you should review the patient’s _____________________, the patient’s _____________________________, and the ______________________________________ .
Lesson 4: Self-Test Answers
1. Muscle, joint.
2. Straight, knees, hips.
3. Apart, flex, feet.
4. Close to.
5. Arm, leg, back.
6. A correct answer consists of any four of the following:
Excessive fatigue.
Muscle strains or tears..
Skeletal injuries.
Injury to the patient.
Injury to assisting staff members.
7. Lung, diaphragm.
8. Atrophy.
9. Helpless.
10. Prone, supine, left Sim’s, right Sim’s.
11. Rub the back by lifting the patient slightly off the bed and massaging with your hand held flat.
12. Logrolling.
13. Respiratory, digestive.
14. a. Sim’s.
b. Fowler’s.
c. Lateral.
d. Supine.
e. Prone.
15. Hyperextension, flexion.
16. 60, 90, 45, 60.
17. 15.
18. Secure it to the bed linen with a safety pin.
19. Schedule medications for times when the patient is being turned. Keep nursing care treatments and procedures to a minimum during sleep hours
20. Lower extremities.
21. Lock.
22. Pre-medicate.
23. Forward, waist, axilla, leg.
24. Bracing him, you, bedside, chair.
25. Medical record, nursing care plan, Nurse’s Notes.