Nursing: Unit 3: Chapter 16: Body Mechanics

Base of Support

The area on which an object rests

Body Alignment

The way the head, trunk, arms, and legs align with one another; posture

body mechanics

Using the body in an efficient and careful way

Dorsal recumbent position

The back-lying or supine position

Ergonomics

The science of designing a job to fit the worker

Fowler’s position

A semi sitting position where the head of the bed is raised between 45 and 60 degrees

High-fowler’s position

A variation of Fowler’s position where the head is raised between 60 and 90 degrees

Lateral position

The person lies on 1 side or the other; side lying position

Left-semi prone position

The person lies on the left side of the abdomen and the upper right leg is sharply flexed (bent) so its not on the lower left leg while the lower left arm is behind the person

Musculo-skeletal disorders (MSDs)

Injuries and disorders of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and cartilage

Prone position

The person lies on the abdomen with the head turned to one side

Semi-fowler’s position

A variation of Fowler’s position where the head of the bed is raised 30 degrees

Side-lying position

This is the same as lateral position

Supine position

The back lying or dorsal recumbent position

Sprain

This occurs when ligaments are stretched or torn

Ligaments

These are strong bands of connective tissue that connect bones

Strain

This occurs when muscles or tendons are stretched or torn

Tendons

These are strong bands of connective tissue that connect muscles to bone

Force, repeat, awkward, heavy

These are types of tasks that increase MSD risk factors according to OSHA:

Needing to use ____

Having to ______ actions

Being in an ____ position

Having to do ____lifting

Lateral Transfer

This involves two horizontal surfaces like a person being moved from a bed to a stretcher

Contracture

Lack of joint mobility caused by abnormal shortening of a muscle

2 hours

Person is repositioned at least every _____ whether they’re in a bed or a chair

sides

For the supine position

the bed is flat, head and shoulders are supported by a pillow, and arms and hands are at the _____ supported by regular pillows.

pillow may be placed under lower back and thighs

abdomen, flexed, head

For Prone position

the bed is flat, small pillows are under the head, _____, and lower legs, and arms are _____ at the elbows with the hands near the _____.

Feet can hang over the end of the mattress and pillow is not needed under feet

upper leg, arm, hand

For the left semi prone position,

the ____ is supported with a pillow and there’s a pillow under the upper ___ and _____