Positioning, Lifting, and Transferring Clients Flashcards

Flashcards testing vocabulary and key principles from Chapter 15 regarding patient positioning, immobility complications, assist devices, and transfer techniques.

Positioning Patients

The practice of changing a client's posture safely to prevent health problems caused by remaining in one spot too long, or to assist with procedures and recovery.

Role of CNAs in Positioning

Certified Nursing Assistants are responsible for helping clients change positions safely.

Pressure Ulcers

Skin complications caused by immobility that require turning the patient to manage or prevent.

Contractures

Bone and muscle complications due to immobility that require range of motion (ROM) exercises and repositioning.

Pneumonia (Immobility Complication)

A lung complication resulting from immobility that requires patient ambulation to prevent.

Blood Clots

A cardiovascular system complication caused by immobility that requires ambulation to prevent.

Urinary System Immobility Effects

Complications including reduced kidney function, incontinence, and urinary tract infections caused by lack of movement.

Musculoskeletal System Immobility Effects

Complications including brittle bones, contractures, and muscle weakness resulting from immobility.

Nervous System Immobility Effects

Negative effects of immobility on the nervous system including lack of stimulation, feelings of anxiety, and feelings of isolation.

Respiratory System Immobility Effects

Complications caused by immobility including pneumonia, decreased respiratory effort, and decreased oxygenation of blood.

Cardiovascular System Immobility Effects

Complications caused by immobility including blood clots and reduced blood flow.

Digestive System Immobility Effects

Effects of immobility on digestion, including decreased appetite and constipation.

Integumentary System Immobility Effects

Skin problems caused by immobility, specifically decreased blood flow and pressure ulcers.

Body Alignment

Keeping the body straight to reduce pain or injury and relieve patient discomfort.

Supportive Devices

Items used to keep a patient in proper body alignment while offering support and comfort.

Pillows (Supportive Device)

A type of supportive device placed around a patient to offer comfort and maintain proper body alignment.

Rolled Sheets and Towels

Supportive devices used to keep a patient in proper body alignment and offer support.

Rolled Blankets

Supportive devices used to assist in maintaining proper body alignment and patient comfort.

Supine Position

A basic positioning method where the patient lies flat on their back, also known as dorsal recumbent position.

Dorsal Recumbent Position

Another name for the basic supine position.

Fowler's Position

A basic patient position that must be verified with the nurse or care plan before moving.

Lateral Position

A basic patient position involving lying on one's side.

Prone Position

A basic patient position where the individual lies flat on their stomach.

Sims' Position

A basic positioning posture that requires verification with a nurse or care plan prior to positioning.

Sitting Position

A basic position verified with a care plan or nurse before moving the patient.

Patient Repositioning Rule

Always lift or roll the patient instead of dragging them to avoid causing shearing or friction issues.

Shearing and Friction Issues

Skin damage caused by dragging a patient across bed linens during repositioning rather than lifting or rolling them.

Moving a Person to the Side of the Bed

A standard procedure for repositioning a client in bed.

Helping a Person to Move Up in Bed

A specific procedure used when a client has slid down in bed and needs assistance shifting upward.

Raising a Person's Head and Shoulders

A procedure for adjusting a patient's upper body position in bed.

Turning a Person onto His or Her Side

A standard repositioning procedure to roll a patient into a lateral position.

Logrolling

A specific procedure for turning a person as a single, unit alignment without twisting.

Guidelines Box 15-1

The reference box containing the specific dos and don'ts for repositioning a person.

Transfer Belts

Belts placed around the waist on top of clothes to help weak or unsteady clients stand, walk, or transfer.

Transfer Belt Placement

Belts must always be secured around the client's waist on top of their clothing.

Transfer Planning

Planning the transfer steps before moving the resident rather than figuring it out halfway through.

Transfer-Assist Devices

Equipment used during patient transfers to prevent work-related injuries to caregivers.

Lift Sheet

A transfer-assist device used to move or lift clients in bed or onto stretchers.

Side Rails

Bed components that patients can use to help themselves move or transfer.

Powered Lifts

Motorized transfer-assist devices used to move patients safe from injury.

Sliding Boards

Transfer-assist devices specifically designed for lateral movement of a patient.

Wheelchair Safety Check

Inspecting that there are no broken or missing parts, wheels turn smoothly, safety straps are secure, brakes work, and footrests fold up/swivel before moving.

Wheelchair Footrests

Wheelchair components that must fold up and swivel to the side before client transfer.

Stretcher Transfer

Transferring a resident using appropriate assist devices like a lift sheet or transfer board, requiring assistance.

Transfer Board

An assist device used alongside staff assistance to move a resident onto a stretcher.

Mechanical Lift

A device used to move clients who cannot help, requiring verification of both client weight and lift capacity.

Mechanical Lift Weight Capacity

The maximum weight limit of a lift device that must be verified against the client's weight before use.

Dangling

The first step for getting a patient out of bed to walk; prevents falls by allowing time for the heart to adjust to position changes and observing for dizziness or fainting.

Fitting Assistive Devices

Ensuring walking devices are custom-fitted to the resident and never shared between residents due to safety concerns.

Cane Technique

Using a cane on the patient's strong side while the CNA stands on the patient's weak side.