Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Positioning: the act of helping people into positions that promote comfort and health.

Supine: body position in which a person lies flat on his back.

Lateral: body position in which a person is lying on either side.

Prone: body position in which a person is lying on his stomach.

Fowler’s: body position in which a person is in a semi-sitting position (45 to 60 degrees).

Sims: body position in which a person is in a left side-lying position; lower arm is behind the back and the upper knee is flexed and raised toward the chest.

Arm lock: hold in which the caregiver places his arm under a person’s arm, grasping the person’s shoulder, while the person grasps the caregiver’s shoulder; also called lock arm.

Draw sheet: an extra sheet placed on top of the bottom sheet; used for moving residents.

Shearing: rubbing or friction that results from the skin moving one way and the bone underneath it remaining fixed or moving in the opposite direction.

Logrolling: method of moving a person as a unit, without disturbing the alignment of the body.

Dangle: to sit up with the legs hanging over the side of the bed in order to regain balance and stabilize blood pressure.

Ergonomics: the science of designing equipment and work tasks to suit the worker’s abilities.

Transfer belt: belt made of canvas or other heavy material that is used to help people who are weak, unsteady, or uncoordinated to stand, sit, or walk; also called a gait belt.

Gait belt: belt made of canvas or other heavy material that is used to help people who are weak, unsteady, or uncoordinated to stand, sit, or walk; also called a transfer belt.

Slide board: a wooden board that helps transfer people who are unable to bear weight on their legs; also called a transfer board.

Ambulation: walking.

Ambulatory: capable of walking.

C cane: a straight cane with a curved handle at the top.

Functional grip cane: cane that has a straight grip handle.

Quad cane: cane that has four rubber-tipped feet and a rectangular base.

Walker: adaptive equipment used for people who are unsteady or who lack balance; usually has four rubber-tipped feet and/or wheels.