Ch. 18 (Body Mechanics)

• body mechanics


  the way you use your body to prevent injury

  • use body in efficient and careful way
• base of support


  area on which an object rests
• pivot


  automatic, turning in the desired direction
• contractures


  lack of joint mobility caused by abnormal shortening of a muscle
• good body mechanics

  1. good base of support (feet)
  2. body alignment/good posture
  3. pivot when turning, don’t twist
  4. strong muscles to not strain back (butt, upper arms, thighs)
  5. size up load
  6. bending knees, not back to avoid strain
  7. push when possible
  8. don’t reach above head
  9. both hands when lofting
  10. get help if needed
  11. let patient know
• ergonomics


  designing a job to fit the worker
• musculoskeletal disorders(MSDs)


  injuries/disorders of muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage
• weak on 1 side to transfer to bedside chair

  use gait belt
• ambulate pt


  walk beside pt and hold onto their arm
• logroll pt


  for pt with back surgery
• proper body mechanics


  prevent injury to pt and nurse assistant
• move pt up the head of bed


  tell pt to lie, relax, allow you to move him
• dangle after BR


  NA observes residents ability to tolerate procedure
• transfer bed to chair

  chair at middle of bed across where pt sits
• back surgery pt


  need to be logrolled as 1 unit