Lab f

• Body mechanics


  The coordinated efforts of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems
• Body mechanics


  The efficient, coordinated, and safe use of the body to move objects and carry out the activities of daily living
• Base of support (BOS)


  The area beneath an object or person that includes every point of contact that the object or person makes with the supporting surface
• Center of gravity


  The area around which the mass of the object is concentrated
• Line of gravity


  An imaginary vertical line from the center of gravity to the ground or surface the object or person is on
• Principles of body mechanics

  • Keep weight balance above base of support
  • Widen the base of support as necessary
  • Lower the center of gravity toward the base of support as necessary
  • Tighten abdominal, gluteal, arm and leg muscles in preparation for all gravities
  • Face the direction or the task and turn the body into one place
  • Bend with the hips and knees and keep the back straight when lifting
  • Move objects on level surfaces when possible
  • Slide (rather than lift) objects on a smooth surface when possible
  • Hold objects close to the body and stand close to objects to be moved
  • Use body weight to assist in lifting or moving when possible
  • Use smooth motions and reasonable speed when carrying out tasks
  • When moving a client, use a pulling motion whenever possible
  • When turning is unavoidable, use a pivoting turn
  • Raise the working surface to your waist level when possible
• Rules for proper body mechanics

  • Maintain broad base of support, 12 inches
  • Bend your knees
  • Keep back straight
  • Use largest muscles to do work-lift smoothly
  • Keep load close
  • Push or pull instead of lifting
  • Face work-void twisting while turning
  • Don't overreach
  • Get help if too heavy
• Lifting is the most common cause of back injuries among healthcare workers
• Cervical curve


  Curve of the NECK
• Thoracic curve


  Curve of the MIDDLE BACK
• Lumbar curve


  Curve of the LOWER BACK
• Discs


  Round-shaped cartilage that absorbs shocks and separates vertebrae
• Muscles and joints


  Several muscle groups help support spine, including abdomen and back. Flexible joints allow back to provide range of motion
• Understand that the use of body mechanics will not necessarily prevent injury if manually handling a load greater than 35 pounds without the use of assistive devices
• Avoid lifting anything greater than 35 pounds. Use assistive equipment, get help from coworkers, and participate in the purchasing/ordering process of appropriate assistive equipment for your work setting
• Become consciously aware of your posture and body mechanics
• When standing for a period of time, periodically move legs and hips, and flex one hip and knee and rest your foot on an object if possible
• When sitting, keep your knees slightly higher than your hips
• Use a firm mattress and soft pillow that provide good body support at natural body curvatures
• Exercise regularly to maintain overall physical condition and regulate weight; include exercises that strengthen the pelvic, abdominal, and spinal muscles
• Avoid movements that cause pain or require spinal flexion with straight legs (e.g., toe-touching and sit-ups) or spinal rotation (twisting)
• When moving an object, spread your feet apart to provide a wide base of support
• Wear comfortable low-heeled shoes that provide good foot support and reduce the risk of slipping
• Hand hygiene is important in every setting, including hospitals. It is considered one of the most effective infection prevention measures
• Any client may harbor microorganisms that are currently harmless to the client yet potentially harmful to another person or to the same client if they find a portal of entry
• Health care workers should cleanse their hands before and after giving care of any kind
• Allowing a full, quiet breath in and a slow, complete exhalation, the nurse can focus his or her attention and intention to remain mindful. This mindful attitude enhances the nurse's therapeutic presence and increases the effectiveness and safety of care
• For routine client care, vigorous hand washing under a stream of water for 15 to 20 seconds using granular soap, soap-filled sheets, or liquid soap at the beginning of the nurse's shift, when hands are visibly soiled, and after using the toilet is recommended
• Antimicrobial soaps are usually provided in high-risk areas (e.g., the newborn nursery)
• The CDC recommends antimicrobial hand hygiene agents when there are known multiple resistant bacteria, before invasive procedures, in special care units, such as nurseries and intensive care units (ICUs), and before caring for severely immunocompromised clients
• Situations when hand hygiene using soap and water is recommended

  • When there are known multiple resistant bacteria
  • Before invasive procedures
  • In special care units, such as nurseries and intensive care units (ICUs)
  • Before caring for severely immunocompromised clients
• Criteria for hand hygiene using soap and water

  • Inspect the surface of hands for breaks or cuts in skin or cuticles
  • Assess that nail tips should be less than ¼ inch long and free of artificial nails or extenders
  • If no requirements are fulfilled, the caregiver has the option of decontaminating hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub
• Hand hygiene using soap and water

  1. Prepare all pieces of equipment

  2. Stand in front of the sink; do not allow your uniform to touch the sink during the washing procedure

  3. Remove jewelry, if possible, and secure it in a safe place

  4. Turn on water and adjust force; regulate the temperature until the water is warm

  5. Wash the hands and wrist area; keep hands lower than elbows to allow water to flow toward fingertips

  6. Use about 1 teaspoon of liquid soap from the dispenser or rinse bar of soap and lather thoroughly; cover all areas of hands with the soap product; rinse the soap bar again and return to the soap rack without touching the rack

  7. With firm rubbing in circular motion, wash hands thoroughly, the palms and the back of the hands, each finger, the ring knuckle wrist and forearms; wash at least 1 inch above the area of contamination

  8. Wash the forearms at least as high as the elbow

  9. Continue this friction motion for at least 20 seconds with firm rubbing and circular motions, wash the palms and backs of the hands, each finger, the areas between the fingers, and the knuckles, wrists, and forearms; wash at least 1 inch above the area of contamination

  10. Use fingernails on the other hand or a clean orange wood stick to clean the area under the fingernail

  11. Rinse thoroughly with water flowing toward fingertips

  12. Pat hands dry with a paper towel, beginning with the fingers and moving upward toward forearms, and discard immediately; use another clean towel to turn off the faucet; discard the towel immediately without touching another clean hand

  13. Use oil-free lotion on hands, if desired
• Gloves will be necessary in some circumstances but should be worn only when required (WHO 2009)
• Non-sterile disposable gloves


  • Commonly made of natural rubber latex, but concerns about latex sensitivity mean that many healthcare organizations have adopted gloves made of alternative materials such as vinyl
  • Single use - they should be used for the task for which they are required and then removed and disposed of
  • Cannot be cleaned and reused for another task
• Sterile gloves


  • Packed as a left-and-right pair and are manufactured in a wide range of full and half sizes (similar to shoe sizes) so as to fit closely and provide the best possible compromise between acting as a barrier and allowing the wearer to work normally
  • Natural rubber latex is still one of the best materials for this, so sterile gloves are more often made of this than of alternative materials
• Assessing the need for sterile gloves


  1. Assess the situation to determine the necessity for sterile gloves; consider the type of procedure to be performed and consult institutional policy on the use of sterile gloves

  2. Check the patient's medical record for information about a possible latex allergy; question the patient about any history of allergy, including latex allergy or sensitivity, and signs and symptoms that have occurred; if the patient has a latex allergy, anticipate the need for latex-free gloves
• Donning sterile gloves


  1. Perform hand hygiene and put on PPE, if indicated

  2. Peel open the outer pack from the corners and lay it on the surface

  3. Open the inner glove wrapper exposing the cuffed gloves with palms facing up

  4. Pick up the first glove by the cuff, touching only the inside portion of the cuff

  5. While holding the cuff in one hand, slip your other hand into the glove; pointing the glove towards the floor will keep the fingers open

  6. Pick up the second glove by sliding the fingers of the gloved hand under the cuff of the second glove

  7. Put the second glove on the ungloved hand by maintaining a steady pull on the cuff; adjust the glove fingers until the gloves fit comfortably

  
• Removing sterile gloves


  1. Using the dominant hand with gloves, grasp the other glove near the cuff end and remove by inverting it, keeping the contaminated area on the inside; continue to hold the glove

  2. Slide fingers of hand without glove inside the remaining glove; grasp the glove in the inside by turning inside out over hand and the other glove

  3. Discard gloves in the appropriate container and wash hands

  
• Range of Motion (ROM)

  • The maximum amount of movement available at a joint in one of the three planes of the body, sagittal, frontal or transverse
  • ROM is the complete extent of movement of which a joint is normally capable and without causing pain