When lifting a patient onto a stretcher, the nurse should bend from the?

Appeared in: AIIMS Bhatinda NO - 2019

Explanation

Bending at the knees engages the large, powerful muscles of the legs and buttocks (quadriceps and gluteals) to perform the lift.
This technique ensures the nurse's back remains straight, which protects the spinal column and intervertebral discs from the excessive pressure that can lead to injury.
By bending the knees, the nurse lowers their center of gravity and keeps it aligned over a wide base of support, enhancing stability and control during the transfer.

Option A: Lifting power is not generated from the shoulders. Attempting to lift with the shoulders can cause significant strain to the neck and shoulder muscles.
Option C: Bending from the back places the entire weight of the lift on the smaller, weaker muscles of the lumbar spine and can cause severe injury to the vertebrae and discs.
Option D: Bending at the waist is functionally the same as bending from the back. It involves flexing the spine while under load, which is a high-risk maneuver for back injury.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Proper body mechanics for lifting patients to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs), especially back injuries, are a leading cause of disability and missed work days among nurses, directly impacting the healthcare workforce.
Adherence to Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM) policies, including the use of mechanical lifts and team lifting, is a critical professional responsibility to ensure both nurse and patient safety.
What if the patient is bariatric? The principle of bending at the knees still applies, but it becomes mandatory to use bariatric-specific mechanical lifts and an adequate number of personnel to ensure safety and prevent injury.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question, which is safe patient handling and the principles of body mechanics.
Recall the fundamental rules for safe lifting: keep the back straight, use the strong muscles of the legs, maintain a wide base of support, and keep the load close to your body.
Evaluate each option against these safety principles.
Eliminate options that clearly violate the principles. Bending from the 'Back' or 'Waist' puts direct, harmful strain on the spine.
Select the option that aligns with the primary rule of using the body's strongest muscles for power, which are the leg muscles accessed by bending at the 'Knees'.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Qycje3pXZc9eY_f0ZvJbsN

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 322-324

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 4 pp. 111-113, 85-87

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