FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY
EGAN SCHOOL OF NURSING AND HEALTH STUDIES
NURS 2270 Health Assessment Skills Module
Body Mechanics
BEGINNING
____Perform hand hygiene
___assess pt ability, weakness, weight
___consider nurse strength
___get help when needed
___only lift as last resort
___use assistive devices
___bed wheels locked
___explain procedure
___equipment ready
PRINCIPLES OF BODY MECHANICS
___feet apart, broad base, firm stance
___center of gravity low
___knees slightly flexed (bent)
___abdomen tight to protect self
___rock weight from front foot to back foot
as you move pt
___move pt using leg/arm, not back muscles
___keep back straight
___keep patient close to body
MOVE PT UP IN BED
___bed flat, raised to working height
___move pillow to headboard
___nurse legs bent, wide stance, feet flat
___hands at pt shoulder and hips
___use draw sheet and 2 people
___pt: flex knees, feet flat on bed
___pt arms crossed
___nurse shift weight forward as move pt up
___avoid shearing (lift, don’t slide)
___leave pt in good body alignment
___call bell in reach
___lower bed, rails up prn
TRANSFER BED TO STRETCHER
___stretcher next to bed, rail down
___lock stretcher and bed
___cover pt with bath blanket
___move pt close to stretcher
___remove pillow and put on stretcher
___RNs at pt feet and at head/shoulders
___pt arms crossed, chin to chest
___use draw sheet or slide board to gently lift/pull
pt onto stretcher
TRANSFER FROM BED TO CHAIR
___wheelchair next to bed
___lock wheelchair and bed
___raise head of bed (HOB)
___lower side rail
___face pt, and have him side lying
___RN wide base of support, legs flexed
___RN hands under pt shoulder/hips
___pivot to sit pt at side of bed
___support pt until stable
___pt robe and footwear on
___RN stands facing pt, wide base, knees flexed
___RN hands on pt waist
___pt hands around RN betw shoulders/hips
___RN helps lift and pivots the pt
___pt feels wheelchair with back of legs/hands
___RN braces pt knees with nurse’s knees
___RN gently seats pt
___call bell in reach, wheels locked
ASSIST TO AMBULATE
___bed to low, rail down
___help pt sit up at side of bed
___put pt slippers on
___use assistive equipment (belt) prn
___support pt feet with RN feet to avoid slip
___assist pt to stand from waist
___support pt at waist
___walk behind, to side, holding
TURNING PT IN BED
___raise bed to working height
___use draw sheet, pillow between pt legs
___client’s arms crossed, far rail up
___RN wide base of support, rocking motion
___move pt to near side of bed (with help)
___then: nurse faces patient at far side
___rolls pt in one motion toward nurse
___pull lower shoulder out from behind
___put pillow behind pt
___good body alignment
___reposition at least every two hours
___call bell in reach, bed low position
 FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY
EGAN SCHOOL OF NURSING AND HEALTH STUDIES
NURS 2270 Health Assessment Skills Module
Body Mechanics

For all positions, leave pt in good body

alignment; use towels, rolls to support limbs and
joints! Assess for pressure areas on all!

PRONE POSITION SIMS POSITION

___pt supine ___HOB flat
___move pt to one side of bed ___pt supine
___place pt arms straight to thighs ___pt lifts/pulls self to one side of bed
___log roll pt to prone position ___pt flexes (bends) knees
___move their head to side ___pillow between legs
___ensure good body alignment ___RN hand on pt hip and shoulder
___pt arms flexed ___roll pt to lateral, partly on abdomen
___pillows at waist/legs prn ___pillow for head
___feet 90 degrees over mattress edge ___flex upper arm, level with shoulder
___flex upper leg
FOWLER’S POSITION ___pillow for upper leg
___position on back ___assess for good spinal alignment
___pt lifts/pulls self up in bed (avoid shear)
___elevate HOB TRENDELENBURG
___30°=low Fowlers ___entire bed frame tilted
___45°=semi Fowlers ___head of bed down low
___90°=high Fowlers ___facilitates venous return
___pillow for head/arm support
___footboard as needed to keep blankets off toes ASSISTIVE DEVICES
___table support for high Fowlers ___Hand roll
___Trochanter roll
SIDE-LYING POSTION ___Tuck pillow into mattress at pt’s back
___position on back ___Pillow between legs to roll
___roll to side (HOB at 30°) ___Support under all joints or spaces
___pillows against back and at head ___No skin touching skin
___bottom shoulder forward
___support both arms (towel rolls)
___pillow under bent leg, support feet END
___good body alignment ___bed down to lowest position
___rails up if appropriate
SUPINE POSITION (Dorsal Recumbent) ___call bell within reach
___position on back ___perform hand hygiene
___body in horizontal plane ___document
___support shoulders/neck
___elbows slightly flexed
___foot support
Updated: 1/22 Dm