Deck 13: Safe Patient Movement and Handling Techniques

Question 1

When moving a patient from a cart to the radiographic table,it would be appropriate to

A)ask the patient how much he or she can help with the transfer.
B)wrap the patient up in a sheet and roll him or her over completely.
C)allow the patient to safely help with the transfer as much as he or she is able.
D)do both a and c.

Answer 1

D
The patient's physical and cognitive abilities determine the amount of assistance required in each transfer.Some patients can perform the movement tasks independently or with verbal directions from the health professional.Other patients need manual assistance or the use of special equipment,such as lifts or transfer devices.To promote safety for patients and staff,health professionals involved with patient handling and movement must decide on the appropriate type of transfer.

Question 2

The purpose of a patient transfer is to

A)make arrangements for the patient to be moved to another nursing unit.
B)safely move a patient from one area to another.
C)provide for the patient's hospital bill to be deducted from his or her banking institution.
D)make delivery arrangements for the patient's personal belongings.

Answer 2

B
The purpose of a transfer is to safely get a patient from one place to another.The patient's physical and cognitive abilities determine the amount of assistance required in each transfer.

Question 3

All of the following are true of good lifting mechanics EXCEPT

A)do most of the lifting with your legs and keep your back stationary.
B)extend your reach beyond the center of gravity to broaden your arm coverage.
C)stand with your feet far apart to broaden your base of support.
D)ensure your center of gravity is over your base of support.

Answer 3

B
When lifting a patient,the technologist should stand with feet apart to increase the base of support.The patient's center of gravity should be held close to the clinician's center of gravity.When lifting patients,keep the back stationary and let the legs do all of the lifting and avoid any twisting.

Question 4

When lifting patients,it is important to

A)lift with your back and save your leg strength.
B)twist at the waist to improve your center of gravity.
C)avoid using a transfer belt to prevent abdominal cramping.
D)keep your back stationary and lift with your legs.

Question 5

A sudden drop in a patient's blood pressure caused by standing or sitting upright is called

A)hypertension.
B)anemia.
C)orthostatic hypotension.
D)postural emesis.

Question 6

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A)When lifting someone or something,stand as close as possible to whatever you are lifting.
B)Keep your feet very wide apart and your back arched when lifting.
C)When working with cardiac patients,it is safe to let them help you until they become exhausted.
D)When lifting a stack of heavy grid cassettes from the floor to a counter,it is advisable to use your arm muscles because they are stronger than those of the thigh.

Question 7

When transferring a patient from a wheelchair to a radiographic table,

A)position the wheelchair at a 90-degree angle to the table.
B)allow the patient to help with the transfer if it is safe and he or she is capable of doing so.
C)do not let the patient do any weight-bearing movements.
D)break the transfer into a series of simultaneous movements and commands.

Question 8

Mobility muscles differ from stability muscles in that

A)stability muscles are located in the knees and ankles.
B)mobility muscles are located in the arms and legs.
C)stability muscles are involved in digestion and body homeostasis.
D)mobility muscles provide postural support.

Question 9

If a patient cannot assist with a cart-to-table transfer,

A)a draw sheet or transfer assist device should be used.
B)ask one other colleague to help you do the lifting.
C)disregard the transfer and do a portable examination with the patient on the cart.
D)none of the above are appropriate.

Question 10

After successfully completing a safe hydraulic lift of a large patient,the imaging professional should

A)remove the transfer sling and send it to laundry for cleaning.
B)keep the patient in the hydraulic lift and return him or her to the floor.
C)return the patient in a wheelchair with the transfer sling under the patient.
D)return the patient to the floor on a cart with the sling draped alongside the cart.

Question 11

As you raise a cardiac patient from a supine position on the radiographic table,

A)you must look for signs of orthostatic hypotension.
B)continually communicate with the patient to check his or her status.
C)raise the patient slowly and steadily.
D)do all of the above.

Question 12

When performing a two-person lift of a patient from a wheelchair,it is important to

A)ask the patient to put his or her arms up over his or her head.
B)lift the patient with his or her knees bent.
C)bend over from the back and lift the patient's legs with your partner.
D)lift the patient as a unit,with his or her arms crossed and legs straight.

Question 13

As you enter a patient's room to perform a portable examination,you notice the patient sleeping on her side with one leg over the other with the knees bent.This patient is in the _____ position.

A)Fowler
B)supine
C)Sims
D)None of the above are correct.

Question 14

When moving a patient to or from a stretcher,

A)have the patient hold the stretcher from moving.
B)lock the stretcher securely against the examination table.
C)prop a wheelchair against the end of the cart.
D)protect the stretcher with woolen blankets.

Question 15

According to the U.S.Department of Labor,one of the most common work-related injuries resulting in lost work time and disability is

A)carpal tunnel syndrome.
B)torn rotator cuff injury.
C)back injury.
D)torn knee meniscus.

Question 16

When transferring patients for medical imaging procedures,communication is an essential component of a safe and efficient transfer.Which of the following is not a recommended communication strategy to achieve a safe transfer?

A)Call the nursing floor to learn of the patient's mobility.
B)During the transfer,try to stay quiet so as not to alarm the patient.
C)Ask the patient how much he or she can assist with the movement.
D)Ask the patient if he or she has been moved recently and how the experience went.

Question 17

All of the following are related EXCEPT

A)assisted standing pivot.
B)standby assist.
C)log roll assist.
D)hydraulic lift.

Question 18

When positioning a patient in a rolling motion transfer,

A)always move the patient toward you.
B)ask the patient which way he or she wants to be rolled.
C)roll the patient toward his or her weak side.
D)never roll a patient because it creates postural hypotension.

Question 19

You have received a patient from the nursing floor who needs to be transferred by way of a hydraulic lift.The patient arrives at the medical imaging department on a cart without a transfer sling.To proceed with a safe lift,you should

A)set up the patient in a transfer sling.
B)roll the patient over onto a transfer sling.
C)improvise using a sheet as a transfer sling.
D)call the nursing floor and return the patient to be placed on a sling.

Question 20

For efficient and safe patient transfers and handling,the imaging professional should

A)use mobility muscles for posture.
B)use red postural muscles for support.
C)narrow the stance and stand on tiptoes for flexibility.
D)keep the knees straight and taut and lift from the shoulders.