Proper Body Mechanics for HCAs

Question 1

What are the four principles of body mechanics?

Answer 1

1. Maintain a wide base of support.
2. Use your legs and keep your back straight.
3. Turn your whole body and
4. Stay close to the object you are lifting and moving.

Question 2

What the proper body mechanics for hospital beds?

Answer 2

If you are working with a client in a hospital bed, adjust to a working level with the breaks on. When done, return the height of the bed to the lowest level for client safety and ask the client if you would like to re-apply the breaks.

Question 3

What is the medical definition of body alignment?

Answer 3

Is the correct position of a client’s body and the arrangement of the body in a straight line.

Question 4

What is the proper body alignment for a care recipient in a chair? Also known medical chair alignment. Not to be confused with a wheelchair.

Answer 4

*Positioned a safe distance from the edge of the chair and *Sitting with good posture *Back aligned with the chair back *Shoulders straight and squared *Neck, back, and heels aligned *Both feet on the ground *Arms bent

Question 5

What is the proper medical bed alignment?

Answer 5

• Be positioned a safe distance from the edge of the bed *Have the arms at their side, parallel to the body or comfortably bent * Have hips, knees, and feet aligned
• Have no body resting on a pressure point (use pillows if needed)
• Have the pillow positioned under the neck only. Never under the shoulders.