WEEK 1 - MANUAL HANDLING AND POSITIONING OF PATIENTS

Question 1

WHAT IS MANUAL HANDLING FOR?

Answer 1

· Protecting your back
· The back is particularly vulnerable to manual handling injuries.
· Safety suggestions include controlling risk factors
· NSW & WA Health – ‘No lifting policy’

Question 2

WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPLE OF BODY MECHANICS?

Answer 2

· Maintaining a stable centre of gravity
· Maintaining a wide base of support
· Maintaining a line of gravity
· Maintaining proper body alignment

Question 3

HOW SHOULD YOU LIFT AND CARRY HEAVY LOADS?

Answer 3

· By keeping it close to the body
· Lifting with thigh muscles, not your back muscles

Question 4

PUSH OR PULL A LOAD?

Answer 4

· Pushing a load (using your body weight to assist) will be more stressful on your body than pulling the load.

Question 5

FOWLER’S POSITION

Answer 5

• Bed-sitting position with upper part of body elevated 30 to 90 degrees commencing at hips
• Head rests on bed surface, arms fall at sides, legs lie flat and straight
• For patient’s with difficulty breathing and for some people with heart problems

Question 6

LATERAL POSITION

Answer 6

• Person lies on one side of the body
• Flexing the top hip and knee and placing his leg in front of the body
• Good for resting and sleeping

Question 7

PRONE POSITION

Answer 7

• Person lies on the abdomen with the head turned to one side.
• Suitable for the unconscious or somebody recovering from surgery of the mouth or throat.

Question 8

SEMI-FOWLER’S POSITION

Answer 8

• Person positioned on their back with the head and trunk raised to between 15-45 degrees is the most frequently used bed angle.
• Used for patients with respiratory distress.

Question 9

HIGH-FOWLER’S POSITION

Answer 9

• Person positioned on their back with the head and trunk raised to 90 degrees, sometimes with the knees flexed.
• Used for patients with respiratory distress.

Question 10

ORTHOPNEIC POSITION

Answer 10

• Person sits either in bed or on the side of the bed with a bed table across the lap.
• This position facilitates respiration by allowing maximum chest expansion.

Question 11

RECUMBENT POSTION

Answer 11

• Person’s head and shoulders are slightly elevated on a small pillow.
• Also known as supine position.
• Used often for certain surgeries or anaesthetics, example: spinal.