Principles of Lifting, Moving, and Positioning of Patients

You arrive at a scene with a person sitting in their car.  There is no apparent damage to the vehicle.  The person is in cardiac arrest.  You should:

• begin cpr while the pt is still in the car and move him from the car when additional help arrives
• grasp the pt under his arms, cradle his head between your arms, and remove him from the vehicle

A device that separates into left and right halves and is helpful when moving a patient from a small place is called a:

• folding stretcher
• scoop stretcher
• flexible stretcher

Following the general recommendations when moving a patient you should always move the patient before treating him or her if the scene is safe

• False
• True

All of the following are important principles of patient movement when a spinal injury is suspected, EXCEPT:

• ensuring that you move the patient as a unit
• ensuring that one rescuer gives all commands to move
• transporting the patient on the left side in case of vomiting
• keeping the patients head and neck in a neutral position

An appropriately sized cervical collar is designed to minimize head and neck movement and prevent further injury.

• True
• False

An elderly woman wearing a thin nightgown must be moved from an unsafe environment quickly.  What's the most rapid and effective way?

• Place her in a chair and wheel her out
• log roll her onto a backboard
• grasp onto her nightgown and pull
• use a blanket or rug to pull her out

Any time a patient has suffered a traumatic injury you should NEVER suspect injury to the head, neck, or spine

• True
• False

Basic patient movement techniques require slight modification when moving a patient from a wrecked vehicle because the patient:

• is often unconscious
• is not in a lying position
• cannot be grasped under the arms
• is usually trapped in the wreckage

The chair carry technique may force the patient's head forward, so the rescuer should use one hand to support the patient's head

• True
• False, not sure why
• False, the rescuer should watch the patient for problems with the airway

Before attempting to move any patient, you should always assess the patient's weight and know your physical limitations. 

• False
• True