Body Mechanics

________ is the most common injury experienced by health care workers.

_________ are the strongest muscles in your body.

Always bend at your _________.

• Hips

• Knees

• Ankles

• Back

• Waist

What is body mechanics?

• “Positioning the body in ways that prevent injury”

• "The need to be in good physical shape in order to properly care for patients”

• “A list of ways to use as much of your strength as possible”

• “Correct stretching prior to doing physical work”

How should employees and patients move their feet when preparing to move in a different direction?

• "In short pivots until they point in the direction they want to travel”

• “Keep body still while turning the feet to the right direction”

• “Keep feet still while turning the body in the right direction”

• “Slide feet until the body is pointing to the right direction”

Why should your feet be shoulder-width apart when lifting?

• “Helps you maintain balance”

• “Keeps you from breaking the item”

• “Prevents you from dropping the item”

How can back injuries be avoided (check all that apply)

• maintain wide base of support

• maintain proper body alignment

• bend at your waist

• use only your upper body strength

Which of the following should you do to ensure a safe transfer from bed to wheelchair?

• lock the wheels of the wheelchair

• move footrests out of the way

• make sure the beds headrest is at 90 degrees

• make sure bed is at its highest point

What is shearing?

• When you turn a patient in bed

• When the skin moves in the opposite direction of the skeleton and can create pressure ulcers

• When a patient's blood pressure goes down when changing positions

What stage is this pressure ulcer?

• I

• II

• III

• IV