Body Mechanics of basic nursing and science

Postioning the body

1.   BODY MECHANICS PRESENTED MISS JENNIFER OWARE MPHIL STD UG, BSc NURSING, RGN, LICENSING EXAMINER.

2. OVERVIEW The co-ordinated efforts and safe use of the body to produce motion and maintain proper balance, posture and body alignments during activity.

3. Importance of body mechanics It prevent strain on the body needed in lifting, shifting, pulling, pushing, bending and transferring patient It enhance efficient use of the body during nursing activities

4. Importance of body Mechanics cont’d Proper body mechanics avoid the risk of causing injury to the nurse and the patient

5. Principles underlying proper body mechanics Three major factors involved are : Centre of gravity Base of support Line of gravity

6. Centre of Gravity Centre of gravity is located in pelvic area. Half of the body weight is distributed above the pelvic area horizontally Half the body weight is to each side of the body as divided vertically.

7. Centre of gravity cont’d To maintain a balance in lifting, Keep knees and hips bend Back is straightened to allow weight of body to be distributed over the feet to give extra stability.

8. Base of Support Feet provide the base of support. The wider the base support, the more stable the object within limits. The feet are spread side wide when to give side-to-side stability. One foot is placed slightly in front of the other for back-to-front stability.

9. Base of Support Weight distribute evenly between both feet. knees are flexed slightly to absorb jolts. Feet are moved to the object being moved.

10. Line of Gravity Line of gravity is an imaginary vertical line through top of head, the centre of gravity and the base support. The line is drawn straight from top to the base support to ensure highest efficiency with equal weight on each side.

11. Line of Gravity The back is straightened Head is erect Line of gravity passes through centre of body and proper body mechanics will be in place

12. Basic Principles of Body Mechanics Pull, push, or roll an object than to lifting Movement should be smooth and continuous rather than jerky. Less energy or force is required to keep object moving than it is to start and stop it.

13. Basic Principles of Body Mechanics Works as close as possible to the object. Use strong leg and arm muscles as much as possible. Use back muscles as little as possible

14. Basic Principles of Body Mechanics Face the direction of the movement to prevent abdominal twisting and the spine

15. LIFTING TECHNIQUES

16. Lifting Technique An art of carrying patient from one place to another with minimal effort without injury to the nurse and vice versa

17. Forms of lifting Sit up in bed Sit out of bed i.e. position in and out of bed Bed to stretcher Stretcher to bed Stretcher to stretcher Sitting position on the side of the bed

18. Basic Rules for Lifting Keep back straight Keep feet separated to provide a good base of support Bend from hips and knees to get close to the object or patient

19. Basic Rules for Lifting cont’d Hold heavy objects close to the body Use the stronger muscles in lifting

20. Basic Rules for Lifting cont’d Always ask for help if object to be lifted is too heavy to be moved Co-ordinate movements Avoid twisting body as you work Do not bend for long periods.

21. Types of Lifting There are two main types of lifting and these are: Orthodox Australian

22. Orthodox lift Two nurses are needed Steps Stand close to the bed facing each other. Ask patient to cross arms across the chest with the head bent forward

23. Orthodox lift Clasp each other’s arm at the back of the patient and under the knees Position feet wide apart to give greater support. Lift patient to bed or chair

24. Orthodox lift

25. Australian lift Nurses stand close to the bed with their inner shoulder under the patient axillae Place patient’s weight on shoulder muscles Straighten flexed hip Place feet wide apart

26. Australian lift cont’d Lift patient Outer arms are used to support bed and adjust pillows. Check whether lift was comfortable for patient

27. Guidelines for Lifting Assess patient and the environment to establish what aid and help will be required for the lifting. Decide on how patient is to be lifted Ensure other nurses are aware of what they are to do. Screen area if necessary

28. Guidelines for Lifting cont’d Adopt suitable stand for the proposed lift. Feet should be wide apart Stand as close to patient as possible Bend knees and hips to allow a suitable grasp to be taken.

29. Guidelines for Lifting cont’d Grasp the other lifter’s hand or wrist firmly avoiding tender and painful areas Lift patient into a desired position one nurse acting as a leader and coordinate the movement of lifting Check whether lift was comfortable for the patient.

30. Forms of lifting Assisting Patient to Sitting Position Place client in a supine position Remove all pillows from the bed Face the head of the bed Place feet apart with the foot nearest to the bed behind the other foot

31. Assisting Patient to Sitting Position Place hand further from under the shoulder of the patient Give support to patient head and vertebrae Place other hand on the bed surface Raise patient to a sitting position by shifting weight from front leg to the back leg.

32. Lifting Unconscious Patient Two or three nurses needed Stand at same side of the patient Lift patient Nurse at patient’s head moves towards head of bed or stretcher Nurse holding trunk and feet move at the same time Patient is moved with sheet

33. Transferring unconscious patients from bed to stretcher Four nurses are needed Identify patient and provide privacy Lock wheels of bed Raise bed to equal height of stretcher Lower side rails if any Place stretcher parallel against the bed Lock wheels of stretcher

34. Transferring unconscious patients from bed to stretcher Position lifters One nurse stands opposite side of the bed One stands at the foot of the bed facing head of bed Third nurse stands against the stretcher Fourth nurse stands at head of stretcher facing foot of the stretcher.

35. Moving an unconscious patient Nurse at foot end hold patient’s feet and legs Nurse at side of bed lifts and guides patient’s body Nurse at side of stretcher grasps and turns sheets with hands, raises and draws patient on the stretcher

36. Moving an unconscious patient Nurse at the head of stretcher cradles patient’s head and neck with hand under shoulders and arms together Patient is lifted and placed at centre of the stretcher Secure stretcher restraints

37. Log rolling of patient on to his side Identify patient and provide privacy Secure help from other nurses Elevate bed to waist high horizontal position. Lock wheels Lower side rail on side opposite the patient will be turned .

38. Log rolling of patient on to his side Stay on the same side of bed Lift patient as a unit First nurse places hands under patient’s head and shoulder Second nurse places hands under patient’s hips and legs.

39. Log rolling of patient on to his side Carry on till completion of action Place pillow lengthwise between the patient’s legs and fold the patient’s arm over chest Place additional pillows behind the patient to maintain position