Chapter 3. Safer Patient Handling, Positioning, Transfers and Ambulation Show
Immobility in hospitalized patients is known to cause functional decline and complications affecting the respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, integumentary, musculoskeletal, and renal systems (Kalisch, Lee, & Dabney, 2013). For surgical patients, early ambulation is the most significant factor in preventing complications (Sanguinetti, Wild, & Fain, 2014). Lack of mobility and ambulation can be especially devastating to the older adult when the aging process causes a more rapid decline in function (Graf, 2006). Ambulation provides not only improved physical function, but also improves emotional and social well-being (Kalisch, Lee, & Dabney, 2013). Prior to assisting a patient to ambulate, it is important to perform a patient risk assessment to determine how much assistance will be required. An assessment can evaluate a patient’s muscle strength, activity tolerance, and ability to move, as well as the need to use assistive devices or find additional help. The amount of assistance will depend on the patient’s condition, length of stay and procedure, and any previous mobility restrictions. Before ambulating, the patient may need assistance getting to a sitting position. Assisting Patient to the Sitting PositionPatients who have been immobile for a long period of time may experience vertigo, a sensation of dizziness, and orthostatic hypotension, a form of low blood pressure that occurs when changing position from lying down to sitting, making the patient feel dizzy, faint, or lightheaded (Potter et al., 2017). For this reason, always begin the ambulation process by sitting the patient on the side of the bed for a few minutes with legs dangling. Checklist 29 outlines the steps to positioning the patient on the side of a bed prior to ambulation (Perry et al., 2018).
Assisting a Patient to AmbulateAmbulation is defined as moving a patient from one place to another (Potter et al., 2010). Once a patient is assessed as safe to ambulate, the nurse must determine if assistance from additional healthcare providers or assistive devices is required. The following checklists provide guidance in assisting to ambulate using a gait belt or transfer belt (see Checklist 30), walker (Checklist 31), crutches (Checklist 32), and a cane (Checklist 33).
Watch the video How to Ambulate With or Without a Gait Belt or Transfer Belt (2018) by Kim Morris of Thompson Rivers University School of Nursing.
Watch the video How to Ambulate With Crutches (2018) by Kim Morris of Thompson Rivers University School of Nursing.
Watch the video How to Ambulate with a Cane (2018) by Kim Morris of Thompson Rivers University School of Nursing. Critical Thinking Exercises
AttributionsFigure 3.8 Walker by rawpixel.com is free of copyright. Figure 3.9 Standing with support of a walker by author is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Figure 3.10 Preparing to move from chair to walker by author is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Figure 3.11 Teenage boy on crutches with walking boot by Pagemaker787 is used under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. Figure 3.12 An illustration depicting walking on crutches by BruceBlaus is used under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. Figure 3.13 An illustration depicting different cane types by BruceBlaus is used under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. Figure 3.14 Cane height by author is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. What piece of equipment may be used to help transfer residents who are unable to bear weight on their legs?Transfer Board
Also called sliding boards or smooth movers, transfer boards help individuals with limited upper body strength to move from one place to another while lowering the risk of falls and reducing the risk of leg or back injuries for caregivers.
What cane has 4 rubber tipped feet?The quad cane has four rubber-tipped prongs extending from an adjustable aluminum staff. This cane provides more stability than a regular straight cane. The small-base quad cane is used by clients who need support and who can climb stairs.
When a resident can walk he is?Healthcare professionals may refer to a patient as ambulatory. This means the patient is able to walk around. After surgery or medical treatment, a patient may be unable to walk unassisted. Once the patient is able to do so, he is noted to be ambulatory.
Which part of the body would a resident be lying on if they are in the supine position?When the resident is in the supine position (lying on the back) and there is poor body alignment (as can be seen in Diagram # 2), muscle strain can easily occur. Common areas where muscle strain is felt when the resident is in the supine position are: neck, lower back, elbow, wrist, knee and foot.
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