The student nurse demonstrated principles of good body mechanics with which activity?
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The American Journal of Nursing Vol. 50, No. 11 (Nov., 1950) , pp. 745-748 (4 pages) Published By: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins https://doi.org/10.2307/3459363 https://www.jstor.org/stable/3459363 Read and download Log in through your school or library Journal Information The American Journal of Nursing (AJN) is the oldest and largest circulating nursing journal in the world. The Journal's mission is to promote excellence in professional nursing, with a global perspective, by providing cutting edge, evidence-based information that embraces a holistic perspective on health and nursing. Clinical articles focus on acute care, health promotion and prevention, rehabilitation, emergencies, critical care, home health care, etc. Columns present additional perspectives on clinical care, such as ethics, the law, practice errors, pain and symptom management, and professional issues. Publisher Information Wolters Kluwer Health is a leading provider of information for professionals and students in medicine, nursing, allied health, pharmacy and the pharmaceutical industry. Major brands include traditional publishers of medical and drug reference tools and textbooks, such as Lippincott Williams & Wilkins and Facts & Comparisons; electronic information providers, such as Ovid Technologies, Medi-Span and ProVation Medical; and pharmaceutical information providers Adis International and Source®. Wolters Kluwer Health is a division of Wolters Kluwer, a leading multi-national publisher and information services company with annual revenues (2005) of €3.4 billion and approximately 18,400 employees worldwide. Wolters Kluwer is headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Its depositary receipts of shares are quoted on the Euronext Amsterdam (WKL) and are included in the AEX and Euronext 100 indices. Rights & Usage This item is part of a JSTOR Collection. In this section of the NCLEX-RN examination, you will be expected to demonstrate your knowledge and skills of ergonomic principles in order to:
Ergonomics is a scientific discipline that addresses the human being in the environment to facilitate human wellbeing. For example, an ergonomically designed computer mouse and ergonomically and anatomically correct chairs that curve to conform to our normal lumbar curve are examples of ergonomic principles applied to products that are used in the home and the workplace. Body mechanics is the safe use of the body using the correct posture, bodily alignment, balance and bodily movements to safely bend, carry, lift and move objects and people. An example of a good body mechanics principle is to push rather then pull objects and people. Nurses must apply the principles of ergonomics and well as body mechanics in their personal and professional life. Assessing the Client Ability to Balance, Transfer and Using Assistive Devices Prior to Planning CareUpon admission, and whenever a significant client change occurs, the client's ability to balance, safely transfer and use assistive devices is assessed and then incorporated into the client's plan of care. As previously discussed in terms of falls and fall prevention, the nurse assessing the client may determine that the client is at risk for falls because they lack the muscular strength, coordination, and/or balance to do so in a safe manner and without injury to self and the staff that are performing care. In addition to increasing the client's muscular strength, coordination, and/or balance, nurses, often in collaboration with a physical therapist and other health care providers, nurses assess the client's ability to safely use an assistive device such as a walker or a cane to facilitate their movement and ambulation. Providing Instruction and Information to Client about Body Positions that Eliminate the Potential for Repetitive Stress InjuriesIn addition to the fact that health care staff must be knowledgeable about and use good body mechanics and ergonomic principles, clients also need knowledge and skill in content areas including body position, proper bodily alignment and ways to prevent repetitive stress injuries. Some of the common used, anatomically correct positions that are used by patients in bed are the Fowler's position which is a sitting position with the head of the bed elevated, the dorsal recumbent position and supine positions which are lying on the back with or without a pillow for the head, the prone position on the stomach, the lateral position which is a side lying position with the upper most knee bent and often maintained in that position with a pillow, and the Sim's position which is a semi prone position. Repetitive stress injuries, simply defined, are injuries that lead to muscular and neurological pain and discomfort, stiffness, and cramping as the result of repeated and repetitive movements and other things that lead to the overuse of a muscle or muscle group. The most often affected muscles and muscle groups include those of the wrist, forearm, elbow, fingers, hands, neck and shoulders. Some of the activities and conditions associated with repetitive stress injuries include:
Using Ergonomic and Body Mechanics Principles When Providing CareBody mechanics is the safe use of the body using the correct posture, bodily alignment, balance and bodily movements to safely bend, carry, lift and move objects and people. Safe patient handling and the application of the principles of body mechanics protect the patient and they also protect the nurse. Patients benefit because they are being lifted and transferred by one or more people who are using the strongest muscles of the body and nurses benefit because they have avoided patient injury and they have also protected themselves from sometimes severe and permanent injuries, particularly to their back, which can sometimes cease the nurse's ability to return to nursing. In addition to getting the assistance of another or using a mechanical life, nurses should follow these principles of safe patient handling and body mechanics.
If your facility requires the use of a back support and/or you choose to use it, please understand that these back supports are useful, however, they will not protect you unless you also use good body mechanics. There are a number of assistive devices that can be used to safely lift and transfer patients. Mechanical lifts are used mostly for patients who are obese and cannot be safely moved or transferred by two people, and also for patients who are, for one reason or another, not able to provide any help or assistance with their lifts and transfers, such as a person who is paralyzed. A gait or transfer belt is also used to assist with transfers and lifting. These wide and sturdy belts are placed around the patient's waist when they stand, transfer and ambulate. They are very often also used for physical therapy. Slide boards are particularly useful to move a patient from one flat surface to another. These boards reduce friction and, therefore, make the move easier and less irritating to the patient's skin. RELATED CONTENT:
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Alene Burke, RN, MSN Alene Burke RN, MSN is a nationally recognized nursing educator. She began her work career as an elementary school teacher in New York City and later attended Queensborough Community College for her associate degree in nursing. She worked as a registered nurse in the critical care area of a local community hospital and, at this time, she was committed to become a nursing educator. She got her bachelor’s of science in nursing with Excelsior College, a part of the New York State University and immediately upon graduation she began graduate school at Adelphi University on Long Island, New York. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Adelphi with a double masters degree in both Nursing Education and Nursing Administration and immediately began the PhD in nursing coursework at the same university. She has authored hundreds of courses for healthcare professionals including nurses, she serves as a nurse consultant for healthcare facilities and private corporations, she is also an approved provider of continuing education for nurses and other disciplines and has also served as a member of the American Nurses Association’s task force on competency and education for the nursing team members. Latest posts by Alene Burke, RN, MSN (see all) What body mechanics or techniques should be used when moving a patient?Keep your feet shoulder width apart. Keep the person (or object) as close to your body as possible. Tighten your stomach muscles. Bend knees and hips, and keep your back straight throughout the movement.
What are 4 reasons for using correct body mechanics?Proper use of body mechanics will conserve energy, reduce stress and strain on body structures, reduce the possibility of personal injury, and produce movements that are safe.
What is considered proper body mechanics quizlet?Body mechanics uses proper body alignment, balance, and movement to increase muscle productivity. Body mechanics provides many benefits for health care workers. Muscles are most productive when they are used correctly. The acts of lifting, carrying, pulling, and pushing become easier with proper body mechanics.
Which of the following actions does the nurse maintain proper body mechanics when making a bed?Feedback: When using body mechanics, the nurse should face the direction of movement and avoid twisting the body. Maintaining balance involves keeping the spine in vertical alignment, body weight close to the center of gravity, and feet spread for a broad base of support.
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