(1) Moving the mattress up. This procedure is used when the patient can
assist and raise his buttocks off the bed on signal. Stand behind the head of the bed
and grasp the mattress; give the signal; brace your forward thigh against the bed; and
slide the mattress and patient up. If the patient cannot assist, ask for help. Instruct the
assistant to stand at the opposite side of the bed and grasp the mattress. On signal,
slide the bed mattress and patient up.
(2) Moving the patient up. Pull the pillow upright; tell the patient to reach
back and grasp the bars at the head of the bed and bend his knees; slide one arm
under the patient's shoulders and the other arm under his buttocks (figure 2-8); on
signal, have the patient pull with his arms and push with his feet while you slide him
upward. When the patient cannot assist, the assistant, standing on the opposite side of
the bed, likewise slides his arms under the patient and, in unison, both shift their weight
and slide the patient up.
Figure 2-8. Moving a patient up in bed.
(3) Using a drawsheet. A drawsheet may be used to help move a helpless
patient. An assistant is needed. Loosen the sheet and roll it close to either side of the
patient's body. In unison, grasp the rolled sheet and slide the sheet and patient upward.
Then smooth the loosened sheet free of all wrinkles, tighten, and tuck it under the sides
of the mattress.
c. Assisting a Patient to Raise Head and Shoulders. This procedure is used
to remove or replace the pillow or to assist the patient into a sitting position. Stand
facing the head of the bed with one foot advanced. Slip your arm nearest the patient
under his axilla and brace this hand against the back of his shoulder. Tell him to bend
his knees to relieve strain on his abdominal muscles and to brace the hand of his
supported arm against the back of your shoulder. By linking arms, you and the patient
make use of shoulder and chest muscles to lift his body weight (figure 2-9). This linking
of arms provides mutual support. At the given signal, raise his back and shoulders by
shifting your weight from the front to the rear foot. Use your free hand to support his
head or to remove or replace the pillow.
MD0556
2-9