Figure 2-9. Raising head and shoulders.
d. Moving a Patient to the Side of The Bed. A patient is easier to move or lift
when he is close to the side of the bed since the medical worker can be closer to the
patient's center of gravity. Consequently, other procedures require less strain. When
working alone move the upper and lower parts of the body separately. To move his
upper body, slide one arm under his head and shoulders and one arm under his back;
then slide his upper body toward you. To move his lower body, slide one arm under his
hips and one under his thighs, and then slide his lower body toward you. Realign his
shoulders, hips, and legs.
e. Turning a Patient on His Side. When working alone, always turn the patient
toward you. Stand on the side of the bed toward which the patient is to be turned. Flex
his knees toward you. Place one hand on his far shoulder and the other on his far hip.
Bracing your body against the side of the bed, gently roll the patient toward you. Now
go to the opposite side of the bed. Slide your arms under the patient's hips and draw
his hips toward you, toward the center of the bed. Flex his upper leg forward on his
extended lower leg to prevent him from rolling backward. Check his shoulder
alignment. His lower arm should be in front of his chest or extended along his back, but
not caught under his body (figure 2-10). Return to the original side of the bed. Arrange
the pillow to support his head. Use two additional pillows to support his upper arm and
upper leg and to maintain shoulder and hip alignment.
MD0556
2-10