Chapter 16

Copyright © 2011, 2007, 2003, 1999 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.

Chapter 16Chapter 16

Body MechanicsBody Mechanics


Body MechanicsBody Mechanics

Body mechanics means using the body in an Body mechanics means using the body in an efficient and careful way.efficient and careful way. It involves:It involves:

• Good postureGood posture

• BalanceBalance

• Using your strongest and largest muscles for workUsing your strongest and largest muscles for work

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Principles of Body MechanicsPrinciples of Body Mechanics

Body alignment (posture) is the way the Body alignment (posture) is the way the head, trunk, arms, and legs are aligned with head, trunk, arms, and legs are aligned with one another.one another.

Base of support is the area on which an Base of support is the area on which an object rests.object rests. A good base of support is needed for balance.A good base of support is needed for balance.

Use the muscles in your shoulders, upper Use the muscles in your shoulders, upper arms, hips, and thighs to lift and move arms, hips, and thighs to lift and move residents and heavy objects.residents and heavy objects.

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For good body mechanics:For good body mechanics: Bend your knees and squat to lift a heavy object.Bend your knees and squat to lift a heavy object. Do not bend from the waist; it causes strain on Do not bend from the waist; it causes strain on

small back muscles.small back muscles. Hold items close to your body and base of Hold items close to your body and base of

support.support. All activities require good body mechanics.All activities require good body mechanics.

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ErgonomicsErgonomics

Ergonomics is the science of designing the job to fit the Ergonomics is the science of designing the job to fit the worker.worker. The goal is to eliminate a serious and disabling work-related The goal is to eliminate a serious and disabling work-related

musculoskeletal disorder (MSD).musculoskeletal disorder (MSD). MSDs are injuries and disorders of the muscles, tendons, MSDs are injuries and disorders of the muscles, tendons,

ligaments, joints, and cartilage.ligaments, joints, and cartilage. Risk factors for MSDs in nursing centers include:Risk factors for MSDs in nursing centers include:

ForceForce Repeating actionRepeating action Awkward posturesAwkward postures

MSDs are workplace health hazards.MSDs are workplace health hazards. Always report a work-related injury as soon as possible.Always report a work-related injury as soon as possible.

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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has identified risk factors for MSDs in nursing (OSHA) has identified risk factors for MSDs in nursing team members.team members.

The risk of an MSD increases if risk factors are combined.The risk of an MSD increases if risk factors are combined. Risk factors:Risk factors:

Force: the amount of physical effort needed to perform a taskForce: the amount of physical effort needed to perform a task Repeating action: performing the same motion or series of Repeating action: performing the same motion or series of

motions continually or frequentlymotions continually or frequently Awkward postures: assuming positions that place stress on the Awkward postures: assuming positions that place stress on the

bodybody Heavy lifting: manually lifting residents who cannot move Heavy lifting: manually lifting residents who cannot move

themselvesthemselves

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Back injuries:Back injuries: Are a major threatAre a major threat Can occur from repeated activities or from one Can occur from repeated activities or from one

eventevent Signs and symptoms of back injuries include:Signs and symptoms of back injuries include:

Pain when trying to assume a normal posturePain when trying to assume a normal posture Decreased mobilityDecreased mobility Pain when standing or rising from a seated Pain when standing or rising from a seated

positionposition

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Positioning the PersonPositioning the Person

Regular position changes and good alignment:Regular position changes and good alignment: Promote comfort and well-beingPromote comfort and well-being Promote breathingPromote breathing Promote circulationPromote circulation Help prevent pressure ulcers and contracturesHelp prevent pressure ulcers and contractures

Residents may:Residents may: Move and turn when in bed or a chair without assistanceMove and turn when in bed or a chair without assistance Need reminding to adjust their positionsNeed reminding to adjust their positions Need help with position changesNeed help with position changes Depend entirely on the nursing team for position changesDepend entirely on the nursing team for position changes

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The person is repositioned at least every 2 hours.The person is repositioned at least every 2 hours. Follow these guidelines to safely position a person:Follow these guidelines to safely position a person:

Use good body mechanics.Use good body mechanics. Ask a co-worker to help you if needed.Ask a co-worker to help you if needed. Explain the procedure to the person.Explain the procedure to the person. Be gentle when moving the person.Be gentle when moving the person. Provide for privacy.Provide for privacy. Use pillows as directed by the nurse for support and alignment.Use pillows as directed by the nurse for support and alignment. Provide for comfort after positioning.Provide for comfort after positioning. Place the signal light within reach after positioning.Place the signal light within reach after positioning. Complete a safety check before leaving the room.Complete a safety check before leaving the room.

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Fowler’s position (a semi-sitting position)Fowler’s position (a semi-sitting position) The head of the bed is raised between 45 and 60 The head of the bed is raised between 45 and 60

degrees.degrees. Supine position (dorsal recumbent position)Supine position (dorsal recumbent position)

This is the back-lying position.This is the back-lying position. Prone positionProne position

The person lies on the abdomen with the head The person lies on the abdomen with the head turned to one side.turned to one side.

Lateral position (side-lying position)Lateral position (side-lying position) The person lies on one side or the other.The person lies on one side or the other.

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Sims’ position (semi-prone side position)Sims’ position (semi-prone side position) This is a left side-lying position.This is a left side-lying position.

Chair positionChair position Persons who sit in chairs must hold their upper Persons who sit in chairs must hold their upper

bodies and heads erect.bodies and heads erect. The nurse may ask you to put a small pillow The nurse may ask you to put a small pillow

between the person’s lower back and the chair. between the person’s lower back and the chair. • A pillow is not used behind the back if restraints are A pillow is not used behind the back if restraints are

used. used.

Some people require postural supports to keep Some people require postural supports to keep them in good alignment.them in good alignment.

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Quality of LifeQuality of Life

Proper body mechanics protects the person Proper body mechanics protects the person from injuries that could affect health and from injuries that could affect health and ability to function.ability to function.

Nursing centers provide care in a manner that Nursing centers provide care in a manner that maintains and improves each person’s quality maintains and improves each person’s quality of life, health, and safety.of life, health, and safety.

Let the person help as much as safely Let the person help as much as safely possible. possible. Let the person choose such things as bed Let the person choose such things as bed

positioning or where to place the chair or positioning or where to place the chair or wheelchair. wheelchair.

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Chapter 16

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