Question

when moving a client up in bed with the assistance of another caregiver, the nurse should:

have the client fold the arms across the chest.
maintain a pillow under the clients head.
ask another nurse about the plan of care.
elevate the head of the bed.

Explanation:

Analyze the mechanics of moving a client up in bed

When preparing to move a client up in bed with the assistance of another caregiver, the primary goals are to ensure client safety, prevent friction/shear injury to the client's skin, and protect the caregivers from musculoskeletal strain.

Evaluate the client's arm positioning

Having the client fold their arms across their chest is a standard safety measure. This prevents the client's arms from flailing, dragging along the mattress, or getting caught during the move, thereby reducing friction and protecting the upper extremities.

Evaluate the remaining options

• Maintain a pillow under the client's head: The pillow should actually be removed from under the head and placed against the headboard to prevent the client's head from hitting the headboard during the upward movement.
• Ask another nurse about the plan of care: While communication is important, this is not a direct physical action required during the execution of the transfer procedure itself.
• Elevate the head of the bed: The bed should be placed in a flat (supine) or Trendelenburg position (if tolerated and not contraindicated) to utilize gravity and minimize the physical effort required to move the client upward. Elevating the head of the bed would make moving the client upward much more difficult due to gravity.

Select the correct intervention

Using the Patient Positioning knowledge point, the nurse must prepare the client physically for the transfer. Folding the arms across the chest is the correct, safe, and standard preparatory action.

Answer:

• have the client fold the arms across the chest. (Correct answer)
• maintain a pillow under the client's head.
• ask another nurse about the plan of care.
• elevate the head of the bed.