By: Jay Vincent B.

Medrano, RN
Body Mechanics
Proper Body Mechanics is using the right muscles to
do the job.
Good body mechanics start with proper posture.
Proper posture means that there is a balance
and body parts are in good alignment ( position )
Good posture allows the body to function at its best in
all activities.
Correct posture makes lifting, pulling, and pushing
easier

*10 BASIC RULES OF PROPER
BODY MECHANICS

1. Keep your back straight

2. Stay Balanced
Keep your feet separated ( 12 INCHES )
to provide a good base of support.
(see figure )


3. Bend from the hips and knees to get close
to the object. Do not bend from the waist.
(see figure )

4. Avoid lifting whenever possible. Often you can push,
pull roll an object

5. Use the strongest muscles to do the job.

6. Avoid twisting your body as you work and bend for
long periods of time. Try not to twist your body at the
waist. Pivot the whole body.





7. Hold heavy objects close to your body. When
lifting a patient, lean into the patient body,
8. Lift smoothly.

9. Always ask for help if
you feel the
patient or object is too
heavy
to move by yourself.
(see figure )
10. Plan and think through your move.
Before you begin the action, make
sure you are applying proper body
mechanics. Coordinate your movements
by telling patients or other health
workers when you are ready to move.
count 1, 2, 3 .. Lift
Hand Grips
The wrist grip
The finger grip
The through arm grip
The double wrist grip
Lifting of Patients
Nurses for their own safety should always
remember the key factor in lifting.
Head Erect
Chin tucked in
to help keep
Back straight

Back Straight
to protect joints
& ligaments

Elbows Close
to sides to use
Muscle force
Efficiently

Feet Apart
to give a stable
base


Handgrips
partners forearm firmly
Knees Bent
to control thigh and
buttock
muscle
QUESTIONS???


EVERY BODY SYSTEM IS
AFFECTED
CONTRACTURE
AN ABNORMAL
SHORTENING OF THE
MUSCLE DUE TO LACK
OF USE
THE MUSCLE IS FIXED
INTO POSITION, IS
DEFORMED, AND
CANNOT STRETCH.

ATROPHY
ATROPHY A DECREASE IN SIZE
OR A WASTING AWAY OF MUSCLE
TISSUE.
CAUSED BY LACK OF USE
DECUBITUS ULCER
A BREAKDOWN IN SKIN TISSUE THAT OCCURS WHEN
BLOODFLOW TO AN AREA IS INTERRUPTED
MORE DECUBITI

THE TRUNK OF THE PERSON SHOULD BE IN A
STRAIGHT LINE WHEN THE PATIENT IS LYING
DOWN
THE PATIENT IN A CHAIR SHOULD SIT UP STRAIGHT
HIS FEET SHOULD
EITHER REST ON THE
FLOOR OR ON A
STOOL
HIS LOWER BACK
SHOULD REST AGAINST
THE BACK OF THE
CHAIR
THE BACKS OF HIS KNEES
SHOULD BE SLIGHTLY AWAY
FROM THE SEAT OF
THE CHAIR
PROPER POSITIONING IN A CHAIR
Fowlers position is a semi-sitting position.
The spine is kept straight.
The head is supported with a small pillow.
The arms are supported with pillows.


The supine (dorsal recumbent) position is the
back-lying position.
The bed is flat.
The head and shoulders are supported on a pillow.
Arms and hands are at the sides.
Prone position
The person lies on the abdomen with the head
turned to one side.
The bed is flat.
Small pillows are placed under the head, abdomen,
and lower legs.
Arms are flexed at the elbows with the hands near
the head.
Lateral position (side-lying)
A pillow is under the head and neck.
The upper leg, ankle, and thigh are supported with
pillows.
Jacknife Position
A modification of prone
position
Patient hips are supported
on a pillow and the table
are flexed at 90 angle,
raising the hips and
lowering head and body


A straps used over the
thigh to prevent shearing
and sliding
The head, face,
shoulders, chest and feet
are supported by soft
pads or rolls to prevent
bony pressure
Common position for
hemorrhoidectomy or
pilonidal sinus
procedures

TURNING PATIENT FROM
SUPINE TO LATERAL
POSITION

Definition:
A process of assisting the patient to assume a
lateral position.
Purposes:
1. Promotes blood circulation.
2. Prevent deformities, contractures and
pressure sores.

ASSESSMENT:
1. Assistive devices that will be required to verify the
availability of the devices needed.
2. Hindrances to movement
3. Assistance required from other health care personnel
IMPLEMENTATION:
1. Introduce self
2. Verify the patients identity ( discreetly look at the
patients arm, check the ID band)
3. Explain the procedure to the patient and significant
others to gain their cooperation and alleviate anxiety.
4. Observe proper hand hygiene.
5. Provide for patients privacy by closing the curtain and
applying proper drapes exposing
6. Lower side rail near you, leaving the other side raised.
7. Move the patient closer to the side of the bed.
THE PERSON IS MOVED IN SEGMENTS
a) While standing on the side of the bed nearest the
patient, place the patients near arm across chest.
b) Abduct the patients far shoulder slightly from the
side of the body and externally rotate the shoulder
c) Place the patients near ankle and foot across the
far ankle and foot
d) Raise the side rail next to the patient before going
to the other side of the bed
e) Position yourself on the side of the bed toward
which the patient will turn, directly in line with the
patients waistline and as close to the bed as
possible
8. Pull or roll the patient toward you to the lateral
position
Assisting the patient to sit at the
side of the bed
Definition:
A procedure supporting the patient to assume a
sitting position before going out of bed to
prevent postural hypotension and complications
of prolonged confinement
Purposes:
1. Promotes blood circulation
2. Prevent deformities, contractures and
pressure sore
3. Assumes a sitting position on the edge of the
bed, before walking, eating or transferring.

Assessment:
The client physical abilities.
Ability to understand instructions.
Degree of comfort or discomfort when moving.
Presence of orthostatic hypotension.
You own strength and ability to move the client.


Implementation:

1-6.
7. Raise the head of the bed slowly to its highest
position
8. Lower the side rail near you, leaving the other side
raised
9. Position the patients feet and lower legs at the edge
of the bed
10. Stand beside the patients hips, and face the far
corner of the bottom of the bed.

10. Move the patient to a sitting position
QUESTIONS???

LOGROLLING A PATIENT
Definition:
Technique used to laterally move a patient
who sustained spinal injury
Purposes:
Uses to turn a patient whose body must be
kept in straight alignment at all times.
Keeps the spine in straight alignment to
avoid further injury.

Assessment:
Hindrances to movement of the patient
Consider patients height and weight
Prepare materials/ supplies:
Turning sheet
Pillows
Members of health team:
Without turning sheet, minimum of 3 members
With turning sheet, 2 members






Implementation:
1-6
1. Stand on the same side of the bed, and
assume a broad stance, with one foot ahead of
the other:
a) Place the patients arms across the chest
b) Place your arms under the patient


7. Pull the patient to the side of the bed:
8. Move to the other side of the bed, and place supportive
devices for the patient when turned

9. Roll and position the patient in proper alignment

USING A TURNING SHEET OR LIFTER
10. Stand with another nurse on the same side of the
bed. Assume a broad stance, with one foot forward, and
grasp half of the fan folded or rolled edge of the turn
sheet. On a signal, pull the patient toward both of you
11. Then, go to the other side of the bed.
Reaching over the patient, grasp the far edges of the turn
sheet, and roll the patient toward you.
11. Raise the side rails, and place the call bell within the
patients arm reach
12. Perform hand hygiene.
MOVING THE PATIENT UP IN BED
Definition:
It is assisting patient in positioning himself up in
bed.
Purposes:
1. Maintains patients body alignment and comfort
2. Prevent injury to musculoskeletal system
3. Promotes blood circulation
ASSESSMENT:
1. The patients physical abilities
2. Hindrances to movement
3. The patients degree of comfort or discomfort when
moving.
4. The patients weight .
IMPLEMENTATION:
1-5
6. Adjust the head of the bed to a flat position or
as low as the patient can tolerate
7. Raise the bed to the height of your center of
gravity
8. Lock the wheels on the bed, and raise the rail on
the side of the bed opposite you
9. Remove all pillows, then place one against the
head of the bed


10. Lower side rail near you, leaving the other side raised
up.
11. Ask the patient to flex hips and knees and to position
feet so that they can be used effectively for pushing
12. Ask the patient to grasp the head of the bed with both
hands, and pull during the move or raise the upper
part of the body on the elbows, and push with the
hands and forearms during the move
13. Position yourself appropriately:
Face the direction of the movement, and assume a broad stance
Place your near arm under the patients thighs. Push down on
the mattress with the far arm
Shift your weight to the front leg as the patient pushes with his
heels and pulls with his arms so that the patient moves toward
the head of the bed

14. Elevate the head of the bed, and provide
appropriate support devices for the patients new
position
MOVING A PATIENT WHO HAS LIMITED STRENGTH IN THE
UPPER EXTREMITIES
15. Assist the patient to flex the hips and knees as in step
11. Place the patients arm across the chest. Ask the
patient to flex the neck during the move, and keep
head off the bed surface
16. Position yourself as in step 13, and place one arm
under the clients back and shoulders and the other
arm under the patients thighs. Shift your weight, as in
step 13

TWO NURSES USING A TURN SHEET/ LIFTER
17. Both individual grasp the sheet close to the shoulders
and buttocks of the patient. Follow the method
moving clients with limited upper extremity strength,
as describe earlier
18. Assist the patient in a comfortable position
19. Raise side rail near you
20. Perform hand hygiene

TRANSFERRING PATIENT
FROM BED TO CHAIR/
WHEEL CHAIR

Definition: It is a process of assisting patient
to move from bed to chair/ wheel chair using
proper body mechanics.

Purposes:
1. Promotes movement and blood circulation.
2. Provides patients comfort during nursing care
activities.

ASSESSMENT:
1. Range of motion to determine if transfer is applicable
2. Presence of injury to determine if transfer is
applicable
3. Weakness or paralysis
4. Age and physical appearance of the patient (height,
weight and contractures)
5. Presence of contraptions
Prepare materials/supplies:
1. Transfer belt as necessary
2. Chair/ wheel chair
Safety Measures with
Wheelchairs
o ALWAYS LOCK THE BRAKES
WHEN TRANSFERRING
o CLEAN THE WHEELCHAIR ON
A REGULAR BASIS
o MOVE THE FOOTRESTS OUT
OF THE WAY WHEN
TRANSFERRING
IMPLEMENTATION:
1 5
6. Place the bed on a low position.
7. Have chair/ wheel chair in position at 45-degree angle
to the bed and to the strong side of the patient.
8. Lock the wheel chair to prevent movement during
transfer.

9. Assist patient to sitting position on side of bed.
10. Apply transfer belt or other transfer aids as necessary
11. Instruct the patient to place strong leg forward, with
weak foot back.
12. Place the patients hand on bed surface or on your
shoulder


13. Grasp transfer belt at patients side
14. Rock patient up to standing position on count of three
while straightening hips and legs and keeping knees
slightly flexed.
15. Pivot on foot farther from chair/ wheel chair


22. Flex hips and knees while lowering patient into chair/
wheel chair
23. Assess patient for proper alignment for sitting
position.
24. Praise patients progress, effort and performance.
25. After care of materials
26. Perform hand hygiene
BACK DOWN A RAMP WITH A
WHEELCHAIR
BACK INTO THE ELEVATOR SO
THE PATIENT FACES THE FRONT
TRANSFERRING PATIENT
FROM BED TO
STRETCHER/BED

Definition:
A technique used to transfer patient from
bed to stretcher because of inability to
perform the activity.








Purpose:
1. Uses to transfer weak, dependent, sedated and
related type of patients condition from bed to
stretcher.

ASSESSMENT:
1. Patients body size to determine the number of
staff needed to accomplish the transfer safely
2. The patients ability to follow instructions
3. The patients activity tolerance and level of
comfort
Prepare materials/supplies/equipment:
1. Lifter/ drawsheet
2. Stretcher
3. Body strap

Members of health team
1. Minimum of 2
IMPLEMENTATION:
1. Implement pain relief measures as prescribed by the
physician.
2. Stand by stretcher within reach to save time and
effort, prevents overreaching and facilitate transfer.
3. Introduce yourself.
4. Verify the patients identity ( discreetly look at the
patients arm, check the ID band).
5. Explain the procedure to the patient and significant
others to gain their cooperation and alleviate anxiety.
6. Observe proper hand hygiene.
7. Lower side rail near you, leaving the other side raised.
8. Provide privacy by applying proper draping.
9. Adjust the patients bed in preparation for the
transfer.

10. If the patient is unable to move/slide, loosen the
drawsheet to be used as a lifter.
11. Move the patient to the edge of the bed, and position
the stretcher parallel to the bed.
12. Lift the patient securely to the stretcher.
13. Make the patient comfortable and maintain privacy by
fixing the drapes.
14. Immediately raise the stretcher side rails and or fasten
the body straps across the patient

15. Unlock the stretcher wheels, and move the stretcher
away from the bed to the appropriate area.
16. Perform hand hygiene
TRANSFER THE PATIENT FEET FIRST
DOWN A RAMP
ENTER THE ELEVATOR HEAD
FIRST