The nurse in charge is transferring a patient from the bed to a chair. Which action does the nurse take during this patient transfer?
A. Position the head of the bed flat.
B. Helps the patient dangle the legs.
C. Stands behind the patient.
D. Place the chair facing away from the bed.
Correct Answer: B. Helps the patient dangle the legs
After placing the patient in High Fowler’s position and moving the patient to the side of the bed, the nurse helps the patient sit on the edge of the bed and dangle the legs; the nurse then faces the patient and places the chair next to and facing the head of the bed.
Option A: Allow the patient to sit for a few moments, in case the patient feels dizzy when first sitting up. To get the patient into a seated position, roll the patient onto the same side as the wheelchair.
Option C: The nurse should put one arm under the patient’s shoulders and one behind the knees. Bend the knees. Swing the patient’s feet off the edge of the bed and use the momentum to help the patient into a sitting position.
Option D: Move the patient to the edge of the bed and lower the bed so the patient’s feet are touching the ground. Make sure any loose rugs are out of the way to prevent slipping. You may want to put non-skid socks or shoes on the patient’s feet if the patient needs to step onto a slippery surface.