BODY MECHANICS

MS KLUTSEY ELLEN E.SONAM

UHAS

OBJECTIVESAt the end of the presentation, students should

be able to: Define body mechanics Outline the importance of body mechanics to

both the nurse and the patient Demonstrate the principles of body mechanics

during nursing activities Outline the various positions used in nursing

clients and the circumstances under which each can be use.

Mention the various types of bed used and the indications for their use

BODY MECHANICS Body mechanics is the application of

mechanical principles and knowledge of human anatomy to the action of the body parts during an activity.

It is the coordinated effort of the muscular and nervous system to ensure or maintain balance, posture and body alignment during lifting, bending, moving and performing activities of daily living . It entails adoptions of appropriate ways of moving the body in order to accomplish tasks without stress or injury.

BODY MECHANICS

Nurses’ implementation of correct body mechanics helps minimize the following:

work-related musculoskeletal injuries. Body mechanics helps protect joints and muscles from being pulled or stretched beyond their capacities while allowing them to be used for maximum effectiveness.

nurse fatigue

Client injury

BODY MECHANICS Teaching patients how to move safely especially

those with musculoskeletal disorders will contribute to the healing process.

The nurse can further promote good body mechanics by such simple measures as placing articles within easy reach of patients so that they do not twist or over-stretch in reaching out to them.

Also demonstrating correct techniques for getting in and out of bed can prevent musculoskeletal injuries

BODY MECHANICSSome principles of body mechanics are: Maintain the centre of gravity over a broad

base of support Use major muscles by bending at the knee or

squatting when lifting or reaching out to items lower than your centre of gravity. This is because the broad flat muscles of the back are weakest when stretched and flattened and so are very susceptible to injury when heavy objects are lifted.

Avoid twisting this is because it can lead to torsion of the spine lessening its ability to function effectively.

BODY MECHANICS Slide (push/pull) instead of lifting. Lifting

should be the last option to be considered to be considered.

Keep the weight to be lifted as close to the body as possible- this positions the weight of the lifted item/person and the lifter in the same plane and closer to the centre of gravity for proper balance.

BODY MECHANICS When moving heavy objects, face the direction

of the movement.

Work on a level that avoids strain on your body; e.g. raise the bed to a level that you can comfortably bath a patient without bending over.

Put on the internal abdominal girdle by tightening the stomach and tucking in the pelvis. Without this, the abdominal muscles can be weakened or torn causing its contents to herniate.

BODY MECHANICS Use a counter weight: one’s weight and that of

the object or person to be moved may be used to assist movement. Hold your body in a stable position and then rock back using your weight against the weight being lifted rather than simply using your muscular strength as a counter- balance

Avoid working against gravity as it demands more force and energy to do so.

Reduce friction: friction is a force that opposes motion and can increase the amount of effort required to move an object.

BODY MECHANICS Use aids/assistance-ask other for assistance

when needed and also use mechanical aids such as the hoist and the hydraulic lifter to avoid strain on the body.

BODY MECHANICSSome Concepts in Body Mechanics Body alignment : refers to the position of

body parts in relation to each other.

Also it refers to the position of the joint, tendons, ligaments and muscles while in sitting , standing or lying down. The body is in line with the pull of gravity and contributes with body balance.

When the body is in proper alignment it reduces strain on its parts

BODY MECHANICS Proper alignment and posture of the client

lying in bed is similar to the standing position.

BODY MECHANICS Standing alignment Head upright Face forward Shoulders squared Back straight Abdominal muscles tucked in Arms straight at side Legs straight Feet forward

BODY MECHANICS Proper alignment when sitting Head is erect Vertebrae are in alignment Body weight is evenly distributed on buttocks

and thigh Thighs are parallel and in a horizontal plane Both feet are supported on the floor and ankle

are comfortably flexed. Space is maintained between the edge of the

sit and posterior aspect of the knee Forearms are supported on arm rest or a table

BODY MECHANICS benefits of good alignment and posture Boots confidence prevents contractures promotes client’s comfort Lessens stress on muscle, tendons, nerves, and

joints promotes respiration and circulation; Prevents of foot drop (plantar flexion).

BODY MECHANICS 2. Body balance: it is achieved when the centre of gravity is balanced over a wide and a stable support. This provides support for stability of objects

3.Coordinated body movement: use of the body in coordinated manner when lifting, positioning and turning of patient.

BODY MECHANICSTransferring is a nursing skill that helps the

dependent client or client with restricted motility attain positions needed or desired safely. Mobilization plays important role in rehabilitation as physical activity:

maintains and improves joint motion Increases strength of the musculoskeletal system Promotes circulation Relieves pressure on skin (pressure points) Improves respiratory function

BODY MECHANICSEquipment needed for transfers include: Transfer belt Slide board Wheelchair Stretcher Lifts e.g. hydraulic lift.

BODY MECHANICSAssisting client to sitting position Manipulate bed to the waist level Place client on his back flat Face head of bed and remove pillows Steady self with feet slightly apart; with feet nearer

the bed behind other foot; facing bed at 45-degree angle to the head of the bed

Place hand farther from patient under his shoulders, supporting his head and cervical vertebrae

Place other hand on the bed surface Raise client to sitting position by shifting weight from

front to back leg Push against bed using arm that is placed on the bed

surface.

BODY MECHANICSAssisting client to sitting position on side of bed With client in the supine position, raise head of bed to 30

degreesTurn him onto his side to face the nurse and on the side of the

bed on which he will be sitting Nurse stands opposite client’s hips; turning diagonally so nurse

faces client and corner of foot of the bed Stand with feet apart with foot closer to head of the bed in

front of the other foot Place arm nearer head of bed under client’s shoulders,

supporting head and neck. Move client’s lower legs and feet over side of bed; pivot toward

rear leg, allowing client’s upper legs to swing downward. At the same time, shift weight to rear leg and elevate client.

BODY MECHANICS Transferring from Bed to Stretcher clients who are too weak to sit upright, those

who are unconscious, or those with injuries that prevents them from maintaining an erect position may have to lie flat during transfers.

a stretcher is therefore used to facilitate the transfer of such client.

Stretchers have several features, including side rails, safety belts/straps, and locking wheels that ensures safety.

BODY MECHANICS 1. Transferring a patient from bed to stretcher with minimal support Inform client about desired purpose and

destination.Raise the height of bed to that of Stretchers the and lock brakes of bed. Instruct client to move to side of bed close to

stretcher Lower the side rails of both bed and stretcher Stand at outer side of stretcher and push it

toward bed. Lock wheels of stretcher

BODY MECHANICS

Instruct client to move onto stretcher with assistance as needed

Cover client with sheet or bath blanket. Elevate side rails on stretcher and secure

safety belts over client. Release brakes of stretcher, Stand at head of

stretcher to guide it when pushing.

BODY MECHANICS Transferring a patient from bed to

stretcher with maximum support Inform client about desired purpose anddestination. Raise the height of bed to that of Stretchers

the and lock brakes of bed. Assess amount of assistance required for

transfer, usually two to four staff members are required for the maximum assisted transfer.

Lock wheels of bed and stretcher

BODY MECHANICS Have one nurse stand close to client’s head Logroll the client and place a lift sheet under the

client’s back, trunk, and upper legs. The lift sheet can extend under the head if client lacks head control abilities.

If urinary drainage bag is present, empty it and move it to side of bed closest to stretcher

Move client to edge of bed near stretcher. Nurse on non stretcher side of bed holds the lift

sheet across the client’s chest

BODY MECHANICS

Secure safety belts and elevate side rails of stretcher

move intravenous fluid (IVF) to stretcher after client transfer and empty all drainage bags.

Secure drainage system to client’s gown prior to transfer

BODY MECHANICS Transferring patient from bed to

chair/stretcher

BODY MECHANICS Inform client about desired purpose and

destination. Assess client’s ability to assist with the transfer and for presence of cognitive or sensory deficits. Lower the bed. Allow client to dangle feet for a few minutes. Bring wheelchair close to the side of the bed,toward the foot of the bed.

BODY MECHANICS

Lock wheelchair brakes and elevate the foot pedals.

Assist client to side of bed until feet touch the floor.

Assess client for dizziness. Remain in front of client until dizziness has subsided.

Apply gait belt if necessary.

BODY MECHANICS Reach under client’s axillae and place hands on

client’s scapulae (or grasp gait belt). Assist the client to a standing position and provide

support. Pivot client so client’s back is toward the wheelchair Instruct client to place hands on the arm supports of

the wheelchair Bend at the knees, easing the client into a sitting

position Assist client to maintain proper posture.

Secure the safety belt, place client’s feet on feet pedals, and release brakes

BODY MECHANICS Logrolling a Client Place a small pillow between client’s knees in the

supine position Cross clients arms on his chest Two nurses are positioned on the side the client is to

be turned toward and one nurse on the opposite side Fold drawsheet along the side of patient that will be

turning At the side of two nurses; one nurse grasps drawsheet

at the lower hips and thighs, and the other nurse grabs the drawsheet at patient’s shoulder and lower back

Roll the patient as one unit in a smooth, continuous motion at a signal e.g. at the count of three.

BODY MECHANICS Nurse on the opposite side tuck pillows

along the length of the patient for support Gently lean patient as unit back towards the

pillows for support. Assess the client for comfort and proper

alignment; e.g. of hands etc. Elevate side rails and lower the bed height. Wash and dry hands.NB: This procedure can be reversed to

reposition clients on their backs.

BODY MECHANICS Moving an immobile client up in bed

using the drawsheet (two nurses) A nurse should be at each side of the patient Place drawsheet under the patient, extending

from the shoulders to the thighs Place patient on his back Fold the drawsheet on both sides and hold it

near the patient on both side With feet apart in a forward-backward

stance, move client to the desired position in the bed.

QUESTIONS ?