A nurse is caring for a client who has right-sided hemiplegia following a stroke. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to assist the client from the bed to a wheelchair?

Clients who have experienced a stroke with right-sided hemiplegia have unilateral weakness and impaired motor control on the affected side. Safe transfer techniques are essential to prevent falls, injury, and caregiver strain. Proper positioning of assistive devices and use of the unaffected side improve stability during transfers. Nursing care focuses on promoting safety, maintaining body alignment, and encouraging as much client participation as possible. Rationale: A. Asking the client to reach around the nurse’s neck for support is unsafe because it places excessive strain on the nurse and does not provide stable support for the client. This technique increases the risk of injury to both the nurse and the client and does not follow proper transfer mechanics. B. Placing the wheelchair on the left side of the client is correct because the left side is the unaffected side in right-sided hemiplegia. This allows the client to pivot and transfer using their stronger side, improving balance and reducing the risk of falls. Proper positioning of the wheelchair also ensures a safer and more controlled transfer process. C. Pivoting the client on the foot closest to the chair is incorrect because the pivot should occur on the client’s stronger, unaffected side. In right-sided hemiplegia, the right side is weak, so weight-bearing and pivoting should be supported through the left side. Incorrect pivoting increases instability and fall risk. D. Reaching under the client’s arms to pull them up is unsafe because it can cause shoulder injury, including subluxation or nerve damage, especially in stroke clients with flaccid limbs. This technique also does not promote proper body mechanics for the nurse or controlled movement for the client. Safe transfers require use of transfer belts or assistive devices rather than lifting under the arms.