A nurse is preparing to transfer a client who is immobile and weighs 104.3 kg (230 lb) from the bed to a stretcher. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?
Explanation & Rationale
A. Have the client roll onto a transfer board and pull the board onto the stretcher: Rolling the client onto a transfer board can be difficult and potentially dangerous, especially for an immobile client. It is safer to use a slide board with assistance to ensure the transfer. B. Move the client onto the stretcher using a slide board with the assistance of two health care workers: A slide board, along with the assistance of two health care workers, ensures a safer and more controlled transfer of the immobile client, minimizes the risk of injury to both the client and the healthcare workers. C. Apply a transfer belt to the client prior to transferring to the stretcher: A transfer belt is used for clients who are able to assist in the transfer, but it is not appropriate for immobile clients. Using a slide board with assistance is safer for transferring a client who is immobile. D. Move the client's upper body onto the stretcher first: It is important to maintain a proper and safe method by transferring the entire body at once. Moving the upper body first could result in uneven weight distribution and increase the risk of injury during the transfer.