CNA Body Mechanics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When lifting a heavy object, the CNA should:
- Bend at the waist
- Use a wide base of support and bend at the knees (Correct answer)
- Keep legs straight and arms extended
- Twist the body to position the object
Correct answer: Use a wide base of support and bend at the knees
Proper body mechanics: wide base, bend knees, keep back straight, hold object close.
Proper lifting technique requires: feet shoulder-width apart (wide base of support), bend at the knees (not the waist), tighten abdominal muscles, keep the back straight, hold the object close to the body, and use leg muscles to lift.
Question 2: The purpose of using a gait belt is:
- To keep the resident's pants up
- To provide a secure grip when transferring or ambulating a resident (Correct answer)
- To restrict the resident's movement
- To measure the resident's waist size
Correct answer: To provide a secure grip when transferring or ambulating a resident
A gait belt gives the CNA a secure handhold during transfers and walking.
A gait belt (transfer belt) is placed around the resident's waist to give the CNA a firm grip during transfers, ambulation, and repositioning. It should be snug but allow two fingers underneath. Never use it on residents with recent abdominal surgery.
Question 3: When transferring a resident from bed to wheelchair, the wheelchair should be placed:
- At the head of the bed
- At a 45-degree angle on the resident's strong side (Correct answer)
- Perpendicular to the bed
- At the foot of the bed
Correct answer: At a 45-degree angle on the resident's strong side
A 45-degree angle on the strong side allows the resident to pivot using their stronger leg.
Position the wheelchair at 45 degrees to the bed on the resident's stronger side. Lock the wheelchair brakes, remove the footrests, and have the resident pivot on their strong leg. The CNA supports from the gait belt and guides the transfer.
Question 4: To prevent back injury, the CNA should:
- Work alone to prove competence
- Get help when moving heavy residents (Correct answer)
- Rush to complete tasks faster
- Lean over the bed to reach residents
Correct answer: Get help when moving heavy residents
Getting help prevents injury — use mechanical lifts or a second person for heavy residents.
Back injuries are the most common CNA injury. Always get help for heavy or dependent residents, use mechanical lifting devices when available, keep residents close to your body, avoid twisting, and use proper body mechanics for every transfer.
Question 5: When repositioning a resident in bed, the CNA should use:
- Only their arm strength
- A draw sheet or slide board to reduce friction (Correct answer)
- No equipment needed
- The bed rails to pull the resident
Correct answer: A draw sheet or slide board to reduce friction
Draw sheets and slide boards reduce friction and the force needed to move the resident.
Draw sheets (turning sheets) placed under the resident from shoulders to hips allow repositioning with minimal friction. Two CNAs grip the rolled edges and slide the resident. This protects both the CNA's back and the resident's skin from shearing forces.
Question 6: The base of support refers to:
- The bed frame
- The area between and beneath the feet (Correct answer)
- The wheelchair seat
- The floor surface
Correct answer: The area between and beneath the feet
Base of support is the area between your feet — wider stance = more stability.
The base of support is the area bounded by the feet on the floor. A wider stance (feet shoulder-width apart) provides a larger base of support and greater stability. One foot slightly ahead of the other provides additional stability during lifting.
CNA Body Mechanics 2
When lifting a heavy object, the CNA should: