Basic Nursing Skills Flashcards

When repositioning a client in bed, how often should position changes occur to prevent pressure injuries?

Answer: Every 2 hours

Standard practice requires repositioning bed-bound clients at least every 2 hours to relieve pressure and prevent skin breakdown.

Which position places a client flat on their back with arms at their sides?

Answer: Supine position

The supine position has the client lying flat on their back, which is used for many assessments and procedures.

Before transferring a client from bed to a wheelchair, the PCA should FIRST:

Answer: Lock the wheelchair brakes and remove the footrests

Locking the wheelchair brakes and removing footrests prevents the chair from rolling and reduces fall risk during transfers.

A client complains of dizziness when moving from a lying to a sitting position. This is most likely:

Answer: Orthostatic hypotension

Orthostatic hypotension is a drop in blood pressure upon standing or sitting up, commonly causing dizziness, and must be reported.

When using a gait belt to assist a client to walk, where should the PCA stand?

Answer: To the client's weaker side and slightly behind

Standing to the client's weaker side and slightly behind allows the PCA to support and catch the client if they begin to fall.

Heel protectors and foam wedges are used primarily to:

Answer: Prevent friction and reduce pressure on bony prominences

Heel protectors and foam wedges redistribute pressure away from bony prominences to prevent skin breakdown.

A client who has had a stroke with left-sided weakness should be assisted to dress by putting on clothing:

Answer: Left (weak) side first

When dressing a client with one-sided weakness, the affected (weak) limb is dressed first to minimize painful manipulation.