Patient Mobility & Transfers Flashcards
7 cards from real PCA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Patient Mobility & Transfers flashcards as text
Before ambulating a patient who has been on bed rest for several days, the PCA should first:
Answer: Dangle the patient at the edge of the bed to check for dizziness before standing
Dangling the legs at the bedside before standing allows blood pressure to adjust and helps detect orthostatic hypotension before a full weight-bearing transfer.
A resident grabs the PCA's neck or arm during a transfer attempt. The PCA should:
Answer: Stop the transfer, gently reposition the patient's hands to the bedrail or armrest, then restart
A patient grabbing the caregiver's neck is a safety hazard; the PCA must stop, safely redirect the patient's hands, and restart the transfer with proper holds.
When assisting a patient to ambulate with a standard walker, the patient's arms should be:
Answer: Slightly flexed at the elbows, approximately 15–30 degrees, while gripping the walker
A slight elbow flexion of 15–30 degrees allows for efficient weight bearing through the arms and reduces strain on the shoulders and wrists.
Which of the following actions could put the PCA at risk for a back injury during patient transfers?
Answer: Bending at the waist with the back rounded while lifting
Bending at the waist while rounding the back puts extreme stress on the lumbar vertebrae and discs, greatly increasing the risk of injury.
A PCA finds a patient on the floor and is unsure if they fell or lowered themselves. The first action is to:
Answer: Call for the nurse or supervisor and do not move the patient until evaluated
After a suspected fall, the patient must be assessed for injury by a nurse before being moved, as moving them prematurely could worsen a fracture or spinal injury.
Which footwear is safest for a patient during ambulation?
Answer: Non-skid, properly fitted shoes or footwear with secure closures
Non-skid, properly fitted footwear with secure closures provides traction and ankle support, significantly reducing fall risk during ambulation.
When transferring a patient from a wheelchair to a car seat, the MOST important safety step is to:
Answer: Ensure the wheelchair is locked and the car door is fully open before beginning
Locking the wheelchair brakes and fully opening the car door creates a safe, stable starting point that prevents the chair from rolling and gives maximum transfer space.