Body Mechanics

NRS 129 -Introduction to

Nursing Skills

Copyright, 1996 Dale Carnegie &

Body Mechanics
The Efficient Use of the Body as a
Machine
Why do we need to use body Mechanics?
To avoid unnecessary strain and possible
injury
To perform everyday activities safely and
properly

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Body Alignment and

Posture
Posture: The
position of the body
or way in which it is
held.
It keeps the center
of gravity as nearly
as possible in the
same vertical line.
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Body Mechanics
Base of Support:
Generally
speaking Our Feet
serve as our base
of support

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The Ten Commandments

of Body Mechanics
Decreases Friction
The greater the surface are the greater
the friction
How can we decrease the patient
surface area?
Use patient strength rather than your
own
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The Ten Commandments

of Body Mechanics
Use patient strength rather than
your own whenever possible
Positioning is just as important when
standing as when lying in bed!

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Why is positioning
important?
Prevent contractures
stimulate circulation
promote lung expansion
Relieve pressure and joint tightness
Comfort, increase mobility
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Types of Positions
Supine or Dorsal
Side or Lateral or Sims
Prone
Fowlers or High Fowlers
Orthopneic; Dorsal Recumbent
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Assistive Devices
for Positioning, Transfers,
Ambulation
Footboards

Trochanter rolls
Pillows
Hoyer Lift
Gait belt
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Transfer Techniques
Use Gaitbelts (5 Exceptions to their use)
Lock Wheels of bed and Wheelchair
Plan exactly what to do
Make Sure Patient understands
Use the Hoyer Lift if necessary!
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Use of A Wheelchair
Be Sure to inspect for defects before
using
Put the Foot rests up.
Lock the bed and the wheelchair
If paralyzed, position chair on
patients unaffected side!
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Crutch Walking
Proper Measurement of Crutches
Proper position of Handgrips
Rubber tips must be in good shape
Patient need adequate muscle
strength of upper extremity
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Types of Gaits with

Crutches
Three-point
Four-point
Two-point
Swing through gait
Lofstrand Crutches
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Types of Range of Motion

Active Range Of
Motion
Passive Range Of
Motion
Active Assistive
Range of Motion
(We assist patient)
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Range of Motion Exercises

Need to have a Doctors order
Never go beyond point of resistance or
pain
Use GOOD Body mechanics
Tell patient why and how
Stop or pause at end of every motion
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Range of Motion Exercises

Slow, smooth, gentle, rhythmic
movements
Wait if there are muscle spasms
Let patient help with motion if he can
Keep pts body in normal alignment
Teach patient how to do affected side
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Sequence for Range of

Motion
Begin with the Head and neck

Then do Bilateral upper extremities

(Shoulder, Elbow, wrist, fingers, thumb)
Bilateral lower extremities (Hip, knee, ankle,
toes)
Need to do 2-5 repetitions for each joint
At least once a shift
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Exercises to enhance
Mobility
Quadricep drills: Contract and relax
front of thigh several seconds at a time
Buttock muscles contraction
Bed push-ups, when sitting lift hips off
bed by pushing hands into mattress
Dangling: Feet over side of bed
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Terms to Remember
Atelectasis

Disuse Syndrome

Atony

Embolism

Atrophy
Contracture

Hypostatic
Pneumonia

Dangling

Isometric Exercise

Distal

Osteoporosis

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Discussion Questions
Name 3 Activities your patient
should be able to do before he can
walk.
*
*
*
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Discussion Questions
T or F Frequent position changes are
important in relation to responsible
care of an immobile person.

T or F If an individual is able, teach

them PROM.
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Discussion Questions
T or F The muscular system may
become affected with 1-2 days of
disuse.

T or F When teaching standing

transfers the move should be toward
the direction of weakness.
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Discussion Questions
Which joints can stiffen if you place
a pillow under a patients knee
when they are in bed?

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