Chapter 8: Lifting and Moving Patients

Please take a moment to check your understanding of using a scoop stretcher. Write the steps you learned in the Skill Drill and then compare your answer. 4 Steps

1. Adjust the length of the stretcher. 2. Lift the patient slightly and slide the stretcher into place, one side at a time. 3. Lock the stretcher ends together, and avoid pinching either the patient or your fingers! 4. Secure the patient to the scoop stretcher and transfer it to the wheeled stretcher.

Please take a moment to check your understanding of a one-handed carry. Write the steps you learned in the Skill Drill and then compare your answer. 3 Steps

1. Face each other and use both hands. 2. Lift the backboard to carrying height. 3. Turn in the direction you will walk, and switch to using one hand.

Please take a moment to check your understanding of performing a direct ground lift. Write the steps you learned in the Skill Drill and then compare your answer. 3 Steps

1. Line up on one side of the patient, with one provider at the head, one at the waist, and one at the patient's knees. All providers should be kneeling. Place the patient's arms on his or her chest, if possible. 2. On command, lift the patient to knee level. 3. On command, roll the patient toward your chest, and then stand and carry the patient to the stretcher.

Please take a moment to check your understanding of performing the power lift. Write the steps you learned in the Skill Drill and then compare your answer. 2 Steps

1. Lock back into upright Curve. Spread and bend your legs. Grasp the backboard, palms up and just in front of you. Balance and center the weight between your arms. 2. Position your feet, straddle the object, and distribute weight. Lift by straightening your leap, keeping your back locked in.

Please take a moment to check your understanding of moving a patient with a stair chair. Write the steps you learned in the Skill Drill and then compare your answer. 2 Steps

1. Position and secure the patient on the chair with straps. Take your places at the head and foot of the chair. 2. Lower the chair to roll on landings and for transfer to the stretcher.

Please take a moment to check your understanding of performing a direct carry. Write the steps you learned in the Skill Drill and then compare your answer. 4 Steps

1. Position the stretcher parallel to the bed. Secure the stretcher to prevent movement. Face the patient while standing between the bed and the stretcher. Position your arms under the patient's neck and shoulders. Your partner should position his hands under the patient's knees. 2. Lift the patient from the bed in a smooth, coordinated fashion. 3. Slowly carry the patient to the stretcher. 4. Gently lower patient onto stretcher

Please take a moment to check your understanding of performing a diamond carry. Write the steps you learned in the Skill Drill and then compare your answer. 3 Steps

1. Position yourselves facing the patient. 2. The providers at each side turn the head-end hand palm down and release the other hand. 3. The providers at each side turn toward the foot end. The provider at the foot turns to face forwards.

Please take a moment to check your understanding of the rapid extrication technique. Write the steps you learned in the Skill Drill and then compare your answer. 8 Steps

1. She first provides in-line manual support of the head and cervical spine. 2. The second provider gives commands, applies cervical collar, performs primary assessment. 3. The second provider supports the torso. the third provider frees the patient's legs from the pedal and moves the legs together w/o moving the pelvis or spine 4. The second provider and the third provider rotate the patient as a unit in several short moves. the 1st provider supports patients head and neck during rotation. 5. The fourth provider places the back board on the seat against the patient's buttocks. 6. The third provider moves to an effective position for sliding the patient. third and second provider slides the patient along the backboard 8 to 12 inch move until patients hips rest on backboard. 7. Third provider exits the vehicle and moves to the backboard opposite the second provider as they continue to slide patient on back board. 8. First or fourth continues to stabilize the head and neck while the second and third carry patent away from vehicle onto prepared stretcher.

Please take a moment to check your understanding of moving a patient on stairs with a stretcher. Write the steps you learned in the Skill Drill and then compare your answer. 2 Steps

1. Strap the patient securely. Make sure one strap is tight across the upper torso, under the arms, and secured to the handles to prevent the patient from sliding. 2. Carry a patient downstairs with the foot end first, always keeping the head elevated.

Please take a moment to check your understanding of performing an extremity lift. Write the steps you learned in the Skill Drill and then compare your answer. 3 Steps

1. The patient's hands are crossed over the chest. Grasp the patient's wrists or forearms and pull the patient to a sitting position. 2. Your partner moves to a position between the patient's legs, facing in the same direction as the patient, and places his or her hands under the knees. 3. Rise to a crouching position. On command, lift and begin to move.

Please take a moment to check your understanding of loading a stretcher into an ambulance. Write the steps you learned in the Skill Drill and then compare your answer. 4 Steps

1. Tilt the head of the stretcher upward and place into patient compartment. 2. The second EMT on the side of the stretcher release the undercarriage lock and lifts the undercarriage. 3. Roll the stretcher into the back of the ambulance. 4. Secure the stretcher to the clamps mounted in the ambulance.

When pulling a patient, you should extend your arms no more than ________ in front of your torso.

15 to 20 inches

Which of the following conditions or situations presents the MOST unique challenge to the EMT when immobilizing an elderly patient on a long backboard?

Abnormal spinal curvature

Which of the following statements regarding an emergency patient move is correct?

An emergency move is performed before the primary assessment and treatment.

When carrying a patient down a flight of stairs on a blackboard, which person should be at the head end of the backboard?

Doug, who is 5'8" and a weightlifter

To avoid the strain of unnecessary lifting and carrying, which of the following should you use when moving a patient from the ground onto a stretcher?

Draw sheet method

A power grip involves grasping a stretcher or backboard with the hand placed palm down over the handle.

False

Lifting by extending the properly placed flexed legs is the most powerful way to lift and is called an emergency move.

False

You are transporting a 50-year-old patient who reports respiratory distress but has no other indications of other injury or illness. What is the best position in which to place this patient?

Fowler or semi-Fowler

Which of the following is the MOST appropriate device to use when immobilizing a patient with a suspected spinal injury?

Long backboard

Which of the following statements regarding patient weight distribution is correct?

The majority of a horizontal patient's weight is in the torso

Backboards are commonly used for patients who are found lying down.

True

Whenever you grasp a stretcher or backboard, your hands should be at least 10 inches (25 cm) apart.

True

In a ________ carry, one provider must walk backward.

Two-person

An EMT may injure his or her back, even if it is straight, if the

back is bent forward at the hips.

You are dispatched to a house where an 80-year-old woman has fallen in an upstairs bathroom and hit her head on the sink. When you arrive she is unconscious. Which is the best equipment to use to move her to the ambulance?

backboard

It is essential that you ____________ your equipment to prevent the spread of disease.

decontaminate

When lifting a backboard, you should use which of the following?

diamond carry

You are called to a scene where a 40-year-old man was clearing trees in a remote area and was struck by a fallen tree. When you arrive, he is conscious but the tree is laying across his lower legs, How should you remove the victim once the tree is removed?

direct lift

Upon arriving at the scene of a motor vehicle crash, you find a single patient still seated in his car. There are no scene hazards. As you approach the vehicle, you note that the patient is semiconscious and has a large laceration to his forehead. You should:

direct your partner to apply manual in-line support of the patient's head

You are responding to an accident where a 25-year-old female fell 15 feet while rock climbing. The terrain is steep and there is not much space to work. Which device should you use?

flexible stretcher

When lifting the patient, it is imperative to use which proper body mechanics?

hold your back in an upright position

You are attending to a 34-year-old male patient who requires transport to the hospital for assessment of his chronic back pain. The patient weighs over 750 pounds. Your bariatric stretcher has a wider surface area to allow for:

increased patient comfort and dignity.

In contrast to typical wheeled ambulance stretchers, features of a bariatric stretcher include

increased stability from a wider wheelbase.

The MOST serious consequence of a poorly planned or rushed patient move is:

injury to you or your patient.

To minimize the risk of injuring yourself when lifting or moving a patient, you should:

keep the weight as close to your body as possible

The proper technique for using the power grip is to:

lift with your palms up.

You are attending to a 26-year-old female who is 34 weeks pregnant with her first child. Your patient has been having lower abdominal pains and cramping for the past two hours. In placing your patient on the stretcher and preparing for transport, you should place her:

on her left side

To protect a restrained patient and prevent him from using leverage to break free, the EMT should secure __________.

one arm above the head

The scoop stretcher is also known as what?

orthopedic stretcher

When moving a conscious, weak patient down a flight of stairs, you should:

place the wheeled stretcher at the bottom of the stairs and carry the patient down the stairs with a stair chair

Which of the following is an example of an urgent move?

rapid extrication technique

The _________ is both the mechanical weight-bearing base of the spinal column and the fused central posterior section of the pelvic girdle

sacrum

You are attending to a 22-year-old female patient who has overdosed. The patient is unresponsive in an upstairs bedroom. The most appropriate way to bring the patient downstairs is:

secured to a fracture board with the strongest provider at the head end.

As you and your partner are carrying a stable patient down a flight of stairs in a stair chair, you feel a sudden, sharp pain in your lower back. You should:

stop the move and request additional lifting assistance.

To facilitate a safe and coordinated move, the team leader should:

use preparatory commands to initiate any moves