Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills: A Nursing Process Approach

187

Copyright © 2011 by Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills:

SKILL 9-4

Transferring a Patient From the

Bed to a Chair (Continued)

Comments

10.Stand in front of the patient, and assess for any balance

problems or complaints of dizziness. Allow the patient’s

legs to dangle a few minutes before continuing.

11. Assist the patient to put on a robe, as necessary, and
    nonskid footwear.


12. Wrap the gait belt around the patient’s waist, based on
    assessed need and facility policy.


13. Stand facing the patient. Spread your feet about shoulder
    width apart and flex your hips and knees.


14. Ask the patient to slide his or her buttocks to the edge of
    the bed until the feet touch the floor. Position yourself as
    close as possible to the patient, with your foot positioned
    on the outside of the patient’s foot. If a second staff person
    is assisting, have him or her assume a similar position.


15. Encourage the patient to make use of the stand-assist
    device. If necessary, have second staff person grasp gait belt
    on opposite side. Using the gait belt, assist the patient to
    stand. Rock back and forth while counting to three. On the
    count of three, use your legs (not your back) to help raise
    the patient to a standing position. If indicated, brace your
    front knee against the patient’s weak extremity as he or she
    stands. Assess the patient’s balance and leg strength. If the
    patient is weak or unsteady, return the patient to bed.


16. Pivot on your back foot and assist the patient to turn until
    the patient feels the chair against his or her legs.


17. Ask the patient to use an arm to steady him- or herself
    on the arm of the chair while slowly lowering to a sitting
    position. Continue to brace the patient’s knees with your
    knees and hold the gait belt. Flex your hips and knees
    when helping the patient sit in the chair.


18. Assess the patient’s alignment in the chair. Remove gait
    belt, if desired. Depending on patient comfort, it could be
    left in place to use when returning to bed. Cover with a
    blanket, if needed. Make sure call bell and other necessary
    items are within easy reach.


19. Clean transfer aids per facility policy, if not indicated for
    single patient use. Remove gloves and any other PPE, if
    used. Perform hand hygiene.

ExcellentSatisfactoryNeeds Practice