Which movement should be avoided to reduce risk of injury during patient handling?

Which movement should be avoided to reduce risk of injury during patient handling?

• A. Lifting with the legs.
• B. Keeping the weight far from the body.
• C. Twisting the spine.
• D. Bending the knees.

Answer: (C)

Twisting the spine should be avoided during patient handling because it disrupts the spine’s neutral alignment and places torsional stress on the back. When you twist, the load isn’t aligned with the hips and legs, increasing strain on muscles, ligaments, and intervertebral discs and raising the risk of strains or more serious injuries. The safer approach is to keep the spine straight and rotate by turning the whole body—move the feet to pivot instead of twisting the torso—while keeping the patient close to your center of gravity. Use the legs to lift or lower, maintain a stable base, and enlist help or mechanical aids when needed. This keeps the back in a safer position and lowers injury risk.

Twisting the spine should be avoided during patient handling because it disrupts the spine’s neutral alignment and places torsional stress on the back. When you twist, the load isn’t aligned with the hips and legs, increasing strain on muscles, ligaments, and intervertebral discs and raising the risk of strains or more serious injuries. The safer approach is to keep the spine straight and rotate by turning the whole body—move the feet to pivot instead of twisting the torso—while keeping the patient close to your center of gravity. Use the legs to lift or lower, maintain a stable base, and enlist help or mechanical aids when needed. This keeps the back in a safer position and lowers injury risk.