When lifting or moving a patient, which action best minimizes your risk of injury?

When lifting or moving a patient, which action best minimizes your risk of injury?

• A. Bend at the waist to reach low.
• B. Lift with your back to shift weight.
• C. Keep the weight as close to your body as possible.
• D. Twist your torso during the lift.

Answer: (C)

Keeping the weight close to your body minimizes the lever arm your spine has to handle and helps you stay within your center of gravity, so you can use your leg muscles to lift rather than straining the back. This position makes the lift more controlled, maintains balance, and reduces the risk of sudden shifts that could injure you or the patient. Bending at the waist, lifting with the back, or twisting during the lift increases spinal stress and destabilizes the load, making injury more likely.

Keeping the weight close to your body minimizes the lever arm your spine has to handle and helps you stay within your center of gravity, so you can use your leg muscles to lift rather than straining the back. This position makes the lift more controlled, maintains balance, and reduces the risk of sudden shifts that could injure you or the patient. Bending at the waist, lifting with the back, or twisting during the lift increases spinal stress and destabilizes the load, making injury more likely.