Transporting 17yr From Tub to Walker

[uthscsa2011]

Hello Fellow Nurses,

This may sound like a dumb title, but I am asking for advice on the proper positioning/transporting method of transporting a 17yr female pt from tub to walker.

The last time I practiced transporting/positioning patients was in nursing school 2 years ago in my first semester. I became a school nurse right out of BSN school and do not pick up/move/position or transport patients. This is my first job as PDN. My only concern is that this patient has CP and she is my height and size. I am a petite 23 yr old female, and hardly strong enough to pick up someone my same size out of a tub to a walker. My fear is of hurting the patient or possibly dropping her during the transport! :/ I know I sound stupid, but I would just like some positioning advice on how to safely move this patient without causing harm. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

You should have some type of lifting device. It is unsafe to try this on your own, as you have stated. I recently gave up a PDN case because the client was too big and immobile for me to handle safely.

[uthscsa2011]

Okay thank you for your response. I didn't know if I was being naive about this but it doesn't sound safe to me. A coworker just informed me there is a belt to use for assistance. Hopefully that makes it easier?? :/

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

A belt gives you a handle- no nurse should be lifting someone over 50# alone. You should have a lift device. Unless this patient just needs an ASSIST. Can you have it demonstrated how the current caregivers do it? Perhaps she sits on a shower chair, and it's just a matter of pivoting and helping her legs over the side of the tub?

[uthscsa2011]

That's what I was hoping - I orient this Saturday with a male nurse already working with the patient. I was hoping he could show me how he does it. A shower chair would be so helpful.

[PerfectlyPlump, ADN, RN]

This is not a dumb question! I ALWAYS ask about a lift with an adult-sized person. When you orient is a great time to find out if this case is within your ability. I had a pt. that age and my size who could and would help himself, and was a delightful person to work with.

A belt is for someone who can stand, bear her own wt., but may be unsteady. With the belt, you can help that person with her balance. If that person starts to go down, it could help you ease her to the floor.

[ventmommy]

If she's going to a walker, she must be able to stand and walk fairly well. I bet you are there for her safety (wet, slippery surface) and maybe to help with the upward momentum going from sitting to standing. Hopefully she has one of those shower chairs that goes across the tub wall so she can scoot across it and put her feet on the bathroom floor.

On a sidenote, I usually think of myself as pretty open-minded, but I am a little weirded out by the male nurse giving her baths, presumably alone. We had male nurses but my child was a boy.

[systoly]

are there safety rails

if so can the pt. help

does the pt ever get pt at home (exellent source for transfers)

[systoly]

On a sidenote, I usually think of myself as pretty open-minded, but I am a little weirded out by the male nurse giving her baths, presumably alone. We had male nurses but my child was a boy.

Would you be weirded out about a female nurse bathing a 17 yr old male pt.?

[systoly]

just for the record

this particular patient should be able to do

a large portion of the bath herself or at least

be taught to participate to capacity

[ventmommy]

Would you be weirded out about a female nurse bathing a 17 yr old male pt.?

In the same situation (alone)? Yes.

[uthscsa2011]

No I thought that was strange also.....I guess I will see this Saturday...if I was a mother I would not want a male nurse bathing my 17 yr daughter but that is just my preference.