A patient with a back injury is asking to be moved onto their right side. The patient is currently in the left side-lying position. How should the nurse safely reposition the patient?
Explanation
• Keeping the patient’s head and back aligned by repositioning in a smooth, coordinated movement describes the safe logrolling technique for a patient with a back injury. Multiple nursing personnel are required to maintain proper spine alignment while repositioning this patient.
Incorrect options:
• Placing a pillow under the patient’s neck and back before logrolling may misalign the patient’s body.
• The body of a patient with a back injury must be moved in one coordinated movement, not segment-by-segment.
• The patient should not be left in that position. Patients on bed rest should be repositioned every 2 hours.