NURS 3125 MED COMBAT FIELD SKILLS EXAM STUDY
GUIDE 2022/2023
Module 1 - Patient Movement
Introduction
Body mechanics is defined as the efficient use of the body to
facilitate lifting and moving.
Proper posture and body mechanics can help to protect your
body, especially your back, from pain and injury. Back pain is
usually the result of a number of factors in which poor posture
and faulty body mechanics are generally involved.
When the principles and guidelines of body mechanics are
practiced, the results are safe movements for both the patient
and the Hospital Corpsman.
Proper Body Mechanics
The principles and guidelines for using proper body mechanics
include: Use the longest and strongest muscles of the arms and
legs.
Use of these muscles provides the greatest strength and potential
for performing work. When lifting a heavy load, center it over
your feet.
Such positioning creates a base of support.
Keep the weight as close to your body as possible.
Doing so increases balance.
Bend your knees and keep your back straight when lifting an
object rather than bending over from the waist with straight
knees.
Bending your knees prepares the spine to accept the weight of
the load. Contract the abdominal muscles and make a long
midriff.
This action protects the muscles of the abdomen and pelvis and
prevents strain and injury to the abdominal wall. When lifting
with one hand, do not compensate.
Avoid leaning to either side. Keep your back straight. The feet
should be on a firm, level surface and positioned shoulder-width
apart for a broad base of support.
,NURS 3125 MED COMBAT FIELD SKILLS EXAM STUDY
GUIDE 2022/2023
This stance lowers the center of gravity, which promotes stability.
Avoid twisting and stretching muscles during work. Twisting can
strain muscles because the line of gravity is outside the body's
base of support.
Push, pull, or roll objects whenever possible rather than lifting them.
Lifting requires more energy. Use your body weight as a lever
when pushing or pulling an object; this action can reduce muscle
strain.
Rest between periods of exertion. Resting promotes work endurance.
Because of patient location or circumstances, there are times
when the patient has to be reached for, pushed, or pulled.
The guidelines for reaching
include: Keep back in a locked-
in position.
Avoid twisting while reaching.
Avoid reaching more than 15 to 20 inches in front of
your body. Avoid prolonged reaching when strenuous
effort is required.
Guidelines for pushing or pulling
include: Push, rather than pull,
whenever possible. Keep your back in
a locked-in position.
Keep the line of pull through the center of your body by
bending your knees.
If the weight is below waist level, push or pull from a kneeling
position. Avoid pushing or pulling overhead.
Keep your elbows bent with arms close to your sides.
When to Move a Patient
,NURS 3125 MED COMBAT FIELD SKILLS EXAM STUDY
GUIDE 2022/2023
There are three conditions that determine when and how you
move a patient:
The Scene is Hazardous
Care Requires Repositioning
, NURS 3125 MED COMBAT FIELD SKILLS EXAM STUDY
GUIDE 2022/2023
You Must Reach Other
Patients The Scene is
Hazardous
Hazards may make it necessary to move a patient quickly in
order to protect you and the patient.
A hazardous scene can exist when there is uncontrolled traffic,
fire or threat of fire, possible explosions, electrical hazards, toxic
gases, or radiation.
Care Requires Repositioning
You may have to move a patient to a hard, flat surface to provide
CPR, or you may have to move a patient to reach life-threatening
bleeding.
Other situations that warrant moving or repositioning a patient
can include an altered mental status, inadequate respirations,
and shock.
You Must Reach Other Patients
When there are other patients at the scene requiring care for life-
threatening problems, you may have to move an injured person
to gain access to the patient with life-threatening conditions.
Types of Moves
Once you have evaluated the hazards, any life-threatening
injuries, and whether you need to reach other patients, you are
responsible for determining which type of move is most
appropriate for the situation.
You may need to use one of the following types of moves:
Emergency Moves
Urgent Move Conditions
Non-urgent Patient Moves
GUIDE 2022/2023
Module 1 - Patient Movement
Introduction
Body mechanics is defined as the efficient use of the body to
facilitate lifting and moving.
Proper posture and body mechanics can help to protect your
body, especially your back, from pain and injury. Back pain is
usually the result of a number of factors in which poor posture
and faulty body mechanics are generally involved.
When the principles and guidelines of body mechanics are
practiced, the results are safe movements for both the patient
and the Hospital Corpsman.
Proper Body Mechanics
The principles and guidelines for using proper body mechanics
include: Use the longest and strongest muscles of the arms and
legs.
Use of these muscles provides the greatest strength and potential
for performing work. When lifting a heavy load, center it over
your feet.
Such positioning creates a base of support.
Keep the weight as close to your body as possible.
Doing so increases balance.
Bend your knees and keep your back straight when lifting an
object rather than bending over from the waist with straight
knees.
Bending your knees prepares the spine to accept the weight of
the load. Contract the abdominal muscles and make a long
midriff.
This action protects the muscles of the abdomen and pelvis and
prevents strain and injury to the abdominal wall. When lifting
with one hand, do not compensate.
Avoid leaning to either side. Keep your back straight. The feet
should be on a firm, level surface and positioned shoulder-width
apart for a broad base of support.
,NURS 3125 MED COMBAT FIELD SKILLS EXAM STUDY
GUIDE 2022/2023
This stance lowers the center of gravity, which promotes stability.
Avoid twisting and stretching muscles during work. Twisting can
strain muscles because the line of gravity is outside the body's
base of support.
Push, pull, or roll objects whenever possible rather than lifting them.
Lifting requires more energy. Use your body weight as a lever
when pushing or pulling an object; this action can reduce muscle
strain.
Rest between periods of exertion. Resting promotes work endurance.
Because of patient location or circumstances, there are times
when the patient has to be reached for, pushed, or pulled.
The guidelines for reaching
include: Keep back in a locked-
in position.
Avoid twisting while reaching.
Avoid reaching more than 15 to 20 inches in front of
your body. Avoid prolonged reaching when strenuous
effort is required.
Guidelines for pushing or pulling
include: Push, rather than pull,
whenever possible. Keep your back in
a locked-in position.
Keep the line of pull through the center of your body by
bending your knees.
If the weight is below waist level, push or pull from a kneeling
position. Avoid pushing or pulling overhead.
Keep your elbows bent with arms close to your sides.
When to Move a Patient
,NURS 3125 MED COMBAT FIELD SKILLS EXAM STUDY
GUIDE 2022/2023
There are three conditions that determine when and how you
move a patient:
The Scene is Hazardous
Care Requires Repositioning
, NURS 3125 MED COMBAT FIELD SKILLS EXAM STUDY
GUIDE 2022/2023
You Must Reach Other
Patients The Scene is
Hazardous
Hazards may make it necessary to move a patient quickly in
order to protect you and the patient.
A hazardous scene can exist when there is uncontrolled traffic,
fire or threat of fire, possible explosions, electrical hazards, toxic
gases, or radiation.
Care Requires Repositioning
You may have to move a patient to a hard, flat surface to provide
CPR, or you may have to move a patient to reach life-threatening
bleeding.
Other situations that warrant moving or repositioning a patient
can include an altered mental status, inadequate respirations,
and shock.
You Must Reach Other Patients
When there are other patients at the scene requiring care for life-
threatening problems, you may have to move an injured person
to gain access to the patient with life-threatening conditions.
Types of Moves
Once you have evaluated the hazards, any life-threatening
injuries, and whether you need to reach other patients, you are
responsible for determining which type of move is most
appropriate for the situation.
You may need to use one of the following types of moves:
Emergency Moves
Urgent Move Conditions
Non-urgent Patient Moves
