CNA Body Mechanics — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When lifting a heavy object, the CNA should:
- Bend at the waist
- Use a wide base of support and bend at the knees (Correct answer)
- Keep legs straight and arms extended
- Twist the body to position the object
Correct answer: Use a wide base of support and bend at the knees
Proper body mechanics: wide base, bend knees, keep back straight, hold object close.
Proper lifting technique requires: feet shoulder-width apart (wide base of support), bend at the knees (not the waist), tighten abdominal muscles, keep the back straight, hold the object close to the body, and use leg muscles to lift.
Question 2: The purpose of using a gait belt is:
- To keep the resident's pants up
- To provide a secure grip when transferring or ambulating a resident (Correct answer)
- To restrict the resident's movement
- To measure the resident's waist size
Correct answer: To provide a secure grip when transferring or ambulating a resident
A gait belt gives the CNA a secure handhold during transfers and walking.
A gait belt (transfer belt) is placed around the resident's waist to give the CNA a firm grip during transfers, ambulation, and repositioning. It should be snug but allow two fingers underneath. Never use it on residents with recent abdominal surgery.
Question 3: When transferring a resident from bed to wheelchair, the wheelchair should be placed:
- At the head of the bed
- At a 45-degree angle on the resident's strong side (Correct answer)
- Perpendicular to the bed
- At the foot of the bed
Correct answer: At a 45-degree angle on the resident's strong side
A 45-degree angle on the strong side allows the resident to pivot using their stronger leg.
Position the wheelchair at 45 degrees to the bed on the resident's stronger side. Lock the wheelchair brakes, remove the footrests, and have the resident pivot on their strong leg. The CNA supports from the gait belt and guides the transfer.
Question 4: To prevent back injury, the CNA should:
- Work alone to prove competence
- Get help when moving heavy residents (Correct answer)
- Rush to complete tasks faster
- Lean over the bed to reach residents
Correct answer: Get help when moving heavy residents
Getting help prevents injury — use mechanical lifts or a second person for heavy residents.
Back injuries are the most common CNA injury. Always get help for heavy or dependent residents, use mechanical lifting devices when available, keep residents close to your body, avoid twisting, and use proper body mechanics for every transfer.
Question 5: When repositioning a resident in bed, the CNA should use:
- Only their arm strength
- A draw sheet or slide board to reduce friction (Correct answer)
- No equipment needed
- The bed rails to pull the resident
Correct answer: A draw sheet or slide board to reduce friction
Draw sheets and slide boards reduce friction and the force needed to move the resident.
Draw sheets (turning sheets) placed under the resident from shoulders to hips allow repositioning with minimal friction. Two CNAs grip the rolled edges and slide the resident. This protects both the CNA's back and the resident's skin from shearing forces.
Question 6: The base of support refers to:
- The bed frame
- The area between and beneath the feet (Correct answer)
- The wheelchair seat
- The floor surface
Correct answer: The area between and beneath the feet
Base of support is the area between your feet — wider stance = more stability.
The base of support is the area bounded by the feet on the floor. A wider stance (feet shoulder-width apart) provides a larger base of support and greater stability. One foot slightly ahead of the other provides additional stability during lifting.
Question 7: When pushing a wheelchair up a ramp, the CNA should:
- Walk backward pulling the wheelchair
- Push forward, leaning slightly forward (Correct answer)
- Let the resident push themselves
- Go as fast as possible
Correct answer: Push forward, leaning slightly forward
Push forward up the ramp, using leg muscles and leaning slightly forward for momentum.
Push the wheelchair forward up the ramp, using your leg muscles for power. Lean slightly forward for balance. Going down a ramp, turn the wheelchair around and back down, so the large rear wheels lead — this gives you more control and prevents tipping forward.
Question 8: Ergonomics in nursing care means:
- Working faster to save time
- Adapting the work environment to prevent injury (Correct answer)
- Using the strongest muscles only
- Avoiding all physical tasks
Correct answer: Adapting the work environment to prevent injury
Ergonomics adjusts the workplace to fit the worker, reducing injury risk.
Ergonomics involves adjusting bed heights, using mechanical lifts, proper positioning of equipment, and organizing work to reduce repetitive strain, awkward postures, and excessive force — the main causes of musculoskeletal injuries in healthcare.
Question 9: The logroll technique is used when:
- The resident wants to sleep on their side
- The resident has a spinal injury and must be turned as a unit (Correct answer)
- The CNA wants to save time
- Only during bed-making
Correct answer: The resident has a spinal injury and must be turned as a unit
Logrolling keeps the spine aligned during turning for residents with spinal injuries.
Logrolling turns the resident as a single unit (head, shoulders, and hips move together) to maintain spinal alignment. It requires a minimum of 2-3 staff. It's essential for residents with confirmed or suspected spinal injuries, after back surgery, or with hip replacements.
Question 10: The center of gravity in the human body is located at:
- The head
- The pelvis/lower abdomen area (Correct answer)
- The feet
- The chest
Correct answer: The pelvis/lower abdomen area
The body's center of gravity is in the pelvic/lower abdominal area.
The center of gravity is located in the pelvis, approximately at the level of the second sacral vertebra (about 2 inches below the navel). Keeping this center of gravity low (by bending knees) and over the base of support improves stability during lifting.
Question 11: When a resident begins to fall during ambulation, the CNA should:
- Try to catch and hold them upright
- Guide them gently to the floor while protecting the head (Correct answer)
- Let go to avoid personal injury
- Call for help before doing anything
Correct answer: Guide them gently to the floor while protecting the head
Guide the falling resident to the floor gently while protecting their head from impact.
If a resident begins to fall, the CNA should: brace their body against the resident, bend your knees to lower your center of gravity, ease the resident down to the floor while protecting their head, and call for help. Never try to fully catch a falling resident — this causes injuries to both parties.
Question 12: Mechanical lifting devices should be used when:
- Only when a supervisor is present
- The resident weighs more than the CNA can safely lift (Correct answer)
- Only during night shift
- Never — manual lifting is always preferred
Correct answer: The resident weighs more than the CNA can safely lift
Use mechanical lifts whenever the resident is too heavy or dependent for safe manual transfer.
Mechanical lifts (Hoyer lifts, sit-to-stand lifts, ceiling lifts) should be used for dependent residents, those who can't bear weight, or when the lift exceeds safe manual handling limits. Many facilities have 'no manual lift' policies to prevent staff injuries.
