UNAR Basic Patient Care Techniques 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When transferring a patient from bed to wheelchair, where should the wheelchair be placed?
- Directly in front of the bed, facing the patient
- On the patient's stronger side at a 45-degree angle to the bed (Correct answer)
- On the patient's weaker side to encourage strength
- At the foot of the bed, perpendicular to it
Correct answer: On the patient's stronger side at a 45-degree angle to the bed
Placing the wheelchair on the patient's stronger side at a 45-degree angle allows them to pivot using their stronger limbs, improving safety and reducing fall risk.
Question 2: A patient begins to fall while ambulating in the hallway. The nursing assistant should:
- Try to hold the patient upright and call for help
- Lower the patient gently to the floor while protecting their head (Correct answer)
- Step aside quickly so the patient does not knock into you
- Pull the patient upright by their arm immediately
Correct answer: Lower the patient gently to the floor while protecting their head
The safest response is to guide the patient to the floor in a controlled manner, protecting their head, rather than trying to prevent the fall which could injure both patient and aide.
Question 3: A gait belt should be placed:
- Around the patient's chest under the arms
- Around the patient's waist over their clothing (Correct answer)
- Around the patient's hips below the waist
- Directly against the patient's bare skin at the waist
Correct answer: Around the patient's waist over their clothing
A gait belt is placed snugly around the patient's waist over clothing, allowing the nursing assistant to maintain a firm grip during transfers and ambulation.
Question 4: How many fingers should be able to slide under a properly applied gait belt?
- One finger
- Two fingers (Correct answer)
- Three fingers
- No fingers — it should be very tight
Correct answer: Two fingers
A correctly applied gait belt allows two fingers to slide underneath, confirming it is snug enough to be functional but not so tight as to restrict breathing.
Question 5: When assisting a patient with a cane, the nursing assistant should walk:
- In front of the patient to guide them
- On the patient's weaker side (Correct answer)
- On the patient's stronger side
- Two steps behind the patient
Correct answer: On the patient's weaker side
The nursing assistant stands on the patient's weaker side to provide support where the patient is most vulnerable to losing balance.
Question 6: Before ambulating a patient for the first time after a period of bed rest, the nursing assistant should:
- Have the patient stand immediately to assess strength
- Dangle the patient at the edge of the bed first and assess for dizziness (Correct answer)
- Ambulate the patient only after their meal for energy
- Check if the patient can walk by having them stand in the room
Correct answer: Dangle the patient at the edge of the bed first and assess for dizziness
Dangling allows the patient's blood pressure to adjust gradually to the upright position, reducing the risk of orthostatic hypotension and falls.
Question 7: When using a mechanical lift to transfer a patient, how many staff members are required?
- One nursing assistant working alone is sufficient
- At least two nursing assistants (Correct answer)
- A nurse must be present along with one aide
- Three staff members are always required
Correct answer: At least two nursing assistants
At least two staff members are required when using a mechanical lift — one to operate the lift and one to guide and stabilize the patient.
UNAR Basic Patient Care Techniques 3
When transferring a patient from bed to wheelchair, where should the wheelchair be placed?