The charge nurse observes a UAP bending at the waist while lifting a heavy object. What is the correct technique to prevent back injury?

• A. Bend at the knees when lifting heavy objects
• B. Twist the back as you lift
• C. Keep the back bent with straight legs
• D. Lift with the back muscles

Answer: (A)

Using proper body mechanics means loading the legs, not the back, when lifting heavy objects. The best approach is to bend at the knees and hips into a squat position, keep the spine in a neutral, tall alignment, and lift using the strength of the leg muscles (quads and glutes) while keeping the load close to the body. This distributes the effort away from the lumbar spine and reduces shear and compressive forces that can cause back injury.

Twisting while lifting increases spinal stress and should be avoided. Lifting with the back muscles or keeping the back bent with straight legs fails to engage the legs effectively and puts excessive strain on the spine, increasing the risk of injury.