CNA Skill 16

SKILL 16: POSITIONS ON THE SIDE (SUPINE TO LATERAL)

1. Introduce yourself and explain the procedure to the patient.
2. Provide privacy.
3. Perform hand hygiene
4. Position the bed flat.
5. Raise the bed height.
6. Raise the side rail on the side of the bed the patient will be facing after repositioning for safety.
7. Move to the working side of the bed, which is opposite the side rail that was raised.
8. Explain to the patient that the candidate will move them closer to the candidate before turning on the count of three.
9. From the working side of the bed count to three and move the patient towards you.
10. Instruct the patient to move their arm closest to the raised side rail away from their body. If able, the patient should grasp the side rail with the hand closest to you, reaching across their own body.
11. Raise the patient’s knee that is closest to the candidate to assist in turning.
12. Explain that the candidate will turn the patient towards the side rail on count three.
13. Count to three to turn the patient towards the raised side rail.
14. Ensure that the patient’s face never comes close to the side rail or becomes covered by the pillow.
15. Check that the patient is not lying on their bottom arm.
16. Place a pillow behind the patient’s back, ensuring they will not roll back to the supine position.
17. Move to the end of the bed and check that the patient is in correct body alignment.
18. Verify that the patient is in the middle of the bed.
19. Place a pillow between the patient’s top arm and their rib cage or the bed, ensuring the elbow is not directly on their ribs.
20. Place a pillow under the top knee, ensuring the knee is not resting directly on the other knee or the ankle is not on top of the other ankle.
21. Adjust the pillow under the patient’s head for comfort.
22. Ensure the bed is low and locked.
23. Place the call light or signaling device within reach of the patient.
24. Perform hand hygiene.