Before transferring, what should you do to the wheelchair and bed?

Before transferring, what should you do to the wheelchair and bed?

• A. Lock wheelchair and lock bed brakes
• B. Unlock both
• C. Move bed up
• D. Remove gait belt

Answer: (A)

Before transferring, secure the surroundings to prevent movement. Lock both the wheelchair brakes and the bed brakes. This keeps the chair from rolling and the bed from shifting as you assist the person, reducing the risk of falls or injuries during the transfer. If these brakes are left unlocked, any weight shift or small push could cause equipment to move unexpectedly. Adjusting bed height or position may be done for comfort or alignment later, but it doesn’t replace the safety of locked brakes. Removing the gait belt would remove a key safety aid, so it should remain in place during the transfer.

Before transferring, secure the surroundings to prevent movement. Lock both the wheelchair brakes and the bed brakes. This keeps the chair from rolling and the bed from shifting as you assist the person, reducing the risk of falls or injuries during the transfer. If these brakes are left unlocked, any weight shift or small push could cause equipment to move unexpectedly. Adjusting bed height or position may be done for comfort or alignment later, but it doesn’t replace the safety of locked brakes. Removing the gait belt would remove a key safety aid, so it should remain in place during the transfer.