A patient who is uncooperative and/or has no upper body strength requires a transfer. Which option is appropriate?

• A. No weight bearing
• B. Motorized assist device
• C. 2 person assist with full body sling
• D. Use as much of their own weight as possible.

Answer: (C)

When a patient can’t participate and has little or no upper body strength, the transfer must be performed with a method that provides full support without requiring the patient’s effort. Using a full-body sling with two caregivers distributes the patient’s weight between the staff and allows for controlled, coordinated motion. This setup protects both the patient from injury and the staff from back strain, since the move is supported rather than lifted by a single person or by the patient’s own effort. It’s not appropriate to rely on as much of the patient’s weight as possible, and a setup that doesn’t involve adequate support or cooperation isn’t safe. A motorized lift can be used in some contexts, but the two-person transfer with a full-body sling is the most reliable choice when the patient cannot participate.