Patient care basics

Knock before entering, introduce yourself, and explain what you are about to do. Close curtains or doors when helping someone wash or change.

• check_circleAsk for help with heavy or weak patients.
• check_circleBend your knees, not your back.
• check_circleLock wheelchair and bed wheels before moving a patient.

Tell the nurse at once if a patient has trouble breathing, chest pain, a fall, sudden confusion or bleeding. Note what you saw and when.