What action should you take if a patient shows distress signals during movement?

What action should you take if a patient shows distress signals during movement?

• A. Stop the transfer and assess the patient; call for help if needed.
• B. Ignore and continue.
• C. Continue; distress signals are normal.
• D. Only wait until the end to check.

Answer: (A)

When a patient shows distress during movement, safety comes first. Stop the transfer immediately and assess the patient’s condition. Check for signs that something isn’t tolerable or is worsening—breathing effort, pulse, skin color, level of pain or anxiety, dizziness, or chest discomfort—and make sure the patient is supported and the environment is safe. If the distress continues or you can’t determine the cause or ensure safety, call for help and follow the facility’s protocol. Ignoring the distress or continuing as if nothing is wrong can mask a growing problem and risk injury, while waiting until the end to check delays critical information needed to keep the patient safe.

When a patient shows distress during movement, safety comes first. Stop the transfer immediately and assess the patient’s condition. Check for signs that something isn’t tolerable or is worsening—breathing effort, pulse, skin color, level of pain or anxiety, dizziness, or chest discomfort—and make sure the patient is supported and the environment is safe. If the distress continues or you can’t determine the cause or ensure safety, call for help and follow the facility’s protocol.

Ignoring the distress or continuing as if nothing is wrong can mask a growing problem and risk injury, while waiting until the end to check delays critical information needed to keep the patient safe.