A nurse plans care for a client with Cushing's disease. Which action should the nurse include in the plan of care to prevent injury?

A nurse plans care for a client with Cushing's disease. Which action should the nurse include in the plan of care to prevent injury?

• A. Pad the side rails of the client's bed.
• B. Assist the client to change positions slowly.
• C. Use a lift sheet to change the client's position.
• D. Keep suctioning equipment at the client's bedside.

Answer: (C)

When a client has Cushing’s disease, the risk of injury is higher because excess cortisol leads to osteoporosis and muscle weakness. Moving and turning such a patient safely is key to preventing fractures and skin injuries. A lift sheet allows the nurse to reposition the patient with minimal friction and shear, keeping the spine and joints aligned and reducing the risk of skin tears or bone injury during transfers. Other options don’t specifically address safe repositioning with fragile bones and fragile skin: padding side rails offers some fall protection but doesn’t facilitate safe movement; changing positions slowly helps with dizziness but doesn’t prevent injury from movement-related shear or fractures; keeping suction equipment at the bedside is about airway care, not movement safety. Therefore, using a lift sheet during position changes is the most protective approach.

When a client has Cushing’s disease, the risk of injury is higher because excess cortisol leads to osteoporosis and muscle weakness. Moving and turning such a patient safely is key to preventing fractures and skin injuries. A lift sheet allows the nurse to reposition the patient with minimal friction and shear, keeping the spine and joints aligned and reducing the risk of skin tears or bone injury during transfers. Other options don’t specifically address safe repositioning with fragile bones and fragile skin: padding side rails offers some fall protection but doesn’t facilitate safe movement; changing positions slowly helps with dizziness but doesn’t prevent injury from movement-related shear or fractures; keeping suction equipment at the bedside is about airway care, not movement safety. Therefore, using a lift sheet during position changes is the most protective approach.