What should you do before moving a resident in a wheelchair?

• A. Lock the wheels, remove obstacles, ensure footrests are positioned, and check that the resident is wearing a seatbelt if required.
• B. Move the resident before checking environment
• C. Ignore footrests
• D. Unlock wheels during transfer

Answer: (A)

Safety and preparation before transferring a resident in a wheelchair focus on preventing movement, clearing hazards, and securing the resident. Locking the wheels keeps the chair stationary so you can perform the transfer without the chair rolling away. Removing obstacles from the path prevents trips or sudden shifts during the move. Positioning the footrests properly protects the resident’s feet from injury and keeps them from snagging on furniture or thresholds. If a seatbelt or safety strap is required by policy or the resident’s plan, check and fasten it to provide extra stability and reduce the risk of falling. Together, these steps create a stable, controlled transfer.

Moving the resident before checking the environment can introduce unexpected movement and hazards. Ignoring the footrests risks foot injury or getting caught on things. Unlocking wheels during transfer can lead to uncontrolled movement and possible falls.