When pulling a patient, extend your arms no more than how many inches in front of your torso?

• A. 20 to 30 inches
• B. 10 to 15 inches
• C. 5 to 10 inches
• D. 15 to 20 inches

Answer: (D)

Keeping the load close to your body is crucial for safe patient handling. When pulling a patient, extending your arms no more than about 15 to 20 inches in front of your torso minimizes the lever arm—the distance the load sits from your spine—which helps you keep a neutral spine and use your leg muscles rather than the back. This reduces spinal compression and the risk of injury while you move the patient. If you reach farther than that, the load creates more torque on your back and makes the lift harder to control; reaching too little can make it impractical to reach the patient and coordinate the movement. Remember to bend at the hips and knees, keep the back straight, and move smoothly to maintain good body mechanics.