What is the rationale for avoiding excessive friction and shear when repositioning?

• A. To prevent skin tears and pressure ulcers.
• B. To reduce noise
• C. To improve comfort only during transfer
• D. To avoid staining linens

Answer: (A)

Minimizing friction and shear is essential to protect the skin and underlying tissues during repositioning. Friction wears away the top layers of skin as it slides against a surface, while shear occurs when the body's weight moves but the skin stays put, pulling tissues and blood vessels and reducing blood flow to the area. Both forces increase the risk of skin tears and pressure ulcers, especially in people with fragile skin or limited mobility. Using proper technique—such as turning with coordinated movements, keeping the person on a draw sheet or lift/slide sheet, and avoiding dragging the person across the bed—helps keep the skin intact and reduces injury. The other options don’t address skin safety: reducing noise is unrelated to tissue health, improving comfort only during transfer misses ongoing skin risk, and stain-free linens don’t reflect protection of the skin.