What is the recommended approach to movement of a patient on a wheeled stretcher during turbulence?

• A. Unplug all equipment and proceed with normal movement.
• B. Secure all equipment, lock wheels, minimize unnecessary movement, and communicate impending turbulence to the crew.
• C. Ignore turbulence and continue normally.
• D. Remove all restraints to allow patient movement.

Answer: (B)

The key idea is maintaining safety for both patient and crew during flight turbulence. The best approach is to secure all equipment, lock the wheels, minimize unnecessary movement, and communicate impending turbulence to the crew. Securing equipment prevents devices, lines, or monitors from becoming projectiles or loosening during jolts. Locking the wheels keeps the stretcher from shifting unexpectedly, protecting the patient from sudden jarring and preventing staff from being knocked around. Limiting movement reduces the risk of injury from abrupt motions and keeps IVs, tubes, and sensors intact. Communicating with the crew about upcoming turbulence lets everyone brace, adjust positions as needed, and maintain overall coordination.

Unplugging equipment and proceeding as normal creates risk of losing critical support; ignoring turbulence is unsafe; removing restraints would remove essential hold on the patient and equipment, increasing the chance of injury.