Which statement about helping someone in a wheel chair is true?

Which statement about helping someone in a wheel chair is true?

• A. Fold back the foot rests because they could bang into something
• B. Ensure that the wheelchair brakes are applied when the wheelchair is stopped
• C. If there are bumps in the pavement, turn around and reverse the wheelchair over them
• D. Focus your attention on the person instead of the ground while pushing the wheelchair

Answer: (B)

Safety when assisting someone in a wheelchair relies on preventing unintended movement by engaging the brakes whenever the chair is stopped. This simple step keeps the chair from rolling if the person shifts, if you pause momentarily, or if you’re on a slope or uneven ground. It reduces the risk of a fall, a tip, or the chair moving away unexpectedly during transfers or positioning. The other options don’t provide that secure stability in all common scenarios: folding the foot rests isn’t a universal safety requirement and can create hazards in transfers; turning around to go over bumps is risky and can jolt or tip the chair; and while watching the person is important, relying on that alone without locking the chair doesn’t ensure safety. Engaging the brakes when stopped is the best practice.

Safety when assisting someone in a wheelchair relies on preventing unintended movement by engaging the brakes whenever the chair is stopped. This simple step keeps the chair from rolling if the person shifts, if you pause momentarily, or if you’re on a slope or uneven ground. It reduces the risk of a fall, a tip, or the chair moving away unexpectedly during transfers or positioning. The other options don’t provide that secure stability in all common scenarios: folding the foot rests isn’t a universal safety requirement and can create hazards in transfers; turning around to go over bumps is risky and can jolt or tip the chair; and while watching the person is important, relying on that alone without locking the chair doesn’t ensure safety. Engaging the brakes when stopped is the best practice.