What is the purpose of turning and repositioning a bedridden resident every two hours?

• A. To check for bed bugs.
• B. To adjust bedding arrangement for staff convenience.
• C. To prevent pressure ulcers and promote comfort and circulation.
• D. To monitor weight fluctuations.

Answer: (C)

Turning and repositioning a bedridden resident every two hours relieves constant pressure on vulnerable areas of the body. When someone is immobile, the weight of the body can compress skin and underlying tissue at bony prominences (like the sacrum, heels, hips), which can cut off blood flow and lead to pressure ulcers. By changing position, you redistribute pressure, improve circulation, and reduce friction and moisture that can irritate the skin. This simple care also helps keep the resident more comfortable and can aid in better breathing and digestion by promoting movement and chest expansion. Proper technique and safety are important to protect both the resident and the caregiver, and ongoing skin checks during turning help catch any early signs of breakdown early.

Other options don’t match the goal of this practice. Checking for bed bugs isn’t part of routine repositioning. Adjusting bedding for staff convenience isn’t patient-centered care. Monitoring weight fluctuations is done through weighing and other assessments, not by turning the resident.