How should you assist with a patient who has a spinal cord injury during turning?

Utilizing the logrolling procedure is the appropriate method for assisting a patient with a spinal cord injury during turning because it minimizes the risk of further injury to the spine. The logrolling technique involves keeping the patient's body aligned while rolling them as a single unit from one side to another. This method is critical because it helps prevent twisting or bending of the spine, which could exacerbate the existing injury or lead to complications.

Logrolling also ensures that caregivers can maintain the stability of the patient's head, neck, and spine throughout the process. This technique is often taught to caregivers for managing patients with spinal injuries safely, highlighting the importance of proper body mechanics and teamwork when performing the procedure.

In contrast, other methods like pivoting could introduce rotational forces on the spine, which can be dangerous for someone with a spinal injury. Applying pressure to the shoulders could potentially harm the patient if not done carefully, and lifting directly from the bed does not maintain spinal alignment, increasing the risk of injury.