Answer :
Final answer:
A PCT should use a gait belt to transfer a weight bearing patient from a wheelchair to the bed. The gait belt provides stability and support during the transfer, ensuring the patient's safety.
Explanation:
When a Patient Care Technician (PCT) is transferring a weight bearing patient from a wheelchair to the bed, the appropriate piece of equipment to use is a gait belt. A gait belt is a safety device used to help transfer patients who are partially mobile and need assistance moving from one place to another. The belt is placed around the patient's waist, and the PCT holds onto it to help stabilize the patient and support them as they move to the bed.
This is preferable over other options such as a trapeze, which is used by patients to help themselves move while in bed; crutches, which are used by patients who are capable of walking but need support; and a slide board, which is used to bridge a gap between two sitting surfaces, but typically when patients are non-weight bearing or have limited weight-bearing capabilities.
