When lifting a resident, your feet should be positioned about how many inches apart?

When lifting a resident, having your feet positioned about 18 inches apart is optimal for maintaining balance and stability. This stance provides a solid base of support, which is crucial in preventing falls or injuries during the lift. A wider stance helps to lower your center of gravity and allows for better leverage, making it easier to lift and transfer the resident safely.

A distance of 18 inches also offers enough space for your body movement without being so wide that it compromises agility or control. In nursing assistant practices, following ergonomic principles like this is important to protect both the caregiver and the resident during lifting tasks.