Which general transfer principle guides the direction of the move toward the patient's strong side?

• A. Transfer toward the strong side
• B. Transfer away from the strong side
• C. Use both sides
• D. Transfer in a straight line

Answer: (A)

Guiding a transfer toward the patient’s strong side uses their greater strength and motor control to initiate and complete the move safely. By directing the ascent or pivot toward the side with better balance, you leverage the more stable base of support, allowing the patient to bear weight, push, or stand with less effort and risk. This helps control the movement and reduce the chance of the patient losing balance or tipping toward the weaker side, making the transfer smoother and safer.

Moving away from the strong side would place more demand on the weaker side and increase instability. Relying on both sides can be necessary in some situations, but the general principle emphasizes direction toward the stronger side for safety and efficiency. Transferring in a perfectly straight line is not the core idea here; the key is using the stronger side to guide and control the transfer.