What is a slide board used for, and which patient group benefits most from it?

• A. It bridges the space between surfaces to reduce distance and friction; useful for patients with some leg function but limited leg strength or control.
• B. It is used to lift a patient completely into the air.
• C. It allows patients to grip surfaces better.
• D. It is a device used to measure gait speed.

Answer: (A)

Slide boards are transfer aids that bridge the space between two surfaces and reduce friction during lateral transfers. They let a patient slide from bed to chair or into a wheelchair by using arm effort and some leg control, rather than lifting the entire body.

This tool is best for people who have some leg function but limited leg strength or control. With a slide board, they can move across the board with less energy and less shear on the skin, which helps preserve skin integrity and makes transfers safer and more independent with caregiver assistance as needed.

Other options describe tools or purposes that aren’t about facilitating a seated-to-sitting transfer across a surface. For example, lifting a patient completely into the air requires a mechanical lift; improving grip on surfaces isn’t the board’s primary function; and measuring gait speed is done with gait assessment tools, not a transfer aid.