To ensure personal safety when making an unoccupied bed, what should the nurse do?

Placing the bed at a comfortable working height is crucial for ensuring personal safety while making an unoccupied bed. This action helps to prevent back strain and other musculoskeletal injuries that can occur when working at awkward angles or heights. By adjusting the bed to a level that allows for proper body mechanics, the nurse can reduce the risk of injury while efficiently performing the task.

Having the bed at an appropriate height also facilitates easier access to linens and allows the nurse to work in a more ergonomic position, which can enhance efficiency and comfort during the bed-making process. Personal safety is paramount in nursing tasks, and this practice contributes to maintaining overall health and well-being.

Other options, such as wearing sterile gloves or placing a laundry bag nearby, do not specifically address the safety of the nurse during the action of making the bed, and ensuring accessibility to the call light is more relevant when patient needs are a factor rather than the process of making the bed itself.