To avoid shearing, the CNA should never elevate the head of the bed greater than how many degrees?

To prevent shearing, the head of the bed should not be elevated more than 30 degrees. Shearing occurs when the skin and underlying tissues move in opposite directions, which can lead to skin breakdown and pressure ulcers. Keeping the head of the bed at or below this angle helps to ensure that the patient’s body remains stable and reduces the risk of these harmful effects. Elevating the bed higher than 30 degrees increases the likelihood of the patient's body sliding down in relation to the bed, which increases the risk of skin shearing and damage. Therefore, maintaining a maximum elevation of 30 degrees serves as a crucial guideline for CNAs to protect patients' skin integrity.