Before transferring a resident from bed to wheelchair, what should you always do?

When transferring a resident from a bed to a wheelchair, it is essential to lock the wheelchair brakes. This safety measure ensures that the wheelchair remains stable and secure during the transfer process, preventing any unintended movement that could lead to falls or injury. A locked wheelchair provides a solid base for both the caregiver and the resident, allowing for a smoother and safer transfer.

While other steps, such as positioning the wheelchair correctly and lowering the footrests, are also important in the overall transfer process, they do not directly enhance safety in the same way that locking the brakes does. Ensuring that the resident does not have a restraint in place is unrelated to the actual mechanics of transferring; instead, it pertains more to the rights and dignity of the resident. Thus, the most critical action before a transfer is to lock the wheelchair's brakes for optimal safety.