What technique is used to turn a patient in bed while maintaining straight body alignment?

Logrolling is the technique used to turn a patient in bed while ensuring that their body maintains straight alignment. This method is particularly important for patients with spinal injuries or other conditions that require careful movement to prevent further injury. During the logrolling process, the caregiver rolls the patient as a single unit, keeping the head, spine, and hips aligned. This is achieved by using a coordinated effort to shift the patient’s body simultaneously, which minimizes twisting and shearing forces on the skin and underlying tissues.

In contrast, pivoting involves rotating a person around a central axis, typically done at a standing position, which does not apply when a patient is lying down. Shearing refers to the skin being pulled in one direction while the underlying tissue remains stationary, which can occur if a patient is moved incorrectly in bed. The Sims position is a specific side-lying position used for various medical examinations or procedures, but it does not pertain to the act of turning the patient while maintaining alignment. Therefore, logrolling is the most appropriate and effective technique for this scenario.