1. Your patient will be using crutches for mobility. After educating the patient on
how to adjust the crutches to fit correctly, you assess how well the
... [Show More] patient
understood the instructions. What findings demonstrate that the crutches were
adjusted correctly by the patient? Select all that apply:*
A. The hand grips of the crutches are even with the mid-forearm.
B. When the patient grips the hand grips of the crutches the elbow bends at about
30 degrees.
C. The patient has a 2-3 finger width distance between the axillae and crutch rest
pad.
D. The patient places weight on the axillae rather than the hands while ambulating.
- The answers are B and C. Properly fitted crutches should be a 2-3 finger width
(about 1-1.5 inches) distance between the axillae (armpit area) and the crutch rest
pads during ambulation. This prevents damaging the nerves that are located in the
axillae during ambulation. In addition, when the patient grips the hand grips of the
crutches the elbow should slightly bend at about 30 degrees. Option A is wrong
because the hand grips of the crutches should be even with the hip line (not the
mid-forearm), and option D is wrong because the patient should place weight on
the HANDS while ambulating NOT the axillae area (this can cause nerve damage).
2. Your patient is using a cane for the first time. Before using the cane, you assess
that the cane properly fits the patient. Which findings below demonstrate the cane
properly fits the patient? Select all that apply:*
A. The arm that is holding the cane is flexed at about a 40 degree angle.
B. The top of the cane is at the level of the greater trochanter.
C. When the patient dangles their arms, the top of the cane is even with the crease
of the wrist closest to the hand.D. There is a 1.5 inch gap between the top of the cane and the axillae. - The
answers are B and C. Option B and C are correct because these are the two
methods used to determine a proper fit for a cane. Option A is wrong because the
arm holding the cane should be flexed at about 15-30 degree angle (NOT 40 degree
angle). Option D is wrong because proper measurement of a cane has nothing to do
with the axillae region (this is applicable only for crutches).
3. A patient will be using a walker for the first time. You adjust the walker to fit the
patient. Which finding below demonstrates that the walker properly fits the
patient?*
A. There is a 2-3 finger width distance between the hand grips of the walker and
the wrists.
B. The elbows bend at about a 15-30 degree angle when the patient holds onto the
hand grips of the walker.
C. The patient's back is mid-line with the crossbar of the walker.
D. The crossbar of the walker is even with the greater trochanter. - The answer is
B. When a patient holds the hand grips of the walker, the elbows should slightly
bend at a 15-30 degree angle.
4. Your patient is prescribed to use crutches for ambulation. The patient can bear
partial weight and needs to be taught how to use the two-point gait while using
crutches. Which description below best describes this type of gait with crutches?*
A. The patient moves both crutches forward and then moves both legs forward to
the same point as the crutches.
B. The patient moves the right crutch (injured side), then moves the left foot (noninjured side), then moves the left crutch (non-injured side), and then moves the
right foot (injured side).C. The patient moves both the right crutch (injured side) and left foot (non-injured
side) forward together, and then moves the left crutch (non-injured side) and right
foot (injured side) forward together.
D. The patient moves both crutches and injured leg forward together, and then
moves the non-injured leg forward. - The answer is C. The two-point gait is where
the patient moves both the right crutch (injured side) and left foot (non-injured
side) forward TOGETHER, and then moves the left crutch (non-injured side) and
right foot (injured side) forward TOGETHER.
5. While your patient is ambulating with crutches he moves both crutches forward
along with the injured leg and then moves the non-injured forward. When you
document you will note that the patient used what type of gait while ambulating
with crutches?*
A. Two-point gait
B. Three-point gait
C. Four-point gait
D. Swing-to-gait - The answer is B. This describes the three-point gait while using
crutches [Show Less]