Mobility Quiz (Assistive Devices)

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 patient understood the instructions. What findings demonstrate that the crutches were adjusted correctly by the patient? Select all that apply:

• The hand grips of the crutches are even with the mid-forearm

• When the patient grips the hand grips of the crutches, the elbow bends at 30 degrees

• The patient has a 2-3 finger width distance between the axillae and the crutch rest pad

• The patient places weight on the axillae rather than the hands while ambulating

Answer explanation

The correct adjustments are indicated by a 30-degree elbow bend when gripping the hand grips and a 2-3 finger width distance between the axillae and the crutch rest pad, ensuring proper support and comfort.

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?

• There is a 2-3 finger width distance between the hand grips of the walker and the wrists

• The elbows bend at about a 15-30 degree angle when the patient holds onto the hand grips of the walker

• The patient's back is midline with the crossbar of the walker

• The crossbar of the walker is even with the greater trochanter

Answer explanation

The correct fit for a walker is indicated by the elbows bending at a 15-30 degree angle when holding the hand grips. This position ensures proper posture and balance while using the walker.

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?

• The patient moves both crutches forward, then moves both legs forward to the same point as the crutches

• The patient moves the right crutch (injured side), then moves the left foot (non-injured side), then moves the left crutch, then moves the right foot

• The patient moves both the right crutch (injured side) and the left foot (non-injured side) forward together, and then moves the left crutch and the right foot forward together

• The patient moves both crutches and injured leg forward together, and then moves the non-injured leg forward

Answer explanation

The two-point gait involves moving the right crutch and left foot together, followed by the left crutch and right foot. This method allows for partial weight bearing while maintaining balance.

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?

• Two-point gait

• Three-point gait

• Four-point gait

• Swing-to-gait

Answer explanation

The patient used a three-point gait, which involves moving both crutches and the injured leg forward together, followed by the non-injured leg. This pattern is characteristic of a three-point gait.

While using crutches the patient moves both crutches forward and then moves both legs forward past the placement of the crutches. This is known as the:

• Two-point gait

• Three-point gait

• Swing-to-gait

• Swing-through-gait

Answer explanation

The swing-through gait involves moving both crutches forward and then swinging both legs past the crutches. This method allows for greater mobility and is commonly used by patients who require crutches for support.

While going down the stairs with crutches the patient will move the crutches down onto the step followed by?

• Moving the non-injured leg down onto the step

• Moving the injured leg down onto the step

• Moving both legs down onto the step

Answer explanation

While using crutches, the correct method is to move the crutches down first, followed by the injured leg. This ensures stability and safety while descending stairs.

A patient needs to go up the stairs while using crutches. What finding by the nurse demonstrates the patient understands how to ambulate upstairs with crutches?

• The patient moves the crutches forward up the step, then the injured and non-injured leg

• The patient moves the non-injured leg forward onto the step and then moves the injured leg and crutches up

• The patient moves the injured leg forward onto the steps, then moves the crutches, and then moves the non-injured leg

• The patient moves the crutches and the non-injured leg forward to the step together, and then the non-injured leg

Answer explanation

The correct method is to first move the non-injured leg up onto the step, providing stability, and then bring the injured leg and crutches up. This demonstrates proper technique for ascending stairs with crutches.

Your patient attempts to sit down in the bedside chair after ambulating in the hallway with crutches. What finding requires you to re-educate the patient on how to sit down in the chair correctly while using crutches?

• The patient places both the crutches on the non-injured side before sitting down in the chair

• The patient backs up to the chair's seat until he feels it with his non-injured leg and stops

• The patient keeps the injured leg extended out in front of him while sitting down

• The patient holds both crutches on one side and reaches for the hand grips on the crutches and places weight on them while sitting down

Answer explanation

The patient placing both crutches on the non-injured side before sitting down is incorrect. This can lead to loss of balance. Proper technique involves keeping one crutch on each side for stability while sitting.

When a patient uses a cane to ambulate, the patient will hold the cane on the?

• Weak side

• Strong side

• It does not matter. The patient should choose what side is most comfortable for them

Answer explanation

When using a cane, the patient should hold it on the strong side to provide better support and balance. This allows the cane to assist the weaker side during ambulation.

Which demonstration by the patient below shows that the patient knows how to properly ambulate with a cane?

• The patient holds the cane on the strong side and moves the cane and weak side forward together, then moves the strong side

• The patient holds the cane on the strong side and moves the cane forward, then moves the weak side, and then moves the strong side

• The patient holds the cane on the weak side and moves the cane forward, then moves the weak side, then moves the strong side

• The patient holds the cane on the weak side and moves the cane and the weak side forward together, and then moves the strong side

Answer explanation

The correct choice demonstrates proper cane use: holding it on the strong side provides support, moving the cane and weak side together ensures stability, followed by the strong side for balance.