The nurse is evaluating care of a patient for crutches. Which ...

[Lobcity]

The nurse is evaluating care of a patient for crutches. Which finding indicates a successful outcome?
 
  a. The top of the crutch is three to four finger widths from the armpit.
  b. The elbows are slightly flexed at 30 to 35 degrees when the patient is standing.
  c. The tip of the crutch is 4 to 6 inches anterior to the front of the patient's shoes.
  d. The position of the handgrips allows the axilla to support the patient's body weight.

Question 2

The patient is brought to the emergency department with possible injury to the left shoulder. Which area will the nurse assess to best determine joint mobility?
 
  a. The patient's gait
  b. The patient's range of motion
  c. The patient's ethnic influences
  d. The patient's fine-motor coordination

[shewald78]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
When crutches are fitted, the tip of the crutch is 4 to 6 inches anterior to the front of the patient's shoes, and the length of the crutch is two to three finger widths from the axilla. Position the handgrips so the axillae are not supporting the patient's body weight. Pressure on the axillae increases risk to underlying nerves, which sometimes results in partial paralysis of the arm. Determine correct position of the handgrips with the patient upright, supporting weight by the handgrips with the elbows slightly flexed at 20 to 25 degrees.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Assessing range of motion is one assessment technique used to determine the degree of joint mobility and injury to a joint. Gait is the manner or style of walking. It has little bearing on the shoulder damage. Assessing fine-motor coordination would be beneficial in helping to assess the patient's ability to perform tasks such as feeding and dressing but would not help in evaluating the shoulder. Ethnic influences would not have a direct bearing on the amount of mobility in the joint.