Which of the following statements is appropriate for a nurse to teach a patient regarding the use of crutches?
A) "The axillae should support all your body weight."
B) "Your elbows should be straight when your hands are on the crutch handgrips."
C) "The distance between the crutch pad and axillae should be three to four finger widths."
D) "Your elbows should be flexed about 45 degrees when the handgrip position is correct."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Make sure you position the handgrips so the axillae do not support all patients' body weight.Pressure on the axillae increases risk to underlying nerves,which sometimes results in partial paralysis of the arm.You determine the correct position of the handgrips with the patient upright,supporting weight by the handgrips with the elbows slightly flexed (20 to 25 degrees).You verify elbow flexion with a goniometer.When you have determined the height and placement of the handgrips,you again verify that the distance between the crutch pad and the patient's axilla is three to four finger widths.

Which of the Following Statements Is Appropriate for a Nurse