A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client who has a cast on the right lower leg and is prescribed standard axillary crutches. The client has a strict non-weight-bearing status on the right leg. Which of the following instructions should the nurse provide regarding how to correctly ascend a flight of stairs?
- Place body weight on the crutches and advance the left leg up to the step first.Answer
- BAdvance both crutches and the right leg up to the step simultaneously, then bring up the left leg.
- CMove both crutches to the step first, transfer body weight forward, and then step up with the left leg.
- DStep up with the right leg first, followed immediately by both crutches and the left leg.
Answer
Place body weight on the crutches and advance the left leg up to the step first.
When ascending stairs with crutches, the client must use the 'up with the good' technique. This involves supporting the body weight on the crutches while advancing the unaffected (good) leg to the next step. Once the unaffected leg is secure on the step, the client transfers their weight to that leg and brings both the crutches and the affected leg up to the same step. This maintains balance and ensures no weight is placed on the injured extremity.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Crutch Walking on Stairs
Estimated Time:1m 0s