A practical nurse is reinforcing teaching for a client who has a right fractured tibia and is prescribed strict non-weight-bearing status. The client is using axillary crutches and needs to ascend a flight of stairs. In what order should the nurse instruct the client to perform these actions? (Arrange the steps from first to last.)
- 1Assume the tripod position facing the bottom of the stairs.
- 2Shift body weight securely onto the handgrips of both crutches.
- 3Advance the unaffected left leg up onto the next stair tread.
- 4Transfer body weight from the crutches to the unaffected left leg.
- 5Bring both crutches and the non-weight-bearing right leg up to the stair.
Cevap
The client should first assume a tripod position, shift weight onto the crutches, step up with the unaffected left leg, transfer weight to that left leg, and finally bring the crutches and affected right leg up.
When ascending stairs with axillary crutches, the core principle is to lead with the strong leg (often remembered as 'up with the good'). The client must first establish balance in a tripod stance and support their weight entirely on the crutches. This enables the strong, unaffected leg to step up first and provide the necessary power to lift the body's mass. Once the weight is safely transferred to the strong leg on the higher step, the crutches and the affected leg can follow together without bearing weight.
Adım Adım Çözüm
Anahtar Kavram
Crutch walking on stairs (Ascending)