Deck 10: Gait Training With Ambulatory Assistive Devices

Question 1

Which of the following is the BEST ambulatory assistive device for a patient with poor coordination and lower extremity weakness?

A) Two canes
B) Forearm crutches
C) Axillary crutches
D) A walker

Answer 1

A walker

Question 2

Appropriate ambulatory assistive device(s) for a patient who fractured his right tibia in a skiing accident and is partial weight bearing on the right lower extremity is:

A) two canes.
B) platform walker.
C) axillary crutches.
D) forearm crutches.

Answer 2

axillary crutches.

Question 3

Which of the following are indications for gait training in the parallel bars?

A) Patient needs safety for learning a gait pattern
B) Patient needs stability
C) Patient lacks coordination
D) All of the above

Answer 3

All of the above

Question 4

Fatigue during gait training may be due to:

A) time of day gait training is started.
B) physical effort required to use an ambulatory assistive device.
C) medications.
D) amount to be learned to safely use an ambulatory assistive device.

Question 5

Which of the following is a technique to reduce fatigue during gait training?

A) Frequent rest periods
B) Varying the environment from simple to complex
C) Frequently reminding the patient what to do so the patient does not need to think
D) Starting with the hardest tasks so patient can be safe

Question 6

When ambulating with a non-wheeled walker, patients use a:

A) step-to gait pattern.
B) step-through gait pattern.

Question 7

When patients are FIRST learning to ambulate with an assistive device, the PTs/PTAs:

A) keep the family from helping the patient.
B) monitor the environment for the patient.
C) remind patients to not look at their feet.
D) let the patient select the assistive device.

Question 8

Which of the following ambulatory assistive devices provides the GREATEST stability?

A) Cane
B) Walker
C) Forearm crutches
D) Axillary crutches

Question 9

Which of the following ambulatory assistive devices provides the LEAST amount of support?

A) Axillary crutches
B) Walker
C) Forearm crutches
D) Quad cane

Question 10

To assist a patient to learn to problem solve and generalize skills, gait training should include:

A) structuring the environment to reduce distractions.
B) starting with simple tasks.
C) varying the environment.
D) demonstrating the gait pattern.

Question 11

Which of the following skills present a serious safety challenge for patients who ambulate with a walker?

A) Assumption of standing and sitting
B) Ascending and descending stairs
C) Ambulating on ramps
D) Ambulating through doors that open towards the patient and have automatic closers

Question 12

Which of the following ambulatory assistive devices requires the MOST coordination to use?

A) Axillary crutches
B) Cane
C) Walker
D) Quad cane

Question 13

Which of the following ambulatory assistive devices requires the LEAST coordination to use?

A) Axillary crutches
B) Walker
C) Forearm crutches
D) Two quad canes

Question 14

The height of the hand grip of a walker is:

A) at the level of the finger tips.
B) at the level of the metacarpophalangeal joints.
C) with the elbow at approximately 45 degrees when gripping the walker.
D) with the elbow at approximately 20 degrees when gripping the walker.

Question 15

Tests and measures useful for indications which ambulatory assistive device is appropriate include:

A) quality of life survey.
B) six minute walk test.
C) lower extremity goniometry.
D) balance assessment.

Question 16

A non-weight bearing gait pattern can be performed with which of the following ambulatory assistive devices?

A) Two canes
B) One forearm crutch
C) Walker
D) Two quad canes

Question 17

A four-point gait pattern is indicated for patients who:

A) lack coordination.
B) cannot bear full weight bearing through both lower extremities.
C) have balance problems.
D) have pain in both lower extremities.

Question 18

When using close guarding, PTs/PTAs:

A) walk alongside and slightly behind the patient with a hand on the gait belt.
B) walk alongside the patient without touching the patient or gait belt.
C) walk behind the patient with one hand on the gait belt and one on the patient's shoulder.
D) walk behind and slightly to the side of the patient with one hand on the gait belt.

Question 19

When guarding patients ascending stairs, PTs/PTAs stand:

A) in front of the patient.
B) behind the patient.
C) alongside the patient.

Question 20

When guarding patients descending the stairs facing down the stairs PTs/PTAs stand:

A) in front of the patient.
B) behind the patient.
C) alongside the patient.

Question 21

Patients who are partial weight bearing on their left lower extremity and ambulate with axillary crutches advance what FIRST to ascend stairs?

A) Axillary crutches
B) Right lower extremity
C) Left lower extremity

Question 22

Patients who are non-weight bearing on their right lower extremity and ambulate with axillary crutches advance what FIRST to descend stairs?

A) Axillary crutches
B) Right lower extremity
C) Left lower extremity

Question 23

Patients who are partial weight bearing on the left lower extremity and ambulate with a walker, when assuming standing from a chair with armrests, place their:

A) right hand on the walker.
B) left hand on the walker.

Question 24

Patients who are non-weight-bearing on the right lower extremity and ambulate with axillary crutches assume sitting by placing both crutches in their:

A) right hand.
B) left hand.

Question 25

To correctly adjust the height of axillary crutches:

A) ensure that the patient is standing erect.
B) be able to place one hand width between the top of the crutch and the axillae.
C) place the crutch tip alongside the lateral malleolus.
D) ensure that the patient elevates the scapula.