Deck 7: Features and Activities of Wheelchairs

Question 1

Which actions enable the user to produce the quickest right turn of the wheelchair?

A) Hold the left handrim, and push forward on the right handrim.
B) Pull back on the left handrim, and push forward on the right handrim.
C) Hold the right handrim, and pull back on the left handrim.
D) Push forward on the left handrim, and pull back on the right handrim.

Answer 1

D
Holding the right handrim while pushing forward on the left handrim will produce a right turn; however,simultaneously pulling back on the right handrim and pushing forward on the left handrim will cause the chair to turn more quickly.

Question 2

Which of the following wheelchair maintenance activities is not recommended?

A) Lubrication of the cross-brace center pin every 6 months
B) Wiping the chair down dry after exposure to rain, snow, or other moisture
C) Immersing the chair in water or spraying it with a hose to remove debris
D) Periodic lubrication of armrest posts with a silicon spray

Answer 2

C
The chair should not be immersed in water or sprayed with a hose.This may cause unwanted breakdown or rust of the chair parts.It should be wiped dry after exposure to rain,snow,or other types of moisture,and it should also be lubricated regularly in the appropriate areas.

Question 3

What adverse effect may a user experience if the footplates of the wheelchair are too low?

A) Increased pressure to the distal posterior aspect of the thigh
B) Increased pressure to the ischial tuberosities
C) Decreased trunk stability
D) Increased pressure to the greater trochanters

Answer 3

A
If the footplates are too low,the user may experience increased pressure to the distal posterior aspect of the thigh,decreased function of the upper extremities when propelling the chair,and unsafe mobility due to lack of sufficient clearance of the footplate from the floor or ground surface.

Question 4

How should a patient in a wheelchair be instructed to react to a backward fall?

A) Place one forehand across the knees and thighs.
B) Reach backward for protection with one hand.
C) Reach backward for protection with both hands.
D) Raise both upper extremities above the head.

Question 5

Which of the following is not an advantage of a chair cushion?

A) Helps distribute pressure to reduce skin breakdown
B) Provides support for the pelvis
C) Adds comfort
D) Eliminates pressure to the ischial tuberosities

Question 6

Which wheelchair dimension should be examined if excessive pressure to the greater trochanters is noted?

A) Seat depth
B) Back height
C) Armrest height
D) Seat width

Question 7

Which wheelchair feature would be most beneficial when the user has only one functional upper extremity and no functional lower extremities?

A) One-arm drive
B) Adjustable armrests
C) Removable leg rests
D) Scissor locks

Question 8

How should a patient using both upper extremities for wheelchair propulsion be taught to navigate up a particularly steep ramp or incline?

A) Facing forward, moving in a straight line
B) Facing backward, moving in a straight line
C) Facing forward, moving in a zigzag fashion
D) Facing backward, moving in a zigzag fashion

Question 9

How should the inferior angles of the scapulae be positioned relative to the top of the back upholstery of a properly fitted wheelchair?

A) About one hand width above the back upholstery
B) About one fingerbreadth above the back upholstery
C) About two fingerbreadths below the back upholstery
D) About one hand width below the back upholstery

Question 10

What distance is used to determine proper wheelchair seat height?

A) The distance from the user's ankle to upper thigh, plus 2 inches
B) The distance from the user's heel to popliteal fold, minus 2 inches
C) The distance from the user's heel to popliteal fold, plus 2 inches
D) The distance from the user's heel to upper thigh, minus 2 inches

Question 11

What distance is used to determine proper wheelchair seat depth?

A) The distance from the user's posterior buttock to the popliteal fold, minus 2 inches
B) The distance from the user's posterior buttock to the patella, minus 2 inches
C) The distance from the user's posterior buttock to the patella, plus 2 inches
D) The distance from the user's posterior buttock to the popliteal fold, plus 2 inches

Question 12

Which wheelchair feature is important for a patient who will perform a lateral swinging or sliding transfer in the sitting posture?

A) Fixed armrests
B) Removable armrests
C) Desk or cutout armrests
D) Adjustable armrests

Question 13

How much weight are standard adult wheelchairs designed to carry?

A) Less than 200 pounds
B) Less than 250 pounds
C) Less than 275 pounds
D) Less than 300 pounds

Question 14

How does the "amputee" wheelchair differ from standard wheelchairs?

A) The seat is lowered approximately 2 inches.
B) The rear wheel axles are positioned 2 inches posterior to their normal position.
C) The seat is widened approximately 2 inches.
D) The rear wheel axles are positioned 2 inches anterior to their normal position.

Question 15

What distance is used to determine proper wheelchair seat width?

A) The distance between the most lateral aspects of the user's buttocks, plus 4 inches
B) The distance between the most lateral aspects of the user's buttocks, plus 1.5 inches
C) The distance between the most lateral aspects of the user's buttocks
D) The distance between the most lateral aspects of the user's buttocks, minus 2 inches

Question 16

When propelling a wheelchair up an incline,in which direction should the patient lean?

A) Backward
B) Forward
C) To either side
D) It is not necessary for the patient to lean in any direction

Question 17

When a wheelchair user performs a "wheelie" or "pop-up," which wheels are elevated?

A) Both caster wheels
B) Both drive wheels
C) Both rear wheels
D) Only one caster wheel

Question 18

How does the "hemiplegic" wheelchair differ from standard wheelchairs?

A) The seat is lowered approximately 2 inches.
B) The rear wheel axles are positioned 2 inches posterior to their normal position.
C) The seat is widened approximately 2 inches.
D) The rear wheel axles are positioned 2 inches anterior to their normal position.

Question 19

What is a potential disadvantage of a sling or hammock seat cushion?

A) Internal rotation of the femurs
B) Difficult lateral sitting transfers
C) A tendency for the pelvis to slide forward
D) All of the above

Question 20

Which wheelchair feature would be most beneficial for a user who has poor trunk stability?

A) Elevating leg rests
B) Toggle locks
C) Chest and lap belts
D) Removable armrests