The nurse is assessing the patient's crutches.The nurse recognizes that correctly sized crutches are:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Crutches should be about 16 inches (40 cm)shorter than the patient's height.When in the standing position with axillary crutches,the axillary bar should be two finger breadths below the axilla.The elbow should be flexed at a 30-degree angle when the palms of the hands rest on the hand grip.It is important that the patient not rest the body at the axilla on the top of the crutch;body weight should be borne by the arms on the hand rests of the crutches.If crutches are too long,pressure on the axilla will occur and can cause nerve and circulatory impairment.

The Nurse Is Assessing the Patient's Crutches