The patient ambulates with two axillary crutches,and the nurse notes that the patient's weight is resting on the axilla.Which should the nurse do to prevent patient injury?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The crutches may be too long for the patient,or the patient may be barefoot; thus,the best action for the nurse is to measure the patient again for crutches with shoes on both feet to prevent radial nerve damage at the axilla and to instruct the patient to wear shoes when using the crutches.The patient does not appear to be using the crutches properly and should be instructed to avoid all pressure on the axilla.Increasing the padding along the top of the crutches would actually increase the problem of axillary pressure by increasing the height of the crutches.

The Patient Ambulates with Two Axillary Crutches,and the Nurse Notes