Mobility Flashcards
Trapeze Bar
triangular shaped device that is attached to an overhead bed frame. Patients can use the base of the triangle as a grip bar to move up in bed, turn, and pull up in preparation for getting out of bed or getting on or off the bed pan.
Footboard
a device placed at the end of the bed to prevent foot drop and outward hip rotation. But it does not relieve heel pressure and can lead to pressure injury.
Trochanter roll
prevent external hip rotation when the patient is in a supine position. They are made from tightly rolled towels, bath blankets, or foam pads. They are placed adjacent to the hips and thighs to prevent external rotation of the hips.
Abduction pillow
prevent internal hip rotation and hip adduction when the patient is in supine position. Also prevents strain on hip ligaments in neutral position.
Boots and splints
boots: mad of spongy rubber with heel cutouts and ankle cushioning help prevent skin breakdown. rigid heel-lift boots, in addition, help to prevent foot drop and external hip rotation. Wedge-shaped piece of spongy material are used after femoral fracture, hip fracture or surgery. Straps wrap around the patients thighs and holds the patient in the correct position.
Sizing canes
- ask patient to stand erect and place the cane tip 20 cm (4in) to the side of foot.
- top of cane should reach the top of the hip joint so that the patient can hold the cane with her elbow flexed 30 degrees
Sizing walkers
- ask patient to stand erect and hold onto walker/
- walker should extend from floor to the hip joint so that the patient can comfortably hold the walker with a 30 degree flexion of elbow.
Canes
- hold cane on stronger side
- distrubute weight evenly between feet and cane.
- Advance cane and weaker leg simultaneously, then bring stronger leg through.
- avoid leaning over or on cane,
Walkers
- stand between the back legs of walker. Dont stand to far behind walker.
- pick up walker and advacne as you step ahead.
- if one leg is weaker, move it forward as the walker moves forward.
- pick up rather than slide walker
Crutches
-place crutches 15 cm (6in) in front of feet.
Dangling
position to help prepare the patient to get up in a chair, to stand, or to ambulate.
Preventing orthostatic hypotension
antiembolism stockings with compression wraps to prevent pooling of venous blood. Abdominal binders. Medications to control orthostatic hypotension.
Assisting the patient to walk
assist readiness to walk.
Cardiovascular
- Increased cardiac workload –Thrombus
- Orthostatic hypotension
Musculoskeletal
Muscle
- Disuse atrophy - Joint contractures - Footdrop
Skeletal
- Disuse osteoporosis - Pathological fractures