wheelchair evaluation and prescription

Question 1

Specifications for home accessibility wheelchair

Answer 1

• standard hallway width of 36 inches
• standard doorways need to be 36 inches wide and no more then 24 inches deep
• ramps have to have 1 foot of “run” for every inch of “rise” and no more then 30 feet without a level platform
• lever doors are better then round knobs (due to grip strength)

Question 2

turn radius of a wheel chair

Answer 2

78 min by 60 min

Question 3

basics for wheelchair Rx

Answer 3

• use your vendor and your peers/mentors
• interdisciplinary
• patient specific (pt size, use, home/work, pathology)
• functional ability

Question 4

seat width

Answer 4

trochanter to trochanter - allow for weight gain

Question 5

seat depth

Answer 5

posterior buttocks to popliteal fossa
- unsure that there is 2 inches from the edge of the seat to the popliteal fossa (to make sure that the back of the wheelchair does not rub against popliteal fossa

Question 6

seat height

Answer 6

• seat to floor : allow for cushion height
• leave room for footplate clearance off floor
• backrest height and width : seat to inferior angle of the scapula

Question 7

footrest to seat (leg rest length)

Answer 7

• popliteal fossa to the sole of foot
• allow for height of cushion
• with customary shoes
• optimal hip position
• 2 inches from the floor

Question 8

armrest height

Answer 8

• seating surface to elbow with the shoulders relaxed
• allow for the height of cushion

Question 9

manual wheelchairs frame

Answer 9

• folding (good for storage) vs. rigid (more protective and solid)
• weight (light weight frames)

Question 10

manual wheelchairs backrest

Answer 10

• fixed height vs adjustable
• the lower the backrest the less support that they have

Question 11

manual wheelchair seat

Answer 11

• solid vs. sling
• standard height vs hemi-height (can use feet to steer)

Question 12

manual wheelchairs tires

Answer 12

• Pneumatic vs. solid
• large castor vs. small castor
• larger front wheel increases stability but decreases mobility

Question 13

manual wheelchair front rigging (leg rests)

Answer 13

• rigid vs. detachable, swingaway, elevating
• heel loops

Question 14

manual wheelchair arm rests

Answer 14

• fixed vs. adjustable, removable or swingaway
• desk length vs. full length

Question 15

foam- flat cushions advantage

Answer 15

less expensive, stabile positioning

Question 16

foam-flat cushions disadvantage

Answer 16

• frequent replacement
• “bottoms out”
• heat buildup may put tissues at risk for pressure ulcers

Question 17

foam contoured cushion advantage

Answer 17

• easy to use
• inexpensive
• maximize contact between pt and the cushion surface

Question 18

foam contoured cushion disadvantage

Answer 18

• may interfere with transfers
• heat buildup bay put tissues at risk for pressure ulcers

Question 19

fuild cushion advantage

Answer 19

• decreases shearing forces as fluid moves with a person

Question 20

fuild cushion disadvantage

Answer 20

• less stable
• “bottom out”
• maintenance to redistribute fluid within seat

Question 21

air- filled cushion advantages

Answer 21

• lightweight
• adjust pressure
• distribution with positional changes
• multiple styles

Question 22

air-filled cushion disadvantages

Answer 22

• may interfere with transfers , maintenance required, can puncture

Question 23

gel filled cushion advantages

Answer 23

• stabile seating with good pelvic control, molds to buttocks with move even pressure distributions, conducts heat away from skin

Question 24

gel filled cushion disadvantage

Answer 24

• more expensive, heavy, and may leak

Question 25

hybrid (gel and foam) advantages

Answer 25

• combines materials for better control of seating variables

Question 26

hybrid (gel and foam) disadvantages

Answer 26

• weakness of construction components