Wheelchair Measurements

Question 1

advantage and disadvantage of a vinyl sling seat

Answer 1

advantage - lightweight, easy to clean and easy to fold.

disadvantage - poor postural stability

Question 2

height of back support for those with no UE strength and poor trunk control

Answer 2

height should be measured to the spine of the scapula

Question 3

how do you prescribe the seat width?

Answer 3

Should be as wide as their hip width, and up to 1 inch wider especially for power wheelchairs

Question 4

how do you measure armrest height

Answer 4

bottom of buttocks to bottom of elbow bent at 90 degrees + height of compressed cushion

Question 5

which armrest provides UE support with transfers to/from chair

Answer 5

full length armrest

Question 6

what variation is made to the seat height if the patient propels with their feet?

Answer 6

make the seat height lower by not adding that extra 3 or 4 inches

Question 7

What 5 measurements must be taken when prescribing wheelchairs

Answer 7

1. Seat height
2. Seat width
3. Seat depth
4. Armrest height
5. Back support height

Question 8

how do you measure seat height

Answer 8

(bottom of heel to posterior thigh) - (height of seat cushion when compressed) + (3 or 4 inches)

Question 9

how do you measure the footrest?

Answer 9

distance from the heel to the under surface of the thigh at the popliteal fossa

Question 10

what happens if seat is too shallow?

Answer 10

increased pressure on the ischial tuberosities and potential for ulcer

Question 11

removable/flip-back armrests advantage and disadvantage

Answer 11

advantage - allows lateral transfers

disadvantage - adds weight to chair and increases width

Question 12

which armrest do you need to support a lap tray or arm trough? desk length or full length?

Answer 12

full length armrest

Question 13

advantage and disadvantage of a solid seat

Answer 13

advantage - better postural stability

disadvantage - heavy and hard to fold

Question 14

which armrest provides better forearm clearance when propelling - tubular or standard?

Answer 14

tubular

Question 15

most commonly prescribed type of armrest

Answer 15

removable, adjustable, desk length armrest

Question 16

what happens if seat is too narrow? too wide?

Answer 16

narrow = pressure ulcers at trochanters
wide = poor trunk support and back pain

Question 17

height of back support for those using their arms to propel

Answer 17

height should be just below inferior angle of scapula

Question 18

disadvantage of full length armrest

Answer 18

unable to get close to tables and desks

Question 19

2 types of wheelchair seats

Answer 19

1. vinyl sling seat

2. solid seat

Question 20

how much clearance should footrest have from the floor

Answer 20

2 inches

Question 21

what change do you have to make to the seat depth if the patient is going to propel with their feet?

Answer 21

subtract 1-2 inches from measurement of dorsum of buttock to popliteal fossa, and create bevel at the back of the chair cushion to allow for more knee flexion

Question 22

which armrest is longer, desk length or full length?

Answer 22

full length is longer. Full length is 14” and desk length is 10”

Question 23

fixed armrest advantage and disadvantage

Answer 23

advantage - keeps the chair light and doesn’t add width

disadvantage - don’t allow lateral transfers

Question 24

how do you measure the seat depth

Answer 24

dorsum of buttocks to the popliteal fossa minus 1/2 inch