The nurse is instructing the client who had a right hip replacement to descend stairs by using axillary crutches. Which should the nurse include in client teaching?
1. Use the handrail on the right side.
2. Shift weight to the left leg to begin.
3. Keep crutches very close to the hips.
4. Place left leg on the stair below first.
2
2. The nurse instructs the client to begin in the tripod position and, thus, shift the body weight to the unaffected leg to maintain balance and a base of support. Clients use crutches after hip replacement to allow the prostheses adequate time for bone growth, for the glue to set, and for the surgical sites to mature before weight or stress is applied to the area.
1. The client uses both crutches, one on each side, to descend a stairway to provide a wide base of support and to avoid hopping down each step on one foot.
3. The client holds the crutches 6 inches laterally to each of the client's heels, pro-viding a wider base of support.
4. The nurse instructs the client to position the crutches on the stair below before shifting weight to the crutches and moving the right leg forward.
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