The nurse is assessing the patient's crutches. Which observation confirms that the crutches are sized correctly?
a. The crutches are the same height as the patient's shoulders.
b. The crutches are approximately 12 inches shorter than the patient's shoulders.
c. The crutches are approximately 16 inches shorter than the patient's height.
d. The crutches are tall enough to allow the patient's arms to be fully extended when walking.
C
Crutches should be about 16 inches (40 cm) shorter than the patient's height. When in the stand-ing position with axillary crutches, the axillary bar should be two finger breadths below the axilla. The elbow should be flexed at a 30-degree angle when the palms of the hands rest on the handgrip. It is important that the patient not rest the body at the axilla on the top of the crutch; body weight should be borne by the arms on the hand rests of the crutches. If crutches are too long, pressure on the axilla will occur and can cause nerve and circulatory impairment.
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