Wheelchair Fitting and Transfer Techniques

Wheelchair Considerations

• Wheelchair components include seat width, depth, and height; armrests; footrests; backrests; and wheels (drive, casters, and hand rims).
• Proper wheelchair fitting ensures the chair matches the patient's size and needs, preventing discomfort, injuries, and poor mobility.
• Procedure 7.1 involves adjusting and confirming wheelchair fit, considering seat dimensions, armrests, and footrest placement.
• Improper wheelchair fit can lead to skin breakdown, poor posture, circulatory issues, and difficulty with propulsion or maneuvering.

Transfer Activities

• Transfer assistance levels range from independent to dependent, including standby, minimal, moderate, and maximal assistance.
• Transfer procedures involve positioning the wheelchair, locking brakes, using gait belts, and maintaining proper body mechanics.
• Transfer safety concerns include preventing falls, ensuring patient stability, and removing hazards from the area.
• Special precautions are needed for transfers involving orthopedic conditions (e.g., hip replacements), neurological conditions (e.g., stroke), and cardiac concerns.

Assistive Devices

• Gait cycle describes the sequence of motions during walking, from heel strike to heel strike.
• Stance phase sub-phases are: heel strike, foot flat, mid-stance, heel off, and toe-off.
• Swing phase sub-phases are: initial swing, mid-swing, and terminal swing.
• Muscles active during the gait cycle include quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles.
• Ambulation preparation involves assessing strength, balance, and weight-bearing status, and ensuring proper footwear and a safe environment.
• Common assistive devices include walkers, canes, crutches, and parallel bars.
• Assistive device selection depends on mobility needs, coordination, and weight-bearing ability.
• Assistive device fit involves adjusting the device so its handle is at the patient's wrist crease when standing.
• Weight-bearing statuses include Non-Weight Bearing (NWB), Partial Weight Bearing (PWB), and Full Weight Bearing (FWB).
• Basic gait patterns with assistive devices include 2-point, 3-point, 4-point, swing-to, and swing-through.

Special Equipment

• Reference laboratory values represent normal ranges for blood components like hemoglobin and platelet counts.
• Precautions for low blood counts during exercise include monitoring for dizziness, fatigue, and avoiding overexertion.
• Anticoagulation therapy increases the risk of bruising and bleeding, so high-impact exercises should be avoided.
• Catheters are tubes for draining urine, requiring careful handling to prevent infections.
• Oxygen therapy systems, like nasal cannulas or masks, aid breathing.
• Chest drainage systems remove air, blood, or fluid from the pleural cavity.
• Ostomy devices are appliances attached to stomas for waste collection, needing secure placement and hygiene.

This quiz covers essential considerations for wheelchair fitting and transfer activities. It addresses the importance of proper wheelchair adjustments to enhance mobility and prevent injuries. Additionally, it explores safe transfer procedures and assistance levels critical for patient care.