1 | Page
Fundamentals: Practice & Skills (2/4)
Questions and Answers Latest Update
How can falls be prevented at home? Ans: Remove rugs.
Ensure good lighting and use nightlights.
Mark steps with colored tape.
Tape down cords or place behind furniture.
Install grab bars in showers/bathtubs.
Place non-slip mat on shower floor.
Make use of assistive devices.
What are activities of daily living (ADLs)? Ans: Basic tasks necessary for
living.
Ambulating, bathing, dressing, eating, etc.
What are instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)? Ans: More complex
tasks important for functioning.
Transportation, finances, shopping, etc.
What is deep vein thrombosis (DVT)? Ans: Blood clot that forms in a deep
vein in an extremity.
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, 2 | Page
How is deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prevented? Ans: Early/frequent
ambulation.
Compression stockings
Sequential compression device
Prophylactic medications (heparin, enoxaparin)
What are signs and symptoms of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)? Ans:
Calf/thigh pain
Edema
Erythema over affected vein
What is the nursing care for deep vein thrombosis (DVT)? Ans: Elevate
extremity (no pillow/knee gatch under knee)
Warm/moist compresses
Do NOT massage the limb.
Monitor for shortness of breath, chest pain, tachycardia, and hypotension.
What is the nursing care for immobility? Ans: Encourage coughing, deep
breathing, and incentive spirometry.
Apply TED hose or SCDs to promote blood return.
Provide anticoagulation as ordered.
Reposition every 2 hours, monitor skin integrity.
Help patient perform ROM exercises.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
Increase fiber and fluid intake.
Encourage movement when able.
Refer to physical/occupational therapies.
How should a cane be used? Ans: Held on the strong/unaffected side.
Handle should be level of wrist with elbow slightly bent.
Two points of support on ground at all times.
Place cane 6-10" forward, move weak leg forward, then strong leg forward.
How should a walker be used? Ans: Top of walker should reach crease of
wrist when arms are relaxed at side.
Elbows should be flexed around 30 degrees.
Use chair arms for support when rising.
Push walker forward, move weak leg inside walker, then move forward with
strong leg.
How should crutches be used? Ans: Two-point: Move opposite crutch and
leg together followed by other crutch and leg.
Three-point: Move both crutches with injured leg then uninjured leg.
Four-point: One crutch moved, opposite leg, then second crutch, then last
leg.
Swing-through: Both crutches advanced then both legs.
One Crutch: Crutch used on strong/uninjured side. Move crutch forward
with injured leg and then move strong leg forward.
© 2025 All rights reserved
Fundamentals: Practice & Skills (2/4)
Questions and Answers Latest Update
How can falls be prevented at home? Ans: Remove rugs.
Ensure good lighting and use nightlights.
Mark steps with colored tape.
Tape down cords or place behind furniture.
Install grab bars in showers/bathtubs.
Place non-slip mat on shower floor.
Make use of assistive devices.
What are activities of daily living (ADLs)? Ans: Basic tasks necessary for
living.
Ambulating, bathing, dressing, eating, etc.
What are instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)? Ans: More complex
tasks important for functioning.
Transportation, finances, shopping, etc.
What is deep vein thrombosis (DVT)? Ans: Blood clot that forms in a deep
vein in an extremity.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
How is deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prevented? Ans: Early/frequent
ambulation.
Compression stockings
Sequential compression device
Prophylactic medications (heparin, enoxaparin)
What are signs and symptoms of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)? Ans:
Calf/thigh pain
Edema
Erythema over affected vein
What is the nursing care for deep vein thrombosis (DVT)? Ans: Elevate
extremity (no pillow/knee gatch under knee)
Warm/moist compresses
Do NOT massage the limb.
Monitor for shortness of breath, chest pain, tachycardia, and hypotension.
What is the nursing care for immobility? Ans: Encourage coughing, deep
breathing, and incentive spirometry.
Apply TED hose or SCDs to promote blood return.
Provide anticoagulation as ordered.
Reposition every 2 hours, monitor skin integrity.
Help patient perform ROM exercises.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
Increase fiber and fluid intake.
Encourage movement when able.
Refer to physical/occupational therapies.
How should a cane be used? Ans: Held on the strong/unaffected side.
Handle should be level of wrist with elbow slightly bent.
Two points of support on ground at all times.
Place cane 6-10" forward, move weak leg forward, then strong leg forward.
How should a walker be used? Ans: Top of walker should reach crease of
wrist when arms are relaxed at side.
Elbows should be flexed around 30 degrees.
Use chair arms for support when rising.
Push walker forward, move weak leg inside walker, then move forward with
strong leg.
How should crutches be used? Ans: Two-point: Move opposite crutch and
leg together followed by other crutch and leg.
Three-point: Move both crutches with injured leg then uninjured leg.
Four-point: One crutch moved, opposite leg, then second crutch, then last
leg.
Swing-through: Both crutches advanced then both legs.
One Crutch: Crutch used on strong/uninjured side. Move crutch forward
with injured leg and then move strong leg forward.
© 2025 All rights reserved
