Seated Mobility (Wheelchairs)

Where is the pushrim of a wheelchair (picture)?

Does a wheelchair have a lock or a break?

a lock

What might be necessary to ensure a wheelchair is accessible to a patient's home environment?

a home visit

What is the usual seat for a manual wheelchair?

sling seat

What is the usual seat for a power wheelchair?

cushion seat

What can provide valuable information about the distribution of a patient's weight in a wheelchair seat?

pressure maps or sensors

How is smart technology being integrated into cushion design for wheelchairs?

wireless body-area sensor networks can help monitor patients' posture and activity levels in their wheelchair

What is the name of the back of the wheelchair?

seat back (sling or cushion)

What are the types of wheelchairs?

standard, sport, lightweight, ultralightweight, reclining, tilt-in-space, amputee, transport, and bariatric

How are patients fitted for wheelchairs?

-measured

-accommodate typical clothing/footwear

How do you have good body mechanics when pushing a wheelchair?

-use lower extremitites for pushing

-smooth pace

-apply locks when stationary

-avoid carpet, grass, gravel, and sand if you can

-tip wheelchair back carefully when needed

How do you enter doorways with wheelchairs when the door opens away from patient?

move backward through the door then turn wheelchair forward

How do you enter doorways with wheelchairs when the door opens toward the patient?

steer wheelchair beside door, open door, then move wheelchair forwards through the door while preventing it from closing

How do you ascend an incline (dependent)?

push up and forward using legs and keeping all 4 wheels on the ground

How do you descend an incline (dependent)?

lean backward using a wide BoS and low CoG while keeping all 4 wheels on the ground

How do you ascend a curb forward (dependent)?

tip wheelchair back and place casters up on curb, roll drive wheels up against curb, and use legs to power the drive wheels up the curb

How do you descend a curb backward (dependent)?

back drive wheels close to the edge of curb, control drive wheels down the curb using legs, tip wheelchair back and bring casters off the curb and set the them down gently

How do you ascend a curb backward (dependent)?

back drive wheels against curb, tip chair back, use legs to roll drive wheels up the curb, set casters down gently up on the curb

How do you descend curb forward (dependent)?

tip wheelchair back, roll drive wheels forward to the curb, control drive wheels rolling down the curb with legs, set casters gently down once fully down the curb

How do you take care of and maintain wheelchairs?

-use for designed purpose only

-store in safe, dry place

-routinely check tires, spokes, lock, and power systems

-look at owner's manual for recommended maintenance

What does a wheelchair consist of?

a postural support on a mobility base

What do wheelchair options cause?

trade-offs for the user (compromise)

What does a good wheelchair fit do?

increase patient's functional independence

What does a poor wheelchair fit do?

limit function and can cause injury

What is wheelchair propulsion?

propelling a wheelchair

What does wheelchair propulsion require?

smart use of body mechanics to prevent injury

What is a ramp?

accessible route with a slope greater than 1:20

What is the easiest way to manage curbs with a wheelchair?

up forward and down backward

What are the small wheels on a wheelchair called?

casters

What are the big wheels on a wheelchair called?

drive wheels