A nurse is teaching the parents of a school-age child who has sickle cell anemia about managing the disease at home.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

The correct answer is a. Moving both crutches with the stronger leg forward first.

Rationale for Choice C:

• Proper positioning of the hands on the grips and keeping the elbows slightly flexed helps ensure stability and control while using the crutches.

Rationale for Other Choices:

a.In a three-point gait, the client moves both crutches and the affected leg together, followed by the unaffected leg. The stronger leg does not move forward first.

b. Stepping with the affected leg first when going up stairs: This action is incorrect for the three-point gait. When ascending stairs, the client should move the stronger leg up first, followed by the crutches and the affected leg.

d. Supporting his body weight while leaning on the axillary crutch pads: This action is also correct for general crutch use, but it does not specifically address the weight-bearing restrictions and movement pattern of the three-point gait.

Additional Information:

• Practice and supervision:It's essential for the client to practice the three-point gait under the supervision of a healthcare professional to ensure proper technique and safety.
• Gradual progression:The client should gradually increase their distance and duration of crutch use as their strength and coordination improve.
• Pain management:Adequate pain management is crucial to allow the client to participate in rehabilitation and regain mobility.

Choice A rationale:

Looping the tubing so that it is lower than the collection bag creates a dependent loop where urine can pool, increasing the risk of UTI. This practice should be avoided as it can lead to bacterial contamination and subsequent infections.

Choice B rationale:

Keeping the urinary bag at bladder level when ambulating helps maintain a continuous flow of urine into the collection bag without creating dependent loops. This practice minimizes the risk of bacterial contamination and reduces the chances of acquiring a UTI.

Choice C rationale:

Obtaining urinary samples by disconnecting the tubing connections is not recommended. This procedure can introduce bacteria into the urinary system, increasing the risk of UTI. Sterile techniques, such as using a catheter port for sampling, should be followed to minimize the risk of infection.

Choice D rationale:

Securing the catheter to the client's thigh is essential to prevent tension and pulling on the catheter, which can cause trauma to the urethra. However, securing the catheter alone does not minimize the risk of UTI. Proper hygiene, closed drainage system, and maintaining a continuous flow of urine into the collection bag are key factors in preventing UTIs in clients with indwelling urinary catheters.