Wheelchair Safety
Test your knowledge
Medical Implications
Safe Choices
TRIVIA
100
Tell me the differences between a 2-wheeled walker and a 4-wheeled walker. Include differences in safety for both.
4-wheeled walker is recommeded for patients that have a low risk of falling because of strength and balance
2-wheeled walker has more stability because of less wheels and is recommended for patients with decreased strength and balance.
100
This is something you can install on the walls in your shower or bathroom to reduce the risk of falling
Grab Bars
100
Poor posture in the wheelchair can lead to...
Urinary tract problems, digestive issues, wounds, spine/hip complications, breathing issues, swallowing difficulty
100
Tabby has a pair of long, cozy, sweatpants that are just the coziest pants of all time. She needs to use a walker now. Name 1 safety concern regarding her favorite pants
Baggy clothes can be a fall hazard. If any of your pants are too long for you, you should let a staff member know.
100
What percentage of all hip fractures are the direct result of falling?
A. 77%
B. 95%
C. 90%
D. 65%
B. 95%!
Falls contribute to 95% of all hip fractures for adults over 65yo, and 65% of all hip AND wrist fractures among this age group.
200
What could happen if your breaks are not locked when you try to stand up or sit down?
The chair could roll away from you, resulting in a fall.
200
What can be used if you need something out of reach in your room?
Reacher/Grabber
200
What should you do if you feel your bottom or the bottom of your thighs getting irritated or sore?
Safely reposition if able, let your nurse know, as well as therapy.
200
What are examples of unsafe shoes to wear vs the safest
Unsafe shoes: Flip-flops, slippers, heels, loose fitting shoes,
Safest shoes: Tennis shoes with good support
200
Every __ minutes, adults over 65 years old are hospitalized after a fall.
10 minutes!
300
When transferring, the wheelchair should be next to...
your stronger side
300
You have fallen a few times while talking to the bathroom during the night. What could you do to improve your safety with this given that you have to use the restroom frequently?
- Use call light for assistance
- Implement night lights
- Clear floor of any items
300
Falling can lead to which of the following negative mental health outcomes?
A. Increased fear of falling
B. Loss of independence
C. Depression & Confusion
D. All of the above
D. All of the above
300
When James sleeps at night, he finds himself tossing/turning/rolling all night. What is dangerous about this and what should he do?
Let staff know and make sure your bed is set to the lowest position
300
According to a survey of emergency department physicians in the US and Canada, what location in your home is the most risky location for a fall with 69% of all falls happening here?
The bathroom!
400
If you can't reposition yourself in the wheelchair, what should you do when you feel yourself sliding out of your chair?
Press your call light OR yell out for help if actively sliding out of the chair.
400
What can be used to decrease your risk of "slipping" out of your wheelchair?
Cushion
Dycem
Foot rests
400
Deficiencies in this vitamin can increase your chance of falls.
Vitamin D
Not only is Vitamin D good for your bone health, but Vitamin D is also found in muscle tissue, and vitamin D deficiency can lead to muscle weakness and pain. Muscle weakness can affect mobility and functional ability, which can increase the risk of falls
400
You start to realize that your eyesight is getting worse, making it harder to see items on the floor in your room. What is dangerous about this and what should you do?
Dangerous because you can't see fall hazards
You should let your nurse know ASAP
400
How many adults fall every year?
A. 8 million
B. 2.5 million
C. 14 million
D. 10 million
14 million
500
Before transferring into your wheelchair, you should make sure...
your wheels are locked, the foot rests are out of the way, and the wheelchair is positioned close to you and on your stronger side.
500
What is the best thing to do if you are unsure of if you should transfer or move about on your own?
Let any staff know!!
500
Name some risks of falling... What can falls result in..
- Falls can cause broken bones, like wrist, arm, ankle, and hip fractures.
- Falls can cause head injuries. These can be very serious, especially if the person is taking certain medicines (like blood thinners). A person who falls and hits their head should see their doctor right away to make sure they don't have a brain injury.
- Many people who fall, even if they're not injured, become afraid of falling. This fear may cause a person to cut down on their everyday activities. When a person is less active, they become weaker and this increases their chances of falling.
500
You are starting to have a harder time locking your wheelchair breaks (reaching them, they're hard to move, or they are not fully locking your wheelchair), what should you do?
Alert nursing, request maintenance to look at your locks, let therapy know!
500
Which state has the highest rate of falls leading to significant medical complications?
A. Alabama
B. Florida
C. Arizona
D. Wisconsin
D. Wisconsin