Transcript A-Cute Lesson

A-Cute Lesson
Geometry in Health Care
Or
“When will I ever use that in my
job?”
Angle measurement
beyond your math
class…
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Although we may not often
think of what we’re doing in
terms of geometry, today you
will see that geometry
presents itself frequently in
the health care setting.
Extension deficits
This patient has recently
undergone total knee
replacement. As the care giver
it is your responsibility to
document loss of motion
postoperatively. A loss of
motion is not a desirable
outcome and one that we would
like to avoid. It is important that
we keep track of the patient’s
“range of motion” to avoid
complications.
How it all applies…
It is often critical that we have
good documentation of
progress or lack of progress
in our patients. Today we will
learn to apply that knowledge
to our practice of providing
good health care.
Measuring Angles in
Health Care
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What other reasons might we
have for measuring angles in
health care?
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Patient positioning
Fitting assistive devices
Alignment of broken bones
Traction for orthopedic purposes
X-ray interpretation
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Let’s see what you
already know
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What is an angle?
Two rays with a common endpoint
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What is a ray?
A piece of a line that has a definite
beginning point & no endpoint. It
goes on forever…
What are the Four
Classifications of
Angles?
Acute Angle
The “cute” little angle
Right Angle – The
corner of a square
Obtuse Angle – the
“obese” BIG angle
Straight Angle – a line
The Protractor & the
Goniometer
When measuring angles in
geometry we use a
protractor. In health care we
utilize the goniometer. This
instrument accomplishes the
same task, but makes our job
easier. Can you see why?
Angle Measurement
with a Protractor
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Reading a protractor requires
positioning the midpoint of
the protractor over the vertex
of an angle and aligning the
base of the protractor along
one ray of the angle with the
0 degree mark.
The measurement of the
angle is read where the
second ray crosses the scale
of the protractor reading up
from 0.
Parts of the
Goniometer
Protractor vs.
Goniometer
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How are the two instruments
similar and how are they
different?
They both measure the degree of
an angle. The protractor is
designed for the rays to be
stationary when measuring, while
the goniometer is designed so
that either of the rays can be
movable.
Using the Goniometer
To Track Range of
Motion
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1. Position joint in zero position.
2. Hold the center of the goniometer
(vertex) over the joint. Align the arms
of the goniometer with the distal and
proximal bones adjacent to that joint.
3. Hold the arms of the goniometer in
place while the joint is moved through
its range of motion.
5. When the joint cannot move any
further, measure the angle on the
goniometer. The degree between the
endpoints represents the entire rangeof-motion.
Visualizing your own
angles
Show an example of each of the four angle
classifications using your arms as the device
with the vertex of the angle being your elbow.
straight
angle-is the
arm straight
out
obtuse angle-is
from the
straight
position to
maximum
elbow flexion
Building Your Own
Goniometer
Putting your
handmade or actual
goniometer to use.
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Using a standard walker, cane,
crutches, hemi-walker etc. each
pair of student will fit the assistive
device to their partner. Estimate
25-30 degree elbow flexion.
Next use your homemade
goniometer to measure the
actual elbow flexion.
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After completing this portion of
the assignment, please complete
your remaining worksheets
individually.