A-Cute Lesson

Geometry in Health Care

Or

“When will I ever use that in my job?”

Angle measurement beyond your math class…

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

What other reasons might we have for measuring angles in health care?

Patient positioning Fitting assistive devices Alignment of broken bones Traction for orthopedic purposes X-ray interpretation

Let’s see what you already know

What is an angle?Two rays with a common endpoint

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?

The “cute” little angle

Acute 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

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

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 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 range-of-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. 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.

After completing this portion of the assignment, please complete your remaining worksheets individually.