A nurse is instructing the patient care assistants on transfer techniques...?

Question

For patients requiring more assistants, the nurse tells the PCA's to reach through the client's axillae, and place their hands on the clients scapulae during transfer. She tells them to avoid placing hands or pressure on the axillae area. Why should the axillae be avoided?

Answer 1

The axillae area is an unprotected area, there is no bony structure to protect it.  In the area are blood vessels, nerves tendons, lymph nodes.  By putting pressure here damage can occur.

Also in someone with little muscle structure, you can dislocate the shoulder.

An example:  Someone on crutches is instructed to put their weight on their hands and not to place the end of the crutch in their axillary area.  Nerves to the arms can occur.