Fundamentals of Nursing Q 62
Mrs. Kennedy had a CVA (cerebrovascular accident) and has a severe right-sided weakness. She has been taught to walk with a cane. The nurse is evaluating her use of the cane prior to discharge. Which of the following reflects the correct use of the cane?
A. Holding the cane in her left hand, Mrs. Kennedy moves the cane forward first, then her right leg, and finally her left leg.
her left leg. B. Holding the cane in her right hand, Mrs. Kennedy moves the cane forward first, then her left leg, and finally her right leg.
C. Holding the cane in her right hand, Mrs. Kennedy moves the cane and her right leg forward then moves her left leg forward.
D. Holding the cane in her left hand, Mrs. Kennedy moves the cane and her left leg forward, then moves her right leg forward.
Correct Answer: A. Holding the cane in her left hand, Mrs. Kennedy moves the cane forward first, then her right leg, and finally her left leg
When a person with weakness on one side uses a cane, there should always be two points of contact with the floor. When Mrs. Kennedy. moves the cane forward, she has both feet on the floor, providing stability. As she moves the weak leg, the cane and the strong leg provide support. Finally, the cane, which is even with the weak leg, provides stability while she moves the strong leg.
Option B: She should not hold the cane with her weak arm. The use of the cane requires arm strength to ensure that the cane provides adequate stability when standing on the weak leg. To go upstairs, use the handrail and step up with the unaffected leg first and follow with the cane and the affected foot together.
Option C: The cane should be held in the left hand, the hand opposite the affected leg. Hold the cane in the hand of the unaffected side. Move the cane and the affected leg forward at the same time, so that the cane helps take the weight of the weak leg. Then step with the unaffected leg.
Option D: If Mrs. Kennedy. moved the cane and her strong foot at the same time, she would be left standing on her weak leg at one point. This would be unstable at best; at worst, impossible. To go downstairs, use the handrail and step down with the affected foot and cane together first and follow with the unaffected foot.