The nurse teaches a patient who is alert and oriented to use a cane for left leg weakness. Which does the nurse include in patient teaching?
a. Use a firm grip to grasp the cane with the right hand.
b. Place the cane about 30.5 cm (12 inches) in front of the right leg.
c. Distribute weight evenly between the cane and the left leg.
d. Move the right leg forward first, the cane next, and left leg last.
A
The nurse instructs the patient to hold the cane on the unaffected, or right, side to broaden the patient's base of support because using the unaffected side offers more support. The cane should be placed 15 to 25 cm (6 to 10 inches) in front of the unaffected leg. The patient is instructed to distribute the body weight between both legs, to begin walking by moving the affected leg first to be even with the cane, and then to move the unaffected leg forward past the cane. This method provides support for the affected leg with the cane, and realigns the patient's center of gravity.
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