A 78-year-old man has a history of a cerebrovascular accident. The nurse notes that when he walks, his left arm is immobile against the body with flexion of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and fingers and adduction of the shoulder
His left leg is stiff and extended and circumducts with each step. What type of gait disturbance is this individual experiencing?
a.
Scissors gait
b.
Cerebellar ataxia
c.
Parkinsonian gait
d.
Spastic hemiparesis
ANS: D
With spastic hemiparesis, the arm is immobile against the body. Flexion of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and fingers occurs, and adduction of the shoulder, which does not swing freely, is observed. The leg is stiff and extended and circumducts with each step. Causes of this type of gait include cerebrovascular accident.
You might also like to view...
Nursing students are immune to stress associated with clinical practice
Indicate whether the statement is true or false
Colestipol HCl is most similar in action to:
a. clofibrate. c. probucol. b. cholestyramine. d. dextrothyroxine sodium.
Which was the first formal action the ANA took in relation to gerontological nursing?
a. Established a national geriatric nursing group b. Defined educational standards for geron-tology c. Created the ANA Division of Geriatric Nursing d. Formed the Council of Long Term Care Nurses
The nurse, bathing a client in cool or tepid water, will cause heat loss to occur by:
a. radiation. c. convection. b. conduction. d. respiration.