What points would the nurse discuss when teaching cane walking to a client for the first time

This is a quick NCLEX review over canes for nursing students!

Canes are assistive devices used to help a patient ambulate. As the nurse you must know the following material about canes:

• How to tell if the cane properly fits the patient?
• How to ambulate with a cane?
• How to go up and down stairs with a cane?
• How to sit down and get up from a chair with a cane?

Don’t forget to take the quiz about canes after reviewing this material.

Canes NCLEX Nursing Review

Properly Fit?

Before a patient uses a cane for the first time, the cane must be adjusted to the patient’s height. Most canes can be adjusted at the bottom. Below are some key concepts to help you tell if a cane fits your patient properly.

Mains points to remember:

Ambulate?

When a patient is learning how to use a cane, the nurse should apply a gait belt to the patient for safety. In addition, the nurse should stand on the patient’s WEAK side during ambulation.  When a patient is ready to start ambulating with a cane, the patient should place the tip of the cane about 4 inches from the side of the foot.

To walk (ambulate) with a cane, the patient will hold the cane on the STRONG side. Then the patient will move the cane and weak side TOGETHER forward, and then move the strong side. Please watch the video within this article to help you visualize how to walk with a cane.

Up and Down Stairs with a Cane?

Again, be sure you watch the video within these notes to help you visualize how to go up and down the stairs with a cane. The key to understanding what moves first (the good or bad leg) when either going up or down the stairs is to remember:

“Good=UP” and “Bad=Down”

Sitting Down and Getting Up from a Chair?

You may also be interested in: Crutches and Walkers

References:

Allied Health (Physiotherapy), Alberta Health Services. (2015). How to Use a Cane [Ebook]. Retrieved from https://myhealth.alberta.ca/alberta/pages/use-a-cane.aspx