The nurse is assisting a client to learn how to use an aluminum pick up walker to help stabilize her gait after repair of a fractured hip. Which nursing observations of the client's activity would indicate the client understands how to use the walker?
1. Places the walker forward and walks into walker with affected leg first, flexing both arms about 30 degrees
2. Puts the walker in front, leaning into the walker, and takes several small steps, keeping the arms straight
3. Standing straight, moves the walker forward with each step
4. Places the walker in front and swings both legs together to move into walker
Answer: 1
After repair of a fractured hip, the client would have partial weight bearing as tolerated on the affected leg. Arms are flexed 30 degrees when standing in the walker. The walker is advanced and the client steps into the walker with the affected leg first, bearing weight on the walker as the client moves forward. Leaning into walker before taking a step could put the client off balance. Taking small steps forward as the walker is advanced does not provide stability to the injured hip. A swing-through gait is not appropriate for a client with partial weight bearing.
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