NUR 120 Patient Centered Care Activity: Teaching the client to use to use crutches, a cane or a walkers
The student nurse is caring for three clients today. Using instructions from your text, create a teaching
plan for each client. Include in each of these how they would go up and down their front porch steps.
1. The 17 year old client has broken their left leg. List 4-6 interventions you would include when
teaching this client how to safely use their crutches.
a. Move both crutches forward and then swing both legs forward to the same point as the
crutches.
b. When going up stairs move the “good” or uninjured leg up onto the step first and then
move the “bad” or injured leg and crutches up onto the step. GOOD=UP.
c. When going down the stairs, move both crutches down onto the step and then move the
“bad” or injured leg down and then move the “good” or injured leg down. BAD=DOWN.
d. When sitting down back up to the chair until you feel the chair with the back of your
uninjured leg. Then move the crutches to the injured side and grab the hand grips of the
crutches for support. Keep the injured leg out and bend the uninjured leg. Grab the chairs
arm and sit down. Keep the injured leg out.
e. When getting up, keep the injured leg extended out forward and put both crutches on the
injured side and grip the hand grips of the crutches. Then lean forward and push up with the
arm of the non-injured side on the chairs seat. Once standing, put crutches in the tripod
position.
2. The 56-year-old client has had their knee replaced and must use a cane while healing. List 4-6
interventions you would include when teaching this client how to safely use their cane.
a. When walking, hold the cane on the strong side. Then move the cane and the weak side
together forward, and then move the strong side.
b. When going up the stairs, move the “good” leg up onto the step first and then move the bad
leg and cane up onto the step. GOOD=UP.
NUR 120 Patient Centered Care Activity: Teaching the client to use to use crutches, a cane or a walkers
c. When going down the stairs, move the cane down onto the step and then move the “bad”
leg down and then move the “good” leg down. BAD=DOWN.
d. When sitting down, back up to the chair until you feel the chair with the backs of your legs.
Then set the cane on the side of the chair and grab the arm rests on the chair. You’re your
strong leg and leave the weak leg slightly extended and sit down.
e. When getting up, place the cane on the strong side and keep the weak leg slightly extended
out. Then lean forward out of the chair and push down on the cane’s hand grip and chair’s
arm rest. Then put weight on the strong leg and stand in position with the cane.
3. The 83-year-old client has been experiencing weakness and decreased balance. List 4-6
interventions you would include when teaching this client how to safely use their walker.
a.
When walking, lift and move the walker forward. Make sure all four tips of the walker’s legs
are touching the ground before taking the next step. Move the weak side forward. Put
weight on hand grips with hands. Then move your strong side.
b. When sitting down, back up to the chair until you feel the chair with the back of your legs.
Then slightly extend the weak leg and bend the strong leg while feeling for the chairs arm
rests. Once the arm rests are found, start to sit down while bending the strong leg and
extending the weak leg.
c. When getting up, place the walker in front of you. Then lean forwards and you’re your weak
leg extended out, and place hands on arm rests of chair. Push up on the chair and stand with
the strong leg. Once standing grip the walker and begin to ambulate.
d.
Do not look at your feet when walking, look up. This could lead to an injury or a fall.
e. It is not recommended to go up and down the stairs with a walker due to safety issues. Use
a safer way to go to different levels.