A nurse is teaching a client how to properly use a walker. Which instruction should the nurse include in the teaching?
1Move the walker forward, step with the stronger leg, then the weaker leg
2Move the walker forward, step with both legs simultaneously
3Move the walker forward first, then step into it with the weaker leg followed by the stronger leg✓ 정답
4Move the walker forward, step with the weaker leg, then the stronger leg
해설
Proper walker technique involves moving the walker forward first, then stepping with the weaker leg, followed by the stronger leg. This sequence provides maximum stability and support.
Clinical Judgment
This question evaluates the nurse's role in teaching proper walker use to an elderly patient who needs mobility assistance due to osteoarthritis. The key is to identify the correct movement sequence that prioritizes patient safety. The standard sequence for walker use is "walker → weak leg → strong leg." This order ensures the walker always acts as a stable base supporting the patient's weight, minimizing the risk of falls.
Memory Tip: Remember the WWS acronym for "Walker, Weak, Strong." Move the walker first, then the weak leg, and finally the strong leg.
KR vs US: The basic principles of walker use (walker first, weak side first) are the same in both Korea and the US. However, in the US, fall prevention and patient safety education are highly systematized, emphasizing specific demonstrations and direct patient performance verification (teach-back) under the nurse's responsibility.
임상 시나리오
Clinical Practice Guide
Checklist for walker use education: 1) Walker height (handles at wrist level when standing), 2) Floor condition (watch out for carpets, electrical cords), 3) Proper footwear (non-slip), 4) Avoid loose clothing. When the patient arrives home, the home environment (door thresholds, bathroom) should also be assessed.
Caution: In SATA (Select All That Apply) questions, incorrect methods such as "moving the walker too far forward" or "leaning on the walker while walking" may be presented as wrong answer choices. Even if the question asks you to select only one correct sequence, it is important to understand why the other choices are dangerous.
핵심 개념
Walker (보행기) — A type of mobility aid with a four-legged frame structure that provides stability and support when the patient stands and walks.
Osteoarthritis (골관절염) — The most common form of arthritis caused by degenerative changes in the articular cartilage, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion in the joint.
Gait Training (보행 훈련) — Therapeutic intervention that teaches safe and efficient walking methods, including the use of assistive devices such as walkers and canes.
Weight-Bearing (체중 부하) — The force of body weight placed on bones and joints when standing or walking. Using a walker helps reduce weight-bearing on the weaker leg.
Fall Prevention (낙상 예방) — This refers to all nursing and safety interventions to prevent fall accidents in patients, especially elderly patients or those with mobility impairments.