A nurse is planning to assist a client who has left-sided weakness to ambulate using a gait belt. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?
A.
Walk on the client’s right side.
B.
Instruct the client to look down at their feet when ambulating.
C.
Have the client sit on the side of the bed for at least 60 seconds before ambulating.
D.
Place the gait belt securely around the client’s lower chest.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is A. Walk on the client’s right side.
Explanation:
When assisting a client with left-sided weakness to ambulate using a gait belt, it is crucial to ensure safety and provide appropriate support. Here’s why walking on the client’s right side is the best approach:
- Support for Weakness: The client has left-sided weakness, which means their left side is weaker and less stable. By walking on the client’s right side, the nurse can offer more support and assistance to the weaker side, helping to stabilize and balance the client as they walk. The nurse can use their body to provide extra support and prevent falls, particularly since the left side of the client might not be able to support their weight as effectively.
- Gait Belt Placement: The gait belt should be placed around the client’s waist, not the lower chest. This placement allows for proper handling and control during ambulation. Placing the belt too high, around the lower chest, can interfere with the client’s breathing and also provide less effective support for their torso and pelvis.
- Client Safety and Comfort: Instructing the client to look down at their feet is not advisable as it can lead to a loss of balance and potential falls. Instead, clients should be encouraged to look forward while walking. This helps in maintaining proper posture and balance. Additionally, having the client sit on the side of the bed for at least 60 seconds before ambulating can help prevent orthostatic hypotension but is not a specific reason to aid in the ambulation process with a gait belt.
To summarize, walking on the client’s right side provides the necessary support to compensate for the weakness on their left side. Proper placement of the gait belt around the waist ensures effective support and safety during ambulation.