TRINITY VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE



TRINITY VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING

RNSG 1216

PROCEDURE GUIDE AND CHECK-OFF SHEET

CANE USE

A cane may be on a temporary or permanent basis for patients with orthopedic or neurological injuries. Upper body strength and balance need to be assessed.

Delegation: This procedure may be delegated to unlicensed assistive personnel. Evaluations and instructions must be completed by a nurse.

| Procedure | Scientific Rationale |

|The following equipment is needed for this skill: | |

|gait belt |a. Helps to guide patient and provides support. |

|cane with rubber tips on end (straight cane, quad cane, or hemicane) |b. Prevents cane from slipping. Straight cane offers least support. |

| | |

|c. supportive shoes with non-skid soles. |c. Prevents feet from slipping. |

|Inspect condition of cane: rubber tips in place, without cracks. |Ensures safety. |

|Assess patient’s upper body and hand strength, ROM in arms. |Toned arm muscles and upper body strength is required to use cane. |

|Teach patient importance of exercising arms. |Arms are used to support weight of body. |

|Measure cane to fit patient based on height: When properly fitted, |Ensures safety. |

|the elbow should be slightly flexed when hand is resting on cane. | |

|Help patient to standing position by using a gait belt. Note: Refer to|Ensures safety. |

|transfer from bed to chair procedure. | |

|Have patient place cane in hand opposite from weaker leg (if R leg |Cane should be kept on the stronger side of the body to obtain maximum support |

|weaker, place cane in L hand) |when walking. |

|Have patient step forward with weaker leg and swing cane forward at |The patient should be encouraged to stand up straight and look forward. Leaning |

|same time. |to one side or looking down can jeopardize safety and cause poor posture. |

|b. Bearing weight partly on weaker leg, and partly on cane, have | |

|patient swing stronger leg forward. | |

|Document mobility and patient’s tolerance of procedure. |All data must be entered in patient’s record. |

N:ADN/ADN Syllabus/CBC Curriculum/Level I/1216/Performance Checklist for Basic Skills - Cane Use Reviewed 04/16

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