PROCEDURE 54 3 Teaching a Patient How to Use a Cane

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P R O C E D U R E 543 Teaching a Patient How to Use a Cane

Goal To teach a patient how to use a cane safely.

OSHAGuidelines This procedure does not involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues.

Materials A cane suited to the patient's needs.

Method

Step Number Procedure

Points Possible

Standing from a Sitting Position

1.

Instruct the patient to slide his buttocks to the edge of the chair.

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2.

Tell the patient to place his right foot slightly behind and inside the right front leg

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of the chair and his left foot slightly behind and inside the left front leg of the chair.

(This provides him with a wide, stable stance.)*

3.

Instruct the patient to lean forward and use the armrests or seat of the chair to

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push upward. Caution the patient not to lean on the cane.*

4.

Have the patient position the cane for support on the uninjured or strong side of

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his body, as indicated.

Walking

1.

Teach the patient to hold the cane on the uninjured or strong side of her body with

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the tip(s) of the cane 4 to 6 inches from the side and in front of her strong foot.

Remind the patient to make sure the tip is flat on the ground.

2.

Have the patient move the cane forward approximately 8 inches and then move

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her affected foot forward, parallel to the cane.*

3.

Next, have the patient move her strong leg forward past the cane and her weak

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leg.*

4.

Observe as the patient repeats this process.

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Ascending Stairs

1.

Instruct the patient to always start with his uninjured or strong leg when going up

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stairs.

2.

Advise the patient to keep the cane on the uninjured or strong side of his body

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and to use the wall or rail, if available, for support on the weak side. If a rail is not

available, the patient may need assistance for safety.*

3.

After the patient steps on the strong leg, instruct him to bring up his weak leg and

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then the cane.*

4.

Remind the patient not to rush.

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Descending Stairs

1.

Instruct the patient to always start with her weak leg when going down stairs.

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2.

Advise the patient to keep the cane on the uninjured or strong side of her body

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and to use the wall or rail, if available, for support on the weak side. If a rail is not

available, the patient may need assistance for safety.*

Points Earned

(continued)

Copyright ? 2014 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Chapter 54: Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation 1

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Step Number Procedure

3.

Have the patient use the uninjured or strong leg and wall or rail to support her

body, put the cane on the next step, and bend the strong leg as she lowers the

weak leg to the next step.*

4.

Instruct the patient to step down with the strong leg.

Walking on Snow or Ice

1.

Suggest the patient try a metal ice-gripping cane or a ski pole. These can be dug

into the snow or ice to prevent slipping. Instruct the patient to avoid walking on

ice unless absolutely necessary.

Total Points

Points Possible

7

Points Earned

5 4

100

0.00

CAAHEP Competencies Achieved XI. C (10) Identify principles of body mechanics and ergonomics

ABHES Competencies Achieved 5. (b) Identify and respond appropriately when working/caring for patients with special needs 9. (q) Instruct patients with special needs

Copyright ? 2014 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

2 Chapter 54: Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

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