Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills: A Nursing Process Approach

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Copyright © 2011 by Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills:

Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills:
A Nursing Process Approach, 3rd edition

Name Date

Unit Position

Instructor/Evaluator: Position

SKILL 9-9

Assisting a Patient With Ambulation

Using Crutches

Goal:The patient ambulates safely without experiencing falls

or injury. Comments

1. Review the medical record and nursing plan of care for con-
   ditions that may influence the patient’s ability to move and
   ambulate. Assess for tubes, IV lines, incisions, or equipment
   that may alter the procedure for ambulation. Assess the
   patient’s knowledge and previous experience regarding the
   use of crutches. Determine that the appropriate size crutch
   has been obtained.


2. Perform hand hygiene. Put on PPE, if indicated.


3. Identify the patient. Explain the procedure to the patient.
   Tell the patient to report any feelings of dizziness, weakness,
   or shortness of breath while walking. Decide how far to
   walk.
   4.Encourage the patient to make use of the stand-assist
   device, if available. Assist the patient to stand erect, face
   forward in the tripod position. This means the patient
   holds the crutches 12 inches in front of and 12 inches to
   the side of each foot.


4. For the four-point gait:
   a. Have the patient move the right crutch forward 12 inches
   and then move the left foot forward to the level of the
   right crutch.
   b. Then have the patient move the left crutch forward
   12 inches and then move the right foot forward to the
   level of the left crutch.


5. For the three-point gait:
   a. Have the patient move the affected leg and both crutches
   forward about 12 inches.
   b. Have the patient move the stronger leg forward to the
   level of the crutches.


6. For the two-point gait:
   a. Have the patient move the left crutch and the right foot
   forward about 12 inches at the same time.
   b. Have the patient move the right crutch and left leg for-
   ward to the level of the left crutch at the same time.

ExcellentSatisfactoryNeeds Practice