When assisting a patient with a cane, which side should the nurse stand on?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Standing on the side opposite the patient's weaker leg when assisting with a cane provides optimal support, as the cane is typically held on the stronger side to bear weight, while the nurse stabilizes the weaker side. Standing opposite the stronger leg reduces assistance where it's most needed. Any side ignores biomechanics, risking imbalance. Directly in front obstructs the path and hinders movement. This positioning leverages the cane's role as a weight-bearing aid, ensuring safety and confidence during ambulation, a critical nursing consideration for mobility-impaired patients.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: A footboard maintains proper alignment of the legs and feet by preventing foot drop where toes point downward from prolonged bed rest preserving dorsiflexion and reducing contracture risk. Comfort might improve indirectly, but alignment is the goal. Restricting movement isn't accurate it prevents deformity, not mobility itself. Decoration is irrelevant; it's functional. Nurses position it to support the soles, countering gravity's pull on immobile patients, ensuring long-term musculoskeletal health and aiding future ambulation.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Respecting the patient's cultural preferences and privacy ensures dignity and comfort during hygiene tasks, acknowledging beliefs (e.g., modesty) and personal boundaries. Prioritizing nurse convenience neglects patient-centered care, reducing trust. Weekly hygiene risks infection and discomfort daily care is standard. Speeding through sacrifices quality and sensitivity, potentially distressing the patient. Nurses ask about preferences, use privacy measures like curtains, and adapt techniques, balancing hygiene needs with respect, a key aspect of culturally competent, compassionate care.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: A gait belt provides stability and support during ambulation by giving the nurse a secure grip to steady or catch a patient, reducing fall risk without limiting steps. Restricting movement isn't the goal it aids, not hinders, walking. Encouraging unassisted walking defeats its purpose; it's for support. Lifting off the ground misuses it belts assist, not hoist. Nurses fasten it snugly around the waist, using it to guide safely, enhancing mobility confidence in weak or unsteady patients.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Ensuring the bedside commode is properly positioned and stable promotes safety by preventing tipping or falls, critical for patients with limited mobility. Out-of-reach placement hinders access, risking unsafe attempts. Unassisted use invites accidents if strength fails. A filled bucket destabilizes and spills, creating hazards. Nurses place it close, lock wheels, and assist as needed, guaranteeing a secure setup for toileting, blending accessibility with protection in daily care.