Title: Assist a client/resident/patient with walker and quad cane use.
Course: Nurse Aide II Condensed (14051-II-A) > Section: Developing Basic Nursing Skills

Assistance should include

- ensuring a client/resident/patient is wearing nonskid footwear
- identifying types of walkers (e.g., pick-up walker and wheeled walker)
- inspecting the walker to ensure it has hand grips and rubber tips on legs
- describing walking procedures for the walker
- positioning the walker
- helping a client/resident/patient with standing
- adjusting the walker height so that the hand bar is just below a client's/resident's/patient's waist
- demonstrating walking procedures for the walker with a client/resident/patient
- explaining safety precautions and supervision of a client/resident/patient during practice
- describing the charting procedures
- reviewing cane types
- describing quad cane walking procedures on level surfaces, up and down steps, and when opening doors
- demonstrating quad cane walking procedures with client/resident/patient
- helping a client/resident/patient with standing
- checking rubber safety tips and adjusting the height of quad cane according to a client’s/resident’s/patient’s height
- positioning the quad cane
- explaining safety precautions and supervision of a client/resident/patient during practice
- describing charting procedures.

Refer to Unit XI in Nurse Aide Curriculum (https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/media/dhpweb/docs/nursing/forms/education/NurseAide_Ed_Program_Curriculum.doc), Virginia Board of Nursing, Virginia Department of Health Professions, 2018.

Process/Skill Questions:

- What is the difference between a single tip and a quad tip cane? Why would one be preferable over the other?
- What is the purpose of attaching tennis balls to the front of a walker?
- How should a CNA instruct a client/resident/patient who has just gotten a new cane about foot placement when walking?
- On which side would a patient use an assistive device?