A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a new parent who is concerned about sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

The correct answer is choice b. Three-point.

Choice A rationale:

The four-point gait is used when a client can bear weight on both legs. It involves moving one crutch forward, followed by the opposite leg, then the other crutch, and finally the other leg. This gait provides maximum stability but is not suitable for non-weight-bearing conditions.

Choice B rationale:

The three-point gait is appropriate for clients who cannot bear weight on one leg. In this gait, both crutches and the affected leg move forward together, followed by the unaffected leg. This allows the client to keep weight off the injured leg while moving.

Choice C rationale:

The two-point gait is used when a client can bear partial weight on both legs. It involves moving one crutch and the opposite leg forward simultaneously, followed by the other crutch and leg. This gait is faster than the four-point gait but still provides some stability.

Choice D rationale:

The swing-through gait is used by clients who have good upper body strength and balance. It involves moving both crutches forward together and then swinging both legs forward past the crutches. This gait is not typically recommended for clients who need to keep weight off one leg.

The correct answer is choice A.

Choice A rationale:

Count the client's radial and apical pulses simultaneously with another nurse. Rationale: In the presence of an irregular heart rate, a pulse deficit might indicate a discrepancy between the peripheral (radial) and central (apical) pulses. Counting the pulses simultaneously with another nurse helps to accurately assess this deficit. By comparing the two pulse rates, the nurse can identify if there is a difference, which might indicate inadequate circulation or irregular heartbeats that aren't effectively transmitting to the peripheral arteries.

Choice B rationale:

Calculate the client's pulse for 30 seconds and multiply by 2. Rationale: While calculating the pulse rate for 30 seconds and then multiplying by 2 is a valid method to determine the heart rate, it doesn't address the specific concern of a pulse deficit. This approach might help in assessing the overall heart rate but doesn't provide information about potential irregularities or discrepancies between peripheral and central pulses.

Choice C rationale:

Assist the client to a side-lying position. Rationale: Assisting the client to a side-lying position doesn't directly relate to the assessment of a pulse deficit. The position of the client wouldn't significantly impact the assessment of irregular heart rates or pulse deficits.

Choice D rationale:

Auscultate the area of the client's chest over the Erb's point. Rationale: Auscultating the area of the client's chest over the Erb's point is a technique used to assess heart sounds, particularly the S2 heart sound. This technique is not relevant to assessing a pulse deficit. It can provide information about heart valve function but doesn't help in evaluating a discrepancy between peripheral and central pulses.