The nurse assesses an older adult woman's ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs). When observing the client ambulate, the nurse notes that her posture is upright, and her gait is smooth and steady. Which action should the nurse take next?
Teach the client to shorten the stride to prevent falls.
Record the client's ability to perform ADLs safely.
Initiate a fall risk protocol for the client.
Determine the client's activity tolerance.
The Correct Answer is B
B. Observing the client's upright posture and smooth, steady gait suggests that she is able to ambulate safely without significant risk of falls.
A. This action may be appropriate if the nurse had observed an unsteady or shuffling gait that could increase the risk of falls. However, in this scenario, the nurse has noted that the client's gait is smooth and steady, indicating good balance and stability.
C. The client's upright posture and smooth, steady gait suggest that she has good mobility and balance, which are not indicative of an increased risk of falls.
D. The client's ability to ambulate with an upright posture and smooth, steady gait indicates that she is tolerating activity well. However, the primary focus at this point should be on documenting her functional abilities and assessing her level of independence in performing ADLs safely.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
C. When the computer documentation system freezes, the first action the nurse should take is to notify the information services department of the situation. This allows the IT professionals to address the issue promptly and work on resolving the problem with the computer system.
A. Waiting for the system to reboot may lead to delays in documenting important patient information and could potentially affect the continuity of care. It's important to address the situation promptly to minimize any disruptions in patient care.
B. If the documentation system is unavailable for an extended period, identifying information as a late entry may be necessary to ensure that it is accurately recorded in the patient's record.
However, this should not be the first action taken, as there may be other immediate steps to address the situation.
D. While having a backup EMR is essential, printing it may not be the immediate solution. The focus should be on resolving the system freeze rather than relying solely on a printed backup.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
B. In three-point gait crutch walking, the client should progress to foot touchdown and weight bearing of the affected leg. This means that the client is able to advance the crutches forward, followed by the affected leg, and then the unaffected leg. The weight should be borne primarily by the hands and arms on the crutches while the affected leg supports some weight as tolerated.

A. Bearing body weight on the palms of hands during the crutch gait describes the correct distribution of weight on the crutches, which is important for proper technique, but it does not specifically address the coordination of crutch and leg movements in three-point gait.
C. Practices bicep and triceps isometric exercises is not directly related to proper crutch walking technique but may be beneficial for strengthening the upper extremities, which are involved in using crutches.
D. Inspects crutches to ensure rubber tips are intact is important for safety but does not specifically indicate understanding of proper crutch walking technique.
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