Editing Fundamentals of Nursing – LPN Practice Questions (section)

==Question 10==
The licensed practical nurse is reinforcing teaching for a patient learning to use a cane after a left hip injury. Which patient statement indicates correct understanding?
# "I will hold the cane in my left hand and move it with my right leg."
# "I will hold the cane in my right hand, move the cane and my left leg together, then step with my right leg."
# "I will lead with my left leg when I go up the stairs."
# "I will lean forward over the cane to take weight off my hip."

'''Answer:''' 2. Hold the cane in the right hand, move the cane and the left leg together, then step with the right leg.

''Rationale:'' The cane is held on the strong or unaffected side, which with a left hip injury is the right. The cane and the weak leg advance together so they share the load, then the strong leg steps through. Option 1 places the cane on the weak side, which does not offload the injured hip. Option 3 is incorrect because the strong leg leads going up and the weak leg leads going down, remembered as "up with the good, down with the bad." Option 4 shifts the center of gravity forward and increases fall risk; the patient should stand upright with the cane close to the body.