Assisting Your Patent with Ambulation

Assisting Your Patient With Ambulation 

1. Assess the patient's ability to walk before standing. Are they a fall risk? (this will be posted outside the door of the room) Have they fallen in the past?  Do you need another nurse, gait belt, cane or walker? Do they have an IV attached? Does the IV pole move easily? Are they on oxygen? 
2. Explain to the patient what is being done. Describe the distance required to walk, furniture the patient needs to be aware of and ask the patient to tell you when they feel weak or dizzy. 
3. Look at the body language. If they look at their feet this is a sign they are fearful to walk probably because a previous fall. 
4. Have the patient sit erect and dangle their legs off the edge of the bed before ambulating. With prolonged bedrest, they could feel faint. 
5. Before the patient persists make sure they have on non-skid shoes or socks.
6. Before moving make sure the patient is steady. 
7. Always stand on the patients weaker side and place both hands at the waist. 
8. If you're not certain if you could handle the patient alone, then get a two-person assist. 
9. Ensure your patient stands with their weight evenly distributed. A cane is held on the patient's stronger side. 
10. If using a gait belt, grasp the belt from behind the patient and walk slightly to the side of the patient. 
11. Ask questions. Ask how the patient is feeling throughout ambulation. If you suspect weakness then stop and rest.