A nurse is caring for a patient who has left hemiparesis after a stroke. To avoid the risk of disuse syndrome, the nurse should do which of the following?
Explanation
• The nurse should assist with passive and active ROM and with using boots to prevent foot drop.
• Use of boots (foot positioning aids) can reduce the risk of foot drop.
• Passive and active ROM (as tolerated) of the affected areas will help the patient to preserve function and mobility.
• The patient should be encouraged to use the weak side (which is the left, not the right) for ADLs as much as tolerated to promote a return to function.