The nurse is assisting a patient with ambulation after a femur fracture. When educating the patient on safe walker use, the nurse should provide the following instructions:

"Ensure all four tips or wheels of the walker are on the ground before putting your weight on it."
"Move the walker, step with the affected leg first, followed by the unaffected leg."
"The walker handles should be adjusted to the height of your hips, and elbows should be slightly bent when grasping them."

Explanation

• The walker should be moved first, followed by a step forward with the affected leg, then a step with the unaffected leg.

• The walker should have all four tips or wheels on the ground and the patient should be looking ahead when they take steps forward to avoid hazards.

• The walker should be adjusted to ensure the handles are in line with the hips and that elbows are slightly bent when grasping them.

• The other answer choices do not describe the proper use of a walker.

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