Purpose and basics
What is the primary purpose of using a cane?
What is to improve balance, stability, and reduce weight on an injured or weak leg?
When standing straight with arms relaxed at the sides, where should the top handle of the cane reach?
What is the crease of the wrist (or greater trochanter of the hip)?
What rubber piece on the bottom of the cane prevents slipping and must be routinely checked for wear?
What is the rubber tip (or ferrule)?
True or False: You should hold the cane on your weak side to give that leg extra support.
What is False
What does ergonomics mean?
What is Changing equipment or your space so you don’t get hurt.
On which side of the body should a patient hold a cane?
What is on the strong (unaffected) side?
When holding the cane, what angle should the user’s elbow be bent at?
What is approximately 15 to 30 degrees?
What household hazard should be removed from floors to prevent trips and falls while using a cane?
What are throw rugs, loose cords, or clutter?
What is the danger of setting a cane handle too high for the user?
What is it causes shoulder elevation, muscle fatigue, and poor leverage?
Why is setting a cane to the right height an example of ergonomics?
It prevents wrist, shoulder, and back pain.
How does holding a cane on the strong side help the user?
What is it widens the base of support and allows the cane to move with the weak leg to absorb body weight?
When walking, which moves forward first: the cane or the weak leg?
What is the cane moves forward at the same time as (or just before) the weak leg?
What phrase helps patients remember how to navigate stairs with a cane?
What is "Up with the good, down with the bad"?
Why should a user NEVER lean all of their body weight onto a single-point cane when standing up from a chair?
What is the cane can slip or tip over, causing a fall (users should push off the chair armrests instead)?
How does good posture help a healthcare worker teaching a patient?
It stops the worker from hurting their own back.
What is it widens the base of support and allows the cane to move with the weak leg to absorb body weight?
What is a quad cane (four-pronged cane)?
When taking a step forward with the strong leg, where should it land relative to the weak leg?
What is past the weak leg (a normal step forward)?
When going UP stairs using a cane and a handrail, which leg steps up onto the step first?
What is the strong (unaffected) leg?
What mistake is being made if a patient steps onto a stair with their weak leg first when climbing UP?
What is improper stair technique (they are putting full weight on the weak leg without adequate support)?
What major health concern from your notes does good ergonomics prevent?
Accidents and injuries.