Question

A nurse is caring for a client who has homonymous hemianopsia as a result of a stroke. To reduce the risk of falls when ambulating, the nurse should provide which of the following instructions to the client?

a) Look straight ahead while walking
b) Use a cane in the unaffected hand
c) Walk close to the wall for support
d) Turn the head quickly to scan the environment

Answer 1

The nurse should instruct the client with homonymous hemianopsia to turn the head to scan the environment while walking to compensate for the loss of peripheral vision and prevent falls.

Step-by-step explanation:

To reduce the risk of falls when ambulating a client with homonymous hemianopsia, a condition where there is loss of half of the field of vision on the same side in both eyes, the nurse should instruct the client to turn the head to scan the environment while walking. This method helps compensate for the loss of peripheral vision and allows the client to detect obstacles or changes in terrain that could lead to falls. Using a cane in the unaffected hand, walking close to the wall for support, or looking straight ahead won't sufficiently address the visual deficits posed by homonymous hemianopsia and may not effectively reduce the risk of falls.