Final answer:
A nurse should not stand across the room during a Romberg test but rather close to the patient for safety, as the test is used to assess proprioception and balance without visual cues. A wide stance in balance tests may indicate cerebellar dysfunction.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is false that a nurse should stand across the room from a client during a Romberg test. During the Romberg test, the nurse or examiner should stand close to the patient to ensure safety, as the patient's eyes are closed and balance is being assessed without visual cues. The test assesses proprioception and balance, relying on the proprioceptive stimuli from joints and muscles and the vestibular system in the inner ear to maintain upright posture. A wide stance during a balance test like the one for station may suggest problems with cerebellar function as it indicates an increased need for stability which could be due to issues in coordinating proprioceptive, vestibular, and visual information in the cerebellum.