Final answer:
The most appropriate intervention for safe ambulation for a patient with Parkinson's disease is to provide non-skid socks and a walker for support. This addresses the patient's balance and posture issues, reducing the risk of falls associated with the disease's common symptoms like shuffling walk and postural instability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse is caring for a patient with Parkinson's disease. Which of the following is an appropriate intervention for safe ambulation for this patient? The most suitable option for ensuring safe ambulation in a patient with Parkinson's disease would be to provide non-skid socks and give the patient their walker. This intervention caters to the patient's needs for stability and support while minimizing the risk of falls caused by the characteristic slow, hunched, shuffling walk associated with the disease.
Patients with Parkinson's disease often suffer from motor signs such as tremor, muscle rigidity, slowness of movement, and postural instability. These symptoms can significantly impair their balance and walking ability, making ambulation challenging. By providing non-skid socks, the nurse helps to prevent slipping, and the walker offers structural support that can compensate for the patient's impaired balance and posture, promoting safer and more confident mobility. While other interventions, like walking side-by-side or using a wheelchair for support, might also be helpful, the combination of non-skid socks and a walker directly addresses the typical movement issues faced by those with Parkinson's.