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How would you document the uncoordinated irregular gait of your client?

User Thinkeye
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

To document a client's uncoordinated irregular gait, observe and describe their walking during different subtests, including regular walking, tandem gait, and walking on heels or toes. Balance tests while hopping on one foot can further assess coordination. Note any ataxia or proprioceptive deficits.

Step-by-step explanation:

To document the uncoordinated irregular gait of a client, a detailed observation during a neurological or coordination exam should be conducted. This includes several subtests such as having the patient walk normally away from and then back to the examiner to check for abnormal foot placement and arm movements. The tandem gait test, where the patient walks heel-to-toe in a straight line, and tests of walking on heels or toes can also reveal balance issues. Observing a patient's ability to maintain balance and posture while performing tasks like hopping on one foot helps in assessing coordination.

Instances of ataxia, which may present as uncoordinated movements, can be evidenced during the gait analysis. Documentation should include descriptions of any deviations or irregularities observed, comparisons to the expected normal gait, and the patient's ability to perform variations in walking tasks. Possible observations might also include a stooped posture or changes in balance that hint at proprioceptive deficits, as seen in conditions such as Parkinson's disease.

User Thomas Fauskanger
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