Final answer:
The patient should start walking normally at a pace specified by the examiner on the treadmill to assess their baseline gait before being asked to perform variations for further evaluation of balance and coordination.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before the patient begins a treadmill test, which is often part of an examination for ataxia or balance issues, they should be instructed to walk normally at a pace specified by the examiner. This initial phase is used to observe the patient's baseline gait, including examining the placement of the feet and arm movements.
After successfully walking back and forth to the starting position without any abnormalities, the patient may be asked to perform variations of the walking test, such as tandem gait, or walking on heels or toes to assess different aspects of balance and coordination.
This test is typically used to diagnose or assess conditions such as heart disease or to evaluate a patient's exercise tolerance.