Final answer:
The client with left lower extremity weakness should hold the cane in their right hand to provide support and balance. A wider base of support and a lower center of gravity contribute to stability. Muscle strength assessment can identify potential corticospinal tract deficits.
Step-by-step explanation:
When instructing a client with left lower extremity weakness on how to use a cane, the nurse should advise the client to hold the cane in the hand on the side of their stronger leg. In this case, for a client with weakness in the left leg, the cane should be held in the right hand. This technique provides support for the weaker leg and helps maintain balance.
Stability can be enhanced by increasing the base of support, such as spreading the feet apart while standing. To achieve greater stability, lowering the center of gravity is recommended, which can be done by bending the knees. Devices like canes and crutches help widen the base of support, thus offering increased stability for the user.
When assessing muscle strength, the patient may be asked to contract muscles against resistance. This can reveal any lateral differences in strength indicating potential deficits in the corticospinal tract, which might be a result of conditions that lead to Upper Motor Neuron (UMN) lesions such as cerebral palsy, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), or stroke.