Question

A client in the emergency department has a suspected neurologic disorder. To assess gait, the nurse asks the client to take a few steps; with each step, the client's feet make a half circle. To document the client's gait, the nurse should use which term?

a) Helicopod
b) Dystrophic
c) Ataxic
d) Steppage

Answer 1

The right answer is A

Answer 2

The nurse should use the term 'Ataxic' to document a client's gait that involves feet making a half circle with each step, indicative of a neurological disorder related to cerebellar damage.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct term to document the client's gait where the feet make a half circle with each step is c) Ataxic.

An ataxic gait is a classic presentation of a neurological disorder characterized by a lack of muscle coordination during voluntary movements such as walking. This condition is often associated with cerebellar damage, causing unsteady and uncoordinated walk. When testing gait and balance, nurses and doctors look for abnormal movements and placements of the feet. A person with ataxia may have a staggering, lurching gait that often involves walking with the feet placed unusually far apart. This is because the coordination problems that accompany cerebellar damage may make it difficult for the person to place their feet correctly, leading to a broad-based gait to compensate for the lack of balance and coordination.

Examining the gait is a critical aspect of a neurological exam, as it helps in assessing the functions of the cerebellum and the descending pathways in the spinal cord. Since the cerebellum coordinates proprioceptive, vestibular, and visual information, issues with balance during station tests or a wide stance may also suggest problems with cerebellar function.