Certified Medical Assistant Practice Exam

To ensure proper ambulation, a walker should be level with the patient's

1. Head

2. Knees

3. Hips

4. Shoulders

The correct answer is: Hips

The correct choice is to have the walker level with the patient's hips because this positioning ensures the patient can maintain proper posture and balance while using the walker. When the walker is at hip level, it allows the patient to stand upright, which promotes alignment of the body and helps in distributing weight evenly. This alignment is crucial for maintaining stability and preventing falls during ambulation. If the walker is too high, such as at shoulder level, it can cause the patient to lean forward, which may lead to an increased risk of falling and can strain the shoulders and back. Conversely, if the walker is too low, at knee level, it would not provide the necessary support for balance and could force the patient to bend down, which is not ideal for stability or comfort during walking. Therefore, positioning the walker at hip level strikes a balance, facilitating safe and effective ambulation.