HHA Mobility and Transfer Techniques 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a patient uses a standard walker for ambulation, how far ahead should the walker be advanced with each step?
- As far as the patient can comfortably reach
- About one arm's length, keeping it within a small step (Correct answer)
- Until it touches the wall or next obstacle
- Only a few inches beyond the patient's toes
Correct answer: About one arm's length, keeping it within a small step
Advancing the walker one small step ahead keeps the patient's center of gravity stable and reduces fall risk.
Question 2: A patient has right-sided weakness. In which hand should a standard cane be held?
- Right hand, on the weak side
- Left hand, on the strong side (Correct answer)
- Either hand, based on patient preference
- The dominant hand, regardless of weakness
Correct answer: Left hand, on the strong side
A cane held on the strong side offloads weight from the weak leg during the stance phase of gait.
Question 3: When assisting a patient with a cane to climb stairs, the correct sequence is:
- Weak leg first, then strong leg, then cane
- Cane first, then weak leg, then strong leg
- Strong leg first, then cane, then weak leg (Correct answer)
- Cane and strong leg together, then weak leg
Correct answer: Strong leg first, then cane, then weak leg
Going up stairs: strong leg leads so it does the work of lifting the body up to the next step.
Question 4: The correct handle height for a properly fitted standard walker is at the level of the patient's:
- Hip bone (greater trochanter) with arms slightly bent (Correct answer)
- Waist when standing upright
- Elbow when the arm hangs straight down
- Mid-forearm for maximum leverage
Correct answer: Hip bone (greater trochanter) with arms slightly bent
Walker handles at the hip bone allow 20–30 degrees of elbow flexion, which is the optimal position for safe weight bearing.
Question 5: A patient with a walker approaches a standard threshold. The HHA should instruct the patient to:
- Slide the walker over the threshold first, then step over (Correct answer)
- Step over quickly to reduce time off-balance
- Back over the threshold pulling the walker behind
- Ask for help anytime a threshold is encountered
Correct answer: Slide the walker over the threshold first, then step over
Moving the walker over the threshold first ensures the patient has a stable support ready before stepping.
Question 6: When ambulating a patient with a gait belt, the HHA should position themselves:
- Directly behind the patient holding both belt sides
- Slightly behind and to the patient's weaker side, grasping the belt (Correct answer)
- Directly in front walking backward to face the patient
- Beside the patient on the stronger side with one hand on the belt
Correct answer: Slightly behind and to the patient's weaker side, grasping the belt
Standing slightly behind on the weaker side lets the HHA provide the most effective support if the patient begins to fall.
Question 7: A quad cane provides more stability than a single-point cane primarily because:
- It is heavier and harder to tip
- Its four-point base creates a wider contact area with the floor (Correct answer)
- It can be adjusted to greater heights
- It distributes weight through a longer shaft
Correct answer: Its four-point base creates a wider contact area with the floor
Four contact points on the floor significantly increase the base of support and reduce the chance of the cane slipping.
HHA Mobility and Transfer Techniques 3
When a patient uses a standard walker for ambulation, how far ahead should the walker be advanced with each step?