What it means
The pattern of steps, stride length, speed, balance and arm swing when a person walks. Nurses watch gait to judge fall risk and nerve or muscle problems. A shuffling gait is seen in Parkinson disease, a wide unsteady gait with ataxiauh-TAK-see-uhLoss of control and coordination of body movements, so that movements are clumsy and unsteady.a- withouttax order, arrangement-ia conditionFull entry , and a limp with hip or leg pain.
For the nurse
Watch the client walk before deciding how much help they need. A gait belt is used when helping a client walk; assistive devices include canes and walkerWAW-kerA light metal frame with four legs, with or without wheels, that a person holds while walking for support and balance.Full entry .
In a chart
"Gait steady with walker; ambulated 30 m in hallway with standby assist."
At a glance
| Spanish | marcha |
|---|
Related terms
Parkinson disease
A slowly worsening brain disease in which the nerve cells that help control movement die off.
ambulate
To walk, or to help a client walk.
ataxia
Loss of control and coordination of body movements, so that movements are clumsy and unsteady.
walker
A light metal frame with four legs, with or without wheels, that a person holds while walking for support and balance.