COPE Health Scholar Skills Exam
Question And Answers
Skill A: Ambulating a Patient
Supplies - CORRECT ANSWER-Non-skid shoes or socks
Assistive devices, ie canes, walkers (optional)
Skill A: Ambulating a Patient
Requirements - CORRECT ANSWER-RN/PT approval and direction
Appropriate Rail Adjustment
Fall Risk - CORRECT ANSWER-A designation assigned to a patient whose stability is
of concern in order to prevent falls from occurring
Skill A: Ambulating a Patient
Process in 16 Steps - CORRECT ANSWER-1. AIDET & SKAHI
2. Gather all supplies
3. Perform Hand Hygiene and apply GLOVES to assist patient out of bed. Provide
appropriate assistive device as instructed by patient's RN.
4. ASSESS
a- ask patient when he/she last walked (was it in the last 12 hours?)
b- check to see if they are designated as a "Fall-Risk" patient (yellow wristband, yellow
falling star outside of patient's room)
c-ensure patient is wearing non-skid shoes or socks
d-identify catheters or monitor leads connected to patient
e-ensure the wheels of the bed are locked
5. Adjust the bed height in order to allow for proper body mechanics.
-Raise the head of the Bed so the patient is in Fowler's Position.
6. Utilize the Swivel Technique to guide the patient so they are sitting on the side of the
bed. ASK HOW THEY ARE DOING. DIZZY?
7. While supporting the patient (with hand on side furthest from the bed) lower the bed
all the way and ask patient to move to the edge of the bed until his/her feet are firmly
planted on the ground. ASK HOW THEY ARE DOING
8. Can you please widen your stance for me? Stand in front of the patient and place one
foot between the patient's feet.
9. Flex your knees slightly maintaining your base of support
, 10. Ask the patient to place their hands on the bed to help push up, place your hand
around and on the patient's hips.
11. Count to three and slowly stand up with the patient ASK HOW THEY ARE DOING
12. Turn them around so that you are shoulder-to-shoulder and arm-to-arm position.
Walk next to the patient and slightly behind.
a. Hands can be placed on patient's lower back and on/under their arm to better support
the patient.
13. If the patient has an IV line or catheter ask the nurse for assistance in getting the
patient unhooked, out of the bed, an properly set up for ambulation.
14. Have the patient use the IV Pole for
What do you report to the patient's RN after ambulating? - CORRECT ANSWER-
Distance walked and patient's tolerance to mobility
Skill A: Ambulating a Patient
Providing an assisted fall - CORRECT ANSWER-If patient indicates he/she is feeling
dizzy:
1.call out for assistance
2.guide the patient to the nearest sitting location
If patient indicates that he/she is going to fall:
1.call out for assistance
2.guide patient down by lowering him/her to the floor
a-keep a tight core and neutral spine.
b-bend at the knees and guide to floor holding on to his/her core to direct their fall.
c-protect patient's head and neck. keep your hands under their head until help arrives
and they place their hands their instead. NEVER LEAVE PATIENT ALONE
d-patient falls are incidents and must be reported as such
what should you not do? - CORRECT ANSWER-do not attempt to stop the fall or try to
hold the patient up
do not leave the patient
do not attempt to bring the patient back up or reposition them once fallen
Skill A: Ambulating a Patient
(Restrictions)
DO NOT AMBULATE IF - CORRECT ANSWER-1. patient has not walked since being
admitted to current floor
2. patient has not walked in more than 12 hours
3. patient is designated as a "fall risk" patient
4. you feel that you would be unable to provide support in the event of a fall
Question And Answers
Skill A: Ambulating a Patient
Supplies - CORRECT ANSWER-Non-skid shoes or socks
Assistive devices, ie canes, walkers (optional)
Skill A: Ambulating a Patient
Requirements - CORRECT ANSWER-RN/PT approval and direction
Appropriate Rail Adjustment
Fall Risk - CORRECT ANSWER-A designation assigned to a patient whose stability is
of concern in order to prevent falls from occurring
Skill A: Ambulating a Patient
Process in 16 Steps - CORRECT ANSWER-1. AIDET & SKAHI
2. Gather all supplies
3. Perform Hand Hygiene and apply GLOVES to assist patient out of bed. Provide
appropriate assistive device as instructed by patient's RN.
4. ASSESS
a- ask patient when he/she last walked (was it in the last 12 hours?)
b- check to see if they are designated as a "Fall-Risk" patient (yellow wristband, yellow
falling star outside of patient's room)
c-ensure patient is wearing non-skid shoes or socks
d-identify catheters or monitor leads connected to patient
e-ensure the wheels of the bed are locked
5. Adjust the bed height in order to allow for proper body mechanics.
-Raise the head of the Bed so the patient is in Fowler's Position.
6. Utilize the Swivel Technique to guide the patient so they are sitting on the side of the
bed. ASK HOW THEY ARE DOING. DIZZY?
7. While supporting the patient (with hand on side furthest from the bed) lower the bed
all the way and ask patient to move to the edge of the bed until his/her feet are firmly
planted on the ground. ASK HOW THEY ARE DOING
8. Can you please widen your stance for me? Stand in front of the patient and place one
foot between the patient's feet.
9. Flex your knees slightly maintaining your base of support
, 10. Ask the patient to place their hands on the bed to help push up, place your hand
around and on the patient's hips.
11. Count to three and slowly stand up with the patient ASK HOW THEY ARE DOING
12. Turn them around so that you are shoulder-to-shoulder and arm-to-arm position.
Walk next to the patient and slightly behind.
a. Hands can be placed on patient's lower back and on/under their arm to better support
the patient.
13. If the patient has an IV line or catheter ask the nurse for assistance in getting the
patient unhooked, out of the bed, an properly set up for ambulation.
14. Have the patient use the IV Pole for
What do you report to the patient's RN after ambulating? - CORRECT ANSWER-
Distance walked and patient's tolerance to mobility
Skill A: Ambulating a Patient
Providing an assisted fall - CORRECT ANSWER-If patient indicates he/she is feeling
dizzy:
1.call out for assistance
2.guide the patient to the nearest sitting location
If patient indicates that he/she is going to fall:
1.call out for assistance
2.guide patient down by lowering him/her to the floor
a-keep a tight core and neutral spine.
b-bend at the knees and guide to floor holding on to his/her core to direct their fall.
c-protect patient's head and neck. keep your hands under their head until help arrives
and they place their hands their instead. NEVER LEAVE PATIENT ALONE
d-patient falls are incidents and must be reported as such
what should you not do? - CORRECT ANSWER-do not attempt to stop the fall or try to
hold the patient up
do not leave the patient
do not attempt to bring the patient back up or reposition them once fallen
Skill A: Ambulating a Patient
(Restrictions)
DO NOT AMBULATE IF - CORRECT ANSWER-1. patient has not walked since being
admitted to current floor
2. patient has not walked in more than 12 hours
3. patient is designated as a "fall risk" patient
4. you feel that you would be unable to provide support in the event of a fall
