A CNA is assigned to ambulate a resident who had a recent stroke and uses a walker. The resident care plan states contact guard assistance. Where should the CNA stand?
Answer choices
- AIn front of the resident blocking the path
- BBehind the resident holding both shoulders tightly
- CAt the weak side providing light support at the gait belt or arm
- DFar away so the resident builds independence without help
About this question
Where should a CNA stand when ambulating a post-stroke resident who uses a walker with contact guard assistance? Ambulation placement questions combine care-plan language with fall prevention. Blocking the path or hovering too far away are common wrong instincts. Read the wording and clinical context closely; those details determine the NNAAP competency being tested.
This item asks for the correct CNA position. Stand at the weak side and provide light support at the gait belt or arm. Do not stand in front blocking the walker path, clutch both shoulders from behind, or stay so far away that contact guard becomes no assistance. Follow the care plan level of assist. For ambulate resident with walker, define contact guard as close light support on the weak side.
Reveal answer & explanationShow
Correct answer
- AIn front of the resident blocking the path
- BBehind the resident holding both shoulders tightly
- CAt the weak side providing light support at the gait belt or armCorrect
- DFar away so the resident builds independence without help
Basic rationale
Contact guard assistance means staying close at the resident weak side, providing light support at the gait belt or arm without doing the walking for them.
Option explanations
- A: Incorrect. Do not block the resident path in front.
- B: Incorrect. Tight shoulder hold from behind is not contact guard.
- C: Correct. Stand at the weak side with light gait-belt or arm support.
- D: Incorrect. Contact guard requires staying close, not standing far away.
Deep Analysis
Core logic
After stroke with a walker, the CNA stands at the weak side ready to stabilize lightly. Blocking the path, gripping from behind, or standing far away does not match contact guard.
Distractor analysis
A: Standing in front blocks the path and interferes with walker use. B: Tightly holding both shoulders from behind over-assists and affects balance. D: Standing far away provides no contact guard if the resident loses balance.
Exam trap
Contact guard means at the weak side with light support, not blocking or holding from behind.
Memory tip
Contact guard: weak side, light support, stay close.
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