one sided weakness

K_girl · May 28, 2011

Are you in a cna program? If so this should be specifically stated in your book.

Poi Dog · May 28, 2011

if the person has a weak or paralyzed side, remove the clothing from the strong or unaffected side first.

if the person has a weak or paralyzed side. dress the affected side first.

here's how i remember it:

strong off, weak on.

sometimes i get confused about which is which :smokin: best wishes!

nurse2short · May 28, 2011

when dressing residents with one sided weakness, always dress them on the weak side first and undress on the unaffected side first, now thats a given, :uhoh3: :uhoh3: plus I've been doing it for eleven years.:icon_roll

tyhmar6 · Jul 31, 2011

What is the rationale for dressing the weak side first and undressing the strong side first?

northernguy · Jul 31, 2011

It's really common sense, put on or take off the side first that least results in twisting or bending the affected side. When dressing this is the weak side first, when undressing it's the weak side last. I hope you didnt complete a CNA class without learning this.

Dorali, BSN, LPN, RN · Jul 31, 2011

^^I agree.^^ If you're putting on a shirt and the right side is paralyed, you can get their arm in there easierif you do that side first. Not so much bending and testing and trying to stretch the fabric to make it work.

When taking it off, they can help you if you start on the strong side, then the weak/paralyzed side will be easier because you can slip it right off.

Thujone · Aug 1, 2011

Don't know what state you are in, but in NC this is how CNA's are 'supposed' to do it!

1. Explain procedure

2. Provide Privacy

3. Offer a choice in what top they want to wear

4. while avoiding over exposure remove their current gown, unaffected side first and affected side last.

5. place the clean gown on, affected side first and unaffected side last.

6. move client gently and naturally, avoiding over extension of the limbs and joints.

7. finish with clothing in place

8. dispose of dirty linen in soiled linen container

9. place call light and lower bed

10. wash hands

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Aug 1, 2011

A lot of time the weak side is either more sensitive, so you need to be more gentle with it, or it's less sensitive and then the person isn't able to feel pain if you're twisting or bending it the wrong way. Just remember that the clothes stay on the weak side the longest. They are the first to go on that side and the last to come off.

Dorali, BSN, LPN, RN · Aug 1, 2011

That's a good tip, fuzzy!!!

Allysun · Aug 1, 2011

once you work as a cna, this will be common sense.

Starletta, CNA · Aug 1, 2011

A lot of time the weak side is either more sensitive, so you need to be more gentle with it, or it's less sensitive and then the person isn't able to feel pain if you're twisting or bending it the wrong way. Just remember that the clothes stay on the weak side the longest. They are the first to go on that side and the last to come off.

Good tip Fuzzy!!! I'm sure it is easy to remember in time. My State test is tomorrow and although I know which side gets dressed and undressed first. This will be easy to remember when nervous! Thank you.:)