When a patient has a weak arm, it will change how they are dressed. This is so that the patient isn’t required to move the weak or injured arm much during dressing. By following the USA First rule, the old garment just slides off the weaker arm and the new garment just slides on, so not a lot of movement is required. Because this technique requires you to accommodate the weak arm, you have to know WHICH arm is weak! So, how do we know which arm is weak? Read the care plan!
See that little red button above the video? That is the care plan for the state exam. Click on it. Go ahead, I’ll wait. You are graded on reading and following the care plan – it counts big! This care plan indicates that the patient’s right arm is weak – so undressing the left arm first and dressing the right arm first are VERY important checkpoints. You can put the pants and socks on any time you wish, the order of this isn’t graded. Just make sure you are gentle, provide support and lift from below. Always read and follow the care plan!
This video shows this skill demonstrated according to the specific testing care plan used by Prometric for the exam.