A male client in the emergency department has a suspected neurologic disorder. To assess gait, the nurse asks the client to take a few steps; with each step, the client’s feet make a half-circle. To document the client’s gait, the nurse should use which term?
A. Ataxic
B. Dystrophic
C. Helicopod
D. Steppage
Correct Answer: C. Helicopod
A helicopod gait is an abnormal gait in which the client’s feet make a half circle with each step. A gait seen in some conversion reactions or hysteric disorders, in which the feet describe half circles.
Option A: An ataxic gait is staggering and unsteady. Most commonly seen in cerebellar disease, this gait is described as clumsy, staggering movements with a wide-based gait. While standing still, the patient’s body may swagger back and forth and from side to side, known as titubation. Patients will not be able to walk from heel to toe or in a straight line.
Option B: In a dystrophic gait, the client waddles with the legs far apart. Movement of the trunk is exaggerated to produce a waddling, duck-like walk. Progressive muscular dystrophy or hip dislocation present from birth can produce a waddling gait.
Option D: In a steppage gait, the feet, and toes raise high off the floor and the heel comes down heavily with each step. Seen in patients with foot drop (weakness of foot dorsiflexion), the cause of this gait is due to an attempt to lift the leg high enough during walking so that the foot does not drag on the floor.
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