During assistance for left-sided weakness after a CVA to the restroom, how would you support them?

• A. Support your patient on their left side
• B. Support your patient on their right side
• C. Transfer with the unaffected side first
• D. Stand behind the patient and guide with a belt

Answer: (A)

When someone has weakness on one side, you protect and guide them from that affected side to prevent a fall toward the weaker limb. With left-sided weakness, you position yourself at the patient’s left side, ready to support their gait and catch or stabilize them if they begin to slip. This close, on-the-weak-side stance allows you to use a gait belt and your body to assist with transfers and brief, controlled movements to the restroom, while you monitor their left leg and arm for stability.

Standing on the right side would make it harder to guard the weaker side and catch a stumble toward the left. Transferring with the unaffected side first can encourage reliance on the strong side and may delay or hinder use of the weaker side. Standing behind and guiding with a belt provides less immediate protection and control if sudden imbalance occurs, making it less safe for a patient with left-sided weakness during a toileting transfer.