Canes, Walkers & Crutches — NCLEX Cheat Sheet
COAL · up-with-good, down-with-bad
👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team
🕐 Updated 2026-07-11
🏷️ Basic Care & Comfort
🔖 Free to read, print, and share
💡
Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Canes, Walkers & Crutches on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!
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- Hold on the STRONG side
- Advance with the WEAK leg (COAL)
- Pads 2 fingers below axilla
- Weight on hands, never armpit
- Up with the good leg first
- Down with the bad leg first
✨Quick Tip
Hold on the STRONG side.
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