When dressing a client with a weak right arm, which sequence is correct?

• A. Dress the right arm first by guiding it through the sleeve.
• B. Dress the left arm first.
• C. Remove clothing from the client and re-dress.
• D. Have the client dress themselves completely.

Answer: (A)

When a client has a weak arm, you want to support and involve that limb first to promote safety and participation. Dressing the weaker side first by guiding that arm through the sleeve helps you control the movement of the affected arm, reduces the risk of pulling or twisting it, and makes it easier to position the garment without forcing the limb. Once the weak arm is in the sleeve, you can smoothly finish dressing with the other arm, keeping comfort and range of motion in mind.

Starting with the strong arm can make it harder to fit the weak arm into the garment and may cause unnecessary strain. Unnecessarily removing clothing and re-dressing isn’t needed, and expecting the client to dress themselves completely may not be feasible with limited strength or coordination.