Walker Positioning for Safe Ambulation

A patient with severe osteoarthritis in both knees is being discharged home with a prescription for ambulation assistance. The nurse provides education on a walker to assist the patient. The patient shares that they often feel unsteady and have difficulty moving from sitting to standing. To aid the patient effectively, the nurse must encourage the correct position of the walker during ambulation. Specifically, when preparing to stand, the patient should position the walker __________ from the body to ensure proper stability and support.