What does "ambulate" mean in a healthcare setting?

In a healthcare setting, "ambulate" specifically refers to the act of walking or moving from one place to another, often with the assistance of healthcare personnel. Therefore, when someone is trained to ambulate a patient, it involves providing help or support to facilitate the patient’s mobility. This is an essential part of patient care, especially for those recovering from surgery, injury, or illness, as it helps prevent complications like muscle atrophy and improves circulation.

The other options pertain to different areas of patient care: preparing a patient for surgery involves a range of preoperative procedures and assessments; providing medication refers to the administration of drugs to manage a patient’s health; and evaluating a patient’s condition involves assessing their health status and may include vital signs checks and physical examinations. However, none of these actions align with the specific meaning of "ambulate."