Summary NU 205 Immobility Review

Immobility
Objectives:
 Discuss physiological and pathological influences on mobility.
 Identify changes in physiological and psychosocial function
associated with immobility.
 Assess for correct and impaired body alignment and mobility.
 Describe interventions for improving or maintaining patients’
mobility.
 Discuss a nurse’s role in the prevention of complications of
immobility.
Key Terms

Disuse
Activity tolerance Atelectasis Bed rest Body alignment Body mechanics Embolus
osteoporosis



Hypostatic
Footdrop Friction Gait Hemiparesis Hemiplegia Immobility
pneumonia



Negative nitrogen Orthostatic Pathological
Joint contracture Mobility Muscle atrophy Osteoporosis
balance hypotension fractures



Range of motion Renal calculi Shear Thrombus Trapeze bar Trochanter roll
Pressure injury (ROM)



Venous
Urinary stasis thromboembolism



Nature of Movement
 Body mechanics
 Implications of impaired mobility
 Balance and alignment
 Gravity and friction
 Skeletal system
 Skeletal muscle
 Nervous system
 Pathological influences on mobility
 Postural abnormalities
 Muscle abnormalities

,  Damage to the central nervous system
 Direct trauma to the musculoskeletal system
 Joint disease
The Effects of Immobility
 Mobility refers to a person’s ability to move about freely, and
immobility refers to the inability to do so
 Bed rest
 Effects of muscular deconditioning
o Disuse atrophy
o Physiological
o Psychological
o Social
Systemic Effects of Immobility
 Metabolic changes
o Endocrine metabolism
o Calcium resorption
o Gastrointestinal (GI) system functions
 Respiratory changes
o Atelectasis
o Hypostatic pneumonia
 Cardiovascular changes
 Musculoskeletal changes
 Urinary elimination changes
 Integumentary changes
 Psychosocial effects
Developmental Changes
 Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers
 Adolescents
 Adults
 Older Adults
Assessment of Mobility