Chapter 34, Transitions, Activity Study Guide
Summer 2025
I. Chapter Objectives Review
This section outlines the key learning goals for understanding movement and mobility. As you
go through the material, ensure you can:
1. Describe the role of the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems in the physiology of
movement.
2. Identify variables that influence body alignment and mobility.
3. Differentiate isotonic, isometric, and isokinetic exercises.
4. Describe the effects of exercise and immobility on major body systems.
5. Assess body alignment, mobility, and activity tolerance, using appropriate interview
and assessment skills.
6. Diagnose actual and potential health problems and needs related to mobility that
may be addressed through nursing intervention.
7. Utilize principles of ergonomics when appropriate.
8. Use safe patient handling and mobility techniques and equipment when positioning,
moving, lifting, and ambulating patients.
9. Develop exercise programs.
10. Plan, implement, and evaluate nursing care related to select diagnoses/patient
problems involving alterations in and related to mobility.
II. Physiology of Movement and Alignment
A. Skeletal System
Role: Supports soft tissues, protects crucial components, furnishes surfaces for
muscle/tendon/ligament attachment, stores minerals/fat, produces blood cells.
Bone Classification: Long, Short, Flat, Irregular.
Joints: Ball and socket, Condyloid, Gliding, Hinge, Pivot, Saddle.
Joint Movements: (Implied, but not explicitly listed in the source beyond types of
joints).
B. Muscular System
Functions: Motion, Maintenance of posture, Support, Heat production.
Types of Muscles: Skeletal, Cardiac, Smooth or visceral.
Tonus: A slight state of muscle contraction, crucial for preventing contractures without
exercise or joint motion.
C. Nervous System
Neurons: Conduct impulses.
Afferent System: Conveys information from periphery to CNS.
CNS Processing: Information processed leading to a response.
Efferent Neurons: Convey response from CNS to skeletal muscles via the somatic
nervous system.
D. Normal Movement and Alignment
Body Alignment/Posture: Proper positioning of body parts.
Balance: Ability to maintain equilibrium.
Coordinated Body Movement: Smooth and efficient motion.
Postural Reflexes: Labyrinthine sense: Inner ear, controls balance.
1
, Chapter 34, Transitions, Activity Study Guide
Summer 2025
Proprioceptor/Kinesthetic sense: Awareness of body position and movement.
Visual/Optic reflexes: Vision's role in balance.
Extensor/Stretch reflexes: Reflexive muscle contraction in response to stretch.
III. Safe Patient Handling and Mobility
Ergonomics: Designing equipment and work tasks to fit worker capabilities, preventing
injuries.
Variables Leading to Patient Handling Injuries (Healthcare Workers):
Uncoordinated lifts, high exertion, awkward/static postures, manual lifting/transferring,
repetitive movements/tasks, standing for long periods, transferring
uncooperative/confused patients, lifting when fatigued or after recent back injury.
IV. Factors Affecting Movement and Alignment
Developmental Considerations: Age-related changes affecting mobility.
Physical Health: Muscular, Skeletal, or Nervous System Problems:
Congenital/acquired postural abnormalities (e.g., achondroplasia, osteogenesis
imperfecta), problems with bone formation/muscle development (e.g., Rickets, Paget’s
disease, osteoporosis), problems affecting joint mobility (e.g., RA, Osteoarthritis,
Trauma), trauma to musculoskeletal system, problems affecting CNS.
Problems Involving Other Body Systems: How other systemic issues impact mobility.
Mental Health: Impact of psychological state on activity.
Lifestyle: Habits and choices affecting movement.
Attitude and Values: Personal beliefs influencing activity levels.
Fatigue and Stress: Energy levels and emotional state impacting mobility.
External Factors: Environmental influences.
V. Exercise
A. Types of Exercise
Isotonic: Muscle shortening and active movement (e.g., walking, lifting weights).
Isometric: Muscle contraction without shortening (e.g., holding a plank).
Isokinetic: Muscle contraction with resistance (e.g., using specialized exercise
machines).
Aerobic exercise: Sustained activity increasing heart rate and oxygen consumption.
Stretching exercise: Lengthening muscles to improve flexibility.
Strength and endurance exercises: Building muscle power and stamina.
B. Effects of Exercise on Major Body Systems
Cardiovascular System: Increased heart efficiency, decreased HR/BP, increased blood
flow, improved venous return, increased circulating fibrinolysin.
Respiratory System: Improved alveolar ventilation, decreased work of breathing,
improved diaphragmatic excursion.
2
Summer 2025
I. Chapter Objectives Review
This section outlines the key learning goals for understanding movement and mobility. As you
go through the material, ensure you can:
1. Describe the role of the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems in the physiology of
movement.
2. Identify variables that influence body alignment and mobility.
3. Differentiate isotonic, isometric, and isokinetic exercises.
4. Describe the effects of exercise and immobility on major body systems.
5. Assess body alignment, mobility, and activity tolerance, using appropriate interview
and assessment skills.
6. Diagnose actual and potential health problems and needs related to mobility that
may be addressed through nursing intervention.
7. Utilize principles of ergonomics when appropriate.
8. Use safe patient handling and mobility techniques and equipment when positioning,
moving, lifting, and ambulating patients.
9. Develop exercise programs.
10. Plan, implement, and evaluate nursing care related to select diagnoses/patient
problems involving alterations in and related to mobility.
II. Physiology of Movement and Alignment
A. Skeletal System
Role: Supports soft tissues, protects crucial components, furnishes surfaces for
muscle/tendon/ligament attachment, stores minerals/fat, produces blood cells.
Bone Classification: Long, Short, Flat, Irregular.
Joints: Ball and socket, Condyloid, Gliding, Hinge, Pivot, Saddle.
Joint Movements: (Implied, but not explicitly listed in the source beyond types of
joints).
B. Muscular System
Functions: Motion, Maintenance of posture, Support, Heat production.
Types of Muscles: Skeletal, Cardiac, Smooth or visceral.
Tonus: A slight state of muscle contraction, crucial for preventing contractures without
exercise or joint motion.
C. Nervous System
Neurons: Conduct impulses.
Afferent System: Conveys information from periphery to CNS.
CNS Processing: Information processed leading to a response.
Efferent Neurons: Convey response from CNS to skeletal muscles via the somatic
nervous system.
D. Normal Movement and Alignment
Body Alignment/Posture: Proper positioning of body parts.
Balance: Ability to maintain equilibrium.
Coordinated Body Movement: Smooth and efficient motion.
Postural Reflexes: Labyrinthine sense: Inner ear, controls balance.
1
, Chapter 34, Transitions, Activity Study Guide
Summer 2025
Proprioceptor/Kinesthetic sense: Awareness of body position and movement.
Visual/Optic reflexes: Vision's role in balance.
Extensor/Stretch reflexes: Reflexive muscle contraction in response to stretch.
III. Safe Patient Handling and Mobility
Ergonomics: Designing equipment and work tasks to fit worker capabilities, preventing
injuries.
Variables Leading to Patient Handling Injuries (Healthcare Workers):
Uncoordinated lifts, high exertion, awkward/static postures, manual lifting/transferring,
repetitive movements/tasks, standing for long periods, transferring
uncooperative/confused patients, lifting when fatigued or after recent back injury.
IV. Factors Affecting Movement and Alignment
Developmental Considerations: Age-related changes affecting mobility.
Physical Health: Muscular, Skeletal, or Nervous System Problems:
Congenital/acquired postural abnormalities (e.g., achondroplasia, osteogenesis
imperfecta), problems with bone formation/muscle development (e.g., Rickets, Paget’s
disease, osteoporosis), problems affecting joint mobility (e.g., RA, Osteoarthritis,
Trauma), trauma to musculoskeletal system, problems affecting CNS.
Problems Involving Other Body Systems: How other systemic issues impact mobility.
Mental Health: Impact of psychological state on activity.
Lifestyle: Habits and choices affecting movement.
Attitude and Values: Personal beliefs influencing activity levels.
Fatigue and Stress: Energy levels and emotional state impacting mobility.
External Factors: Environmental influences.
V. Exercise
A. Types of Exercise
Isotonic: Muscle shortening and active movement (e.g., walking, lifting weights).
Isometric: Muscle contraction without shortening (e.g., holding a plank).
Isokinetic: Muscle contraction with resistance (e.g., using specialized exercise
machines).
Aerobic exercise: Sustained activity increasing heart rate and oxygen consumption.
Stretching exercise: Lengthening muscles to improve flexibility.
Strength and endurance exercises: Building muscle power and stamina.
B. Effects of Exercise on Major Body Systems
Cardiovascular System: Increased heart efficiency, decreased HR/BP, increased blood
flow, improved venous return, increased circulating fibrinolysin.
Respiratory System: Improved alveolar ventilation, decreased work of breathing,
improved diaphragmatic excursion.
2
