Chapter 28: Activity, Immobility, and Safe Movement

Vocabulary flashcards covering principles of mobility, the systemic consequences of immobility, assistive ambulation devices, and nursing interventions from Chapter 28 of Fundamentals of Nursing.

Hemiparesis

Weakness affecting one side of the body, often caused by neurologic injury or cerebrovascular accident.

Hemiplegia

Complete paralysis of one side of the body resulting from central nervous system damage.

Paraplegia

Paralysis affecting the lower half of the body, primarily involving both lower extremities.

Quadriplegia

Paralysis involving all four extremities, affecting both arms and both legs.

Contracture

Permanent tightening and shortening of muscle, tendon, or joint tissue resulting from prolonged immobility and lack of movement.

Muscle Atrophy

A wasting away or reduction in the size and strength of muscle tissue resulting from disuse and prolonged immobility.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

A thrombus formed within deep veins, caused by circulatory stasis and pooled blood combined with weakened calf muscle contractions in immobile patients.

Negative Nitrogen Balance

A nutritional state that occurs during immobility when protein catabolism exceeds intake because of insufficient dietary protein.

Urinary Stasis

The pooling or stagnation of urine in the renal pelvis and bladder due to recumbency and immobility, predisposing the patient to urinary tract infections and renal calculi.

Tissue Ischemia

Deficiency of blood flow and oxygen to tissues resulting from continuous, unrelieved pressure on bony prominences, which can lead to necrosis and pressure injuries.

Isotonic Exercise

Physical conditioning that involves muscle contraction and active movement with a change in muscle length.

Isometric Exercise

Physical conditioning that involves muscle contraction without active joint movement or changes in muscle length.

Splints and Braces

External orthopedic devices designed to support weakened limbs, maintain functional joint alignment, and prevent deformities like footdrop.

Trochanter Roll

A rolled towel or blanket placed parallel to the lateral aspect of the hip and thigh to prevent external rotation of the hip in a supine patient.

Logrolling

A maneuver used to turn an immobile patient as a single, cohesive unit to maintain spinal alignment throughout the move.

Transfer Belt (Gait Belt)

A sturdy belt secured snugly around a patient's waist, held firmly at the back by the nurse to safely assist with ambulation and transfers.

Cane

A handheld mobility aid held on the patient's stronger side, advanced first, followed by the weak leg and then the strong leg.

Forearm (Lofstrand) Crutches

Crutches featuring a handgrip and a forearm cuff, primarily utilized by patients who have long-term or permanent impairments.

Ascending Stairs with Crutches

The crutch-walking procedure in which the patient shifts weight to crutches, steps up with the unaffected leg first, and then brings the crutches up onto the stair to align with the unaffected leg.

Descending Stairs with Crutches

The crutch-walking procedure in which the patient transfers body weight to the crutches on the lower stair, then brings the unaffected leg down to align with the crutches.

Walker

A four-point ambulation device that the patient lifts forward one step, places firmly on the ground, and then steps into.

Mechanical Lift

The preferred patient transfer equipment that uses a supportive harness to bear patient weight, maximizing assistance and drastically decreasing nursing injuries.

Dangling

Allowing a patient's legs to hang over the bedside prior to standing, promoting hemodynamic adjustment and preventing orthostatic intolerance.

Bedpan

A toileting receptacle placed beneath an immobilized patient in bed for elimination of stool and urine.

Heel Protector

A padded sleeve or boot designed to elevate and cushion the heel, preventing skin breakdown and pressure injury over the calcaneus.