Mobility and Body Mechanics

Vocabulary flashcards covering body mechanics, patient positioning, mobility assessments, range of motion, assistive devices, and neurovascular assessment topics.

Body Mechanics

Principles including maintaining appropriate body alignment, maintaining a wide base of support, bending knees and hips, avoiding bending from the waist, and evenly distributing weight.

The Two P's of Positioning

Promotion and Prevention.

Dorsal (Supine) Position

Laying flat on back.

Dorsal Recumbent Position

Supine with head, shoulders, and extremities moderately flexed.

Fowler's Position

Position in which the head of the bed is raised 45 to 60 degrees.

Semi Fowler's Position

Position in which the head of the bed is raised 30 degrees.

Orthopneic Position

Position where the patient is sitting up in bed at a $90^\text{o}$ angle, sometimes resting forward on the bedside table.

Sims Position

Position where the patient lies on their side with knee and thigh drawn upward toward chest.

Prone Position

Lying face down in horizontal position.

Lithotomy Position

Supine position with hips and knees flexed and thighs abducted and rotated externally.

Trendelenburg Position

Position where the patient's head is low and the body and legs are on an inclined plane.

Bedside Mobility Assessment Tool (BMAT)

An assessment tool used when conducting a mobility assessment at the bedside.

Timed Up & Go (TUG)

An assessment tool used during patient mobility evaluation.

Active ROM

Range of motion movement performed by the patient themselves.

Passive ROM

Range of motion movement performed for the patient without their active muscle involvement.

Continuous Passive Motion Machine (CPM)

A device that flexes and extends joints passively to help prevent joint contractures, muscle atrophy, and thromboembolism.

Abductor Splint

An assistive device used for positioning to keep the legs abducted.

Trapeze Bar

An assistive positioning device mounted over the bed to aid patient movement.

Early Signs of Compartment Syndrome

Muscle pain, burning, 'pins and needles,' and tightness in muscle.

Late Signs of Compartment Syndrome

Numbness, paralysis, and permanent muscle and nerve damage.