Body Mechanics, Ambulatory Aids, Immobilization, and Fitness

Flashcards about body mechanics, ambulation, immobilization, and exercise.

Alignment

The proper relationship of body parts to one another.

Anatomic position

The human body standing erect with the face forward, arms at the sides, and palms forward.

Balance

A state of equilibrium, achieved when the center of gravity is stable.

Bariatric client

Those who are significantly overweight or obese.

Base of support

The area on which an object rests.

Bed board

A rigid structure, typically made of wood, that is placed under a mattress to provide additional support.

Body mechanics

The efficient use of the musculoskeletal system.

Center of gravity

The point at which its mass is centered.

Contractures

Permanently shortened muscles that resist stretching.

Disuse syndrome

Signs and symptoms that result from inactivity.

Energy

The capacity to do work.

Ergonomics

Specialty field of engineering science devoted to promoting comfort, performance, and health in the workplace.

Foot drop

A type of contracture in which the foot is permanently fixed in plantar flexion.

Fowler Position

Semi-sitting position.

Functional mobility

The ability to perform activities required to meet one's basic needs.

Functional position

The manner in which a person performs basic activities.

Gravity

The force that pulls objects toward the center of the earth.

Lateral oblique position

A variation of the side-lying position

Lateral Position

Side-lying position.

Line of Gravity

An imaginary vertical line that passes through the center of gravity.

Muscle spasms

Sudden, involuntary muscle contractions.

Neutral Position

A position of the body in which the spine is not flexed (bent forward), extended (bent backward), or rotated.

Posture

The manner in which one stands.

Prone position

Lying on the abdomen.

Repetitive Strain Injuries

Disorders that result from cumulative trauma to musculoskeletal structures.

Tearing

To assist a client to move from one place to another.

Sims position

A semi-prone position.

Supine position

Lying on the back.

Transfer

Moving a client from one place to another

Walker

A device for clients who need assistance with ambulation.

Ambulatory Aids

Activities that prepare clients for ambulation.

Axillary crutches

Type of crutches.

Cane

A hand-held ambulation device.

Crutch palsy

Paralysis of the lower arm resulting from prolonged pressure on the axilla.

Crutches

Body support used by those who have difficulty walking.

Dangling

Sitting position in which the legs dangle over the side of the bed or examining table.

Forearm crutches

Also known as lofstrand crutches; type of crutches.

Gluteal setting

Contracting the gluteal muscles.

parallel bars

Parallel bars consist of two or more parallel handrails attached to vertical posts.

Platform crutches

Type of crutches.

Prosthetic limb

An artificial limb.

Prosthetist

One who specializes in the measurement, design, fabrication, and fitting of prosthetic limbs.

Quadriceps setting

Contracting the quadriceps muscles.

Strength

The ability to perform work.

Tone

The capacity to exert or withstand a force.

Tilt table

A device that raises a client from a supine to a standing position.

Cast

A rigid encasement of a limb or other body part.

Bivalved cast

A cast cut into two lengthwise pieces.

Body cast

A large cast that encircles the trunk of the body.

Braces

External support devices that prevent or limit movement of a body part.

Cylinder cast

A cast that extends from below the elbow to the fingers or from below the knee to the toes.

Compartment syndrome

A condition in which tissue perfusion is impaired as a result of constriction.

External fixator

Metal device inserted into and through one or more broken bones to stabilize fragments during healing.

Functional braces

Braces used to provide support for unstable joints

Immobilizers

Commercial splints.

Inflatable splints

Splints that become rigid when filled with air.

Traction

The pulling effect exerted on a part of the skeletal system.

Manual traction

The pulling effect exerted by hand on a part of the skeletal system.

Molded splints

A firm splint that is custom made.

Orthoses

Orthopedic appliances.

Petals

Pieces of adhesive tape used to cover the rough edges of a cast.

Pneumatic splints

Splints inflated with air.

Prophylactic braces

Braces used to prevent or reduce joint injuries during athletic activities.

Rehabilitative braces

Braces that allow protected motion of an injured joint that has been treated operatively.

Skeletal traction

Traction applied directly to a bone using surgically inserted metal wires or pins.

Skin traction

Traction applied to the skin.

Sling

A cloth device used to elevate, support, and immobilize an upper extremity.

Spica cast

A cast that encircles the trunk and one or both extremities.

Splint

A device that immobilizes and supports an injured body part.

Traction splints

A specialized splint used for fractures of the femur.

Window

An opening made in a cast to relieve pressure on underlying tissue.

Active exercise

Exercise in which the client actively moves each joint in the body.

Aerobic exercise

Activity that increases the heart and respiratory rates to benefit the body.

Ambulatory electrocardiogram

A record of heart electrical activity during normal daily activities.

Ankylosis

The permanent loss of joint movement

Artifacts

Signals unrelated to the heart's electrical activity.

Body composition

The amount of body tissue that is lean versus the amount that is fat.

Cardiac ischemia

Reduced blood flow to myocardial tissue.

Continuous passive motion machine

A device that passively moves a joint through a preset arc for a specified period.

Exercise

Purposeful physical activity.

Fitness

The capacity to exercise

Fitness Exercise

Activity performed by healthy people to maintain or improve their physical capacity.

Isokinetic exercise

Activity performed with specialized equipment that adjusts the resistance to equal the client's force through the range of motion.

Isometric exercise

Exercise in which the client alternately tenses and relaxes muscles without moving body parts.

Isotonic exercise

Exercise in which the client moves each joint through its full range of motion.

Maximum heart rate

The fastest heart rate a person can achieve without being at risk.

Metabolic energy equivalent

A measure of the energy and oxygen consumption during physical activity.

Passive exercise

Exercise in which the nurse moves each of the client's joints.

Pedometer

Self-monitoring device used to measure steps taken while walking.

Range-of-motion exercises

Moving joints through their available arcs.

Recovery index

The time required for the heart rate to return to normal after exercise.

Step test

Measure of a person's cardiovascular endurance.

Stress electrocardiogram

An electrical recording of the heart's activity during exercise.

Submaximal fitness test

Exercise test performed to an intensity below maximum.

Target heart rate

Percentage of maximum heart rate that is a safe range in which to exercise.

Therapeutic exercise

Activity performed to restore health.

Walk-a-mile test

Measure of a person's cardiovascular endurance.