Potter & Perry Chapter 39 - Activity and Exercise

BODY ALIGNMENT

relationship of one body part to another

BODY BALANCE

achieved by low center of gravity
enhanced by posture

COORDINATED BODY MOVEMENT

weight
center of gravity
balance

FRICTION

force that occurs in a direction to oppose movement

CONCENTRIC TENSION

increased muscle contraction that causes muscle shortening
i.e. when a patient uses an overhead trapeze to pull up in bed

ECCENTRIC TENSION

helps control the speed and direction of movement
i.e. when a patient uses an overhead trapeze to slowly lower themselves to the bed

ISOTONIC CONTRACTION

muscle contractions that lengthen or shorten the muscle
also called "dynamic" muscle contractions

ISOTONIC EXERCISES

walking, swimming, dance, jogging, bicycling
enhance circulatory and respiratory functioning
increase muscle mass, tone, and strength
promote osteoblastic activity

ISOMETRIC CONTRACTION

static contraction
causes an increase in muscle tension
no shortening/lengthening of the muscle

ISOMETRIC EXERCISES

tightening/tensing of muscles without moving body parts
contraction occurs when pushing against stationary object
resisting the movement of an object
i.e. pushing against a footboard

ANTAGONISTIC MUSCLES

cause movement at a joint
one active mover muscle contracts while its antagonist relaxes

SYNERGISTIC MUSCLES

contract to accomplish the same movement
two active mover muscles contract while the antagonistic muscle relaxes

ANTIGRAVITY MUSCLES

stabilize joints
muscles continuously oppose the effect of gravity on the body
permit a person to maintain an upright or sitting posture

PROPRIOCEPTION

awareness of the position of the body and its parts

BALANCE

controlled by the nervous system
cerebellum and the inner ear

BALANCE - CEREBELLUM

coordinates all voluntary movement

BALANCE - INNER EAR

three semi-circular canals filled with fluid help maintain balance
when the head is suddenly rotated in one direction, the fluid remains stationary for a moment, but the canal turns with the head
This allows a person to change position suddenly without lo

PATHOLOGICAL INFLUENCES ON BODY ALIGNMENT, MOBILITY AND ACTIVITY

congenital defects
disorders of bones, joints, muscles
central nervous system damage
musculoskeletal trauma

STANDING - ASSESSMENT

head is erect, midline
body is symmetrical
spine is straight with normal curvature
abdomen is tucked
knees slightly flexed
feet pointed forward and slightly apart
arms at the sides

SITTING - ASSESSMENT

head is erect, midline
neck and vertebral column are in straight alignment
body weight is evenly distributed on buttocks and thighs
thighs are parallel and in a horizontal plane
feet supported on the floor
forearms supported on the armrest, in the lap, or

RECUMBENT POSITION - ASSESSMENT

vertebrae in straight alignment without any observable curves

MOBILITY - ASSESSMENT

gait
exercise
activity tolerance

NURSING DX

activity intolerance
ineffective coping
impaired gas exchange
risk for injury
impaired bed mobility
impaired physical mobility
acute/chronic pain

PRINCIPLES OF SAFE PATIENT TRANSFER & POSITIONING
- WHEN PATIENT CANNOT ASSIST

use mechanical lifts and lift teams

PRINCIPLES OF SAFE PATIENT TRANSFER AND POSITIONING
- WHEN PATIENT CAN ASSIST

the wider the base of support, the greater the stability of the nurse
the lower the center of gravity, the greater the stability of the nurse
the equilibrium of an object is maintained as long as the line of gravity passes through its base of support
Faci

ASSISTIVE DEVICES FOR WALKING

walkers
canes
crutches

WALKER

patient holds the handgrips on the upper bars
takes a step
moves walker forward
takes another step

CANE

keep cane on strong side of the body
place cane forward 6-10 inches
weak leg moves forward
strong leg moves forward just past the cane

CRUTCHES

wooden or metal
double adjustable or forearm crutch
must be measured to fit appropriately

MEASUREMENT OF CRUTCHES

length of the crutch should be 2-3 finger widths (2 inches) from the axilla
tips should be approximately 2 inches laterally and 4-6 inches anterior to the front of patient's shoes
elbow flexion should be 20-25 degrees

GONIOMETER

device to measures elbow flexion

AXILLARY CRUTCHES

has a padded, curved surface that fits under the axilla
hand grips in the form of a cross bar are held at the level of the palms to support the body

FOREARM CRUTCHES

has a handgrip and a metal band that fits around the patient's forearm
the metal band and the handgrip are adjusted to fit the patient's height

CRUTCH GAIT

alternately bearing weight on one or both legs and on the crutches

BASIC CRUTCH STANCE

tripod position
crutches are placed 6 inches in front of and 6 inches to the side of each foot
position improves the patient's balance by providing a wider base of support
axilla should not bear any weight

FOUR-POINT ALTERNATING GAIT

gives stability to the patient but requires weight bearing on both legs
Each leg is moved alternately with each opposing crutch so three points of support are on the floor at all times

THREE-POINT ALTERNATING GAIT

requires the patient to bear all of the weight on one foot
affected leg does not touch the ground

TWO-POINT GAIT

requires at least partial weight bearing on each foot
patient moves a crutch at the same time as the opposing leg so the crutch movements are similar to arm motion during normal walking

SWING-THROUGH GAIT

With weight placed on the supported legs, the patient places the crutches one stride in front and then swings to or through them while they support his or her weight

CRUTCHES - WALKING UP STAIRS

weight is placed on the crutch
weight is transferred from crutches to unaffected leg on stairs
crutches are aligned with unaffected leg on stairs

CRUTCHES - WALKING DOWN STAIRS

body weight is on unaffected leg
body weight is transferred to the crutches
unaffected leg is aligned on stairs with crutches

SITTING IN A CHAIR WITH CRUTCHES

both crutches are held in one hand
patient transfers weight to crutches and unaffected leg
patient grasps arm of chair with free hand and begins to lower into chair
patient completely lowers into chair

SCOLIOSIS

structural curvature of the spine associated with vertebral rotation

OSTEOGENESIS IMPERFECTA

inherited disorder that affects bone tissue
bones are porous, short, bowed, and deformed
presents with curvature of the spine and short stature

JOINT DEGENERATION

can occur with inflammatory and non-inflammatory disease
marked by changes in articular cartilage combined with overgrowth of bone at the articular ends
affect weight bearing joints