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Preventing The Hazards of Immobility

Immobility can lead to serious physiological issues affecting multiple body systems. The metabolic, respiratory, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and integumentary systems are most at risk, which can result in complications like fluid imbalances, pneumonia, blood clots, muscle atrophy, joint contractures, osteoporosis, and pressure ulcers. Regular assessment and preventative interventions like range of motion exercises, proper positioning, skin care, and early mobilization are needed to reduce risks from immobility.

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326 views23 pages

Preventing The Hazards of Immobility

Immobility can lead to serious physiological issues affecting multiple body systems. The metabolic, respiratory, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and integumentary systems are most at risk, which can result in complications like fluid imbalances, pneumonia, blood clots, muscle atrophy, joint contractures, osteoporosis, and pressure ulcers. Regular assessment and preventative interventions like range of motion exercises, proper positioning, skin care, and early mobilization are needed to reduce risks from immobility.

Uploaded by

SUBI BABU
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Preventing the Hazards of

Immobility
Hazards of Immobility
When a body part or the entire body is
immobilized, secondary disabilities may
develop in body systems. The greater the
degree of immobility and the longer the
immobilization, the greater the risk for
development of disabilities.
Bedrest
 Objectives
 Reduces oxygen needs
 Decreases pain levels
 Helps in regaining of strength
 Uninterrupted rest has psychological and emotional
benefits
 Types of bedrest
 Bed rest
 Bed rest with bathroom privileges
Effects of Immobility
 Phisiologically
 No body system is immune to affects of
immobility
 Effects depend upon a client’s health, age, and
degree
Metabolic System
 Immobility causes:
 Decrease in BMR which causes:
 Altered metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and
proteins which causes:
 Fluid, electrolyte and calcium imbalances which
causes:
 GI disturbances which causes:
 Decrease in appetite and decrease in peristalsis
Metabolic System
 Effects of the metabolic alterations=
 Fluid and electrolyte changes
 Bone demineralization
 Altered exchange of nutrients (also affected by
decreased appetite)
 Altered gastrointestinal functioning:
 Constipation
 Nausea/ vomiting
 Gas
 Indigestion
 Decreased appetite
Metabolic System
 Metabolic assessment
 Anthropometric measurements
 Fluid Intake and Output measurements
 Lab tests for electrolyte imbalances/ nutritional status
 Assess ability to heal and fight infection
 Metabolic interventions
 High protein, high calorie diet
 Supplemental vitamin C
 Vitamin B complex
Respiratory System
 Effects
 Decreased lung expansion
 Pooling of secretions
 Decreased surface area for exchange of CO2
and O2 (secondary to lung expansion)
 Most common complication w/ respiratory
system= hypostatic pneumonia
Respiratory System
 Respiratory assessment
 Observe chest movements
 Auscultate for pulmonary secretions
 Check O2 saturations
 Observe for respiratory difficulties
 Respiratory interventions
 TCDB q 2 hours
 Chest physiotherapy (CPT)
 Maintain patent airway
 Incentive spirometer
Cardiovascular System
 Effects
 Orthostatic hypotension
 Increased cardiac workload
 Thrombus formation
 May become emboli
 Most dangerous complication of bedrest
 Valsalva maneuver
Cardiovascular System
 Assessment
 BP measurements with postural changes
 Monitor pulse
 Monitor for edema
 Watch for s/s of DVT
Cardiovascular System
 Interventions
 “Dangling” feet before standing
 Discourage valsalva
 Prevent venous stasis
 Exercise
 ROM
 Anti-embolic stockings (TED hose, SCD’s)
 Never massage extremities
 Observe for s/s DVTs (warmth, redness,
+Homans)
Musculoskeletal System
 Effects
 Decreased muscle mass
 Muscular atrophy
 Reduced muscle endurance
 Decreased stability
 Joint contractures
 Disuse osteoporosis
 Decreased skeletal mass
Musculskeletal System
 Assessment
 Anthropometric measurements
 ROM measurements

 Interventions
 Active and passive ROM
 Individualized, progressive exercise program
Genitourinary System
 Effects
 Urinary Stasis
 Renal Calculi
 UTI
Genitourinary System
 Assessment
 Analysis of Intake and Output (I & O)
 Proper perineal care
 Signs and symptoms of UTI
 Interventions
 Force fluids
 Record I & O
 Strain urine if there are stones
Gastrointestinal System
 Effects
 Constipation
 Fecal Impaction
Gastrointestinal System
 Assessment
 Assessing BM’s daily
 Observe for passage of liquid stool

 Interventions
 Record daily LBM
 Encourage fluids
 Administer enemas, prn
 Digital removal of fecal impactions
Integumentary System
 Effects
 The effect on the skin in compounded by impaired body
metabolism and:
 Pressure
 Shearing Force
 Friction
 Any break in the skin is difficult to heal, which can lead
to further immobilization
 Break in skin is called a bedsore, pressure sore, or
decubitus ulcer (decubitus means bed lying)
Integumentary System
 Assessment
 Assess positions and the risks with each
position
 Identify clients at risk
 Observe for skin breakdown
 Stage 1
 Stage 2
 Stage 3
 Stage 4
Integumentary System
 Interventions
 Prevention
 Identify at risk clients
 Daily skin exam
 Change positions every 2 hours
 Massage
 Skin care products (lubricate and protect)
 Stimulate circulation
 Pressure support devices
Integumentary System
 Treat skin breakdowns
 Keep area dry and clean
 Change dressings prn
 Debridement of ulcer
 Must debride to healthy tissue
 Remove eschar
 Increase protein, calories, vitamins
 Protein= 2-4 times normal
 Calories= 1 1/2 times normal
 Vitamin C= wound healing
Psychosocial Responses
 Assessment
 Assess for behavioral changes
 Any changes in sleep-wake cycle
 Decreased coping abilities
 Signs and symptoms of depression
 Interventions
 Socialization
 Meaningful stimuli
 Maintain body image
 Avoid sleep interuptions
 Utilize resources, I.e. pastoral care or social services

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