Lecture on Immobility

Importance of Understanding Immobility as a Student Nurse

• Student nurses are critical in assisting patients with mobility.
• Mobility affects both physiological and psychological health.
• Student nurses can actively help in repositioning, exercises, and getting patients out of bed.
• Role includes ensuring proper alignment and preventing complications from immobility.

Objectives

• Review lecture objectives at the end.
• Refer to resources if objectives aren't met.

Scientific Knowledge Base

• Body Mechanics: Coordination of musculoskeletal and nervous systems.
• Alignment and Balance: Reduces strain, maintains muscle tone, and comfort.
• Gravity and its Effects: Important for understanding muscle and bone loss in zero gravity environments like space.
  • Astronaut recovery: 1 day of recovery on Earth for each day in space.
  • Patients in zero gravity positions can lose muscle mass rapidly.

Friction and Repositioning

• Friction can cause skin damage, especially in elderly or debilitated patients.
• Careful repositioning is necessary to avoid skin shearing.

Skeletal System Basics

• Roles in movement and alignment.
• Types of bones: long, short, flat, and irregular.
• Types of joints: synostic, cartilaginous, fibrous, synovial.
• Ligaments vs. tendons: Different functions in binding and connecting.

Muscle and Nervous System Function

• Muscle tone assists in movement and posture.
• Nervous system regulates movement via the cerebral cortex.

Mobility Terms

• Mobility: Ability to move freely.
• Immobility: Inability to move.
• Bed Rest: Medical intervention for therapeutic reasons.

Systemic Effects of Immobility

• Metabolic Changes: Negative nitrogen balance, muscle mass decrease.
• Respiratory Changes: Incentive spirometers to prevent complications.
• Cardiovascular Changes: Risk of orthostatic hypotension, blood clots.
• Musculoskeletal Changes: Loss of muscle and bone mass, risk of foot drop.
• Urinary and Integumentary Systems: Risks of calculi and pressure ulcers.
• Psychosocial Effects: Emotional responses, sleep disruption, coping challenges.

Prevention and Role of Student Nurses

• Engage in activities that prevent complications of immobility.
• Early mobilization is crucial.
• Use of equipment to aid movement and ensure safety.

Nursing Process

• Assessment: Examine gait, activity levels, ROM exercises.
• Diagnosis and Planning: Set realistic goals and collaborate for patient care.
• Implementation and Evaluation: Address metabolic, respiratory, cardiovascular issues with targeted interventions.

Safety and Equipment

• Understand and use safe patient handling equipment.
• Ensure proper communication and assessment before moving patients.

Final Notes

• Familiarize with positioning terms (Fowler's, Trendelenburg, etc.).
• Prepare for practical application in clinical settings.