Impaired physical mobility is a limitation of purposeful, independent movement of the body or body part. Impairment of physical mobility can be temporary, recurring or permanent. Aging is the most significant cause, but medical conditions such stroke of physical injuries that cause fractures can also hinder free movement.
Impaired Physical Mobility Care Plan Diagnosis
Various reasons may hinder the ability to move independently, but a caregiver should look for the defining signs and symptoms as the way of establishing whether a patient has impaired physical mobility.
- The inability for purposeful movement within a physical environment. It includes bed mobility, ambulation, and transfers.
- Failure to perform actions according to instruction
- Limited range of motion
A patient with movement impairments will be reluctant to attempt any movements.
Impaired Physical Mobility Care Plan Goals and outcomes
A care plan should have goals to help the patient in recovering from impaired physical mobility or prevent deteriorating from current ability. After therapy intervention, a caregiver should help the patient to achieve some of the outcomes.
- Regains ability to perform physical activity independently or within confines of a disease
- Increased mobility
- Ability to use increase movement with the use of adaptive devices
- Becomes free from complications caused by immobility such as thrombophlebitis (blood clot in a vein), irregular, bowel patterns or labored breathing
Impaired Physical Mobility Care Plan Patient Assessment
Impaired physical mobility is a representation of complex health care problems that will require treatment by health care professionals in different specializations. However, nursing assessment is crucial to determine if it exists and identify underlying issues that could cause impaired physical mobility.
Check functional level of mobility
Functional mobility is on a scale of 1 ( walking at regular pace and ground level with one flight of stairs or more causing shortness of breath ) to 4 (Dyspnea and fatigue when at rest).
Understanding the particular level helps in adjusting the care plan to accommodate techniques that allow best management plan. You determine the patient's independent physical mobility on a 0-4 scale. 0 shows the person is independent and 4 are entirely dependent without participating in any activity.
Assess impediments to mobility
Identifying barriers to independent movement such as chronic arthritis, swollen/ painful joints help in designing an optimal treatment plan.
Assess strength to perform a range of motion on all joints.
Strength assessment provides helpful data on the extent of the physical problems and determining the right therapy. A test by a physiotherapist might be necessary.
Monitor nutritional needs to improve mobility
Good nutrition is a source of essential energy to participate in rehabilitative activities and exercises.
It is essential that a caregiver r determines if the cause of impaired physical mobility could be psychological. Some client is unable to move due to matters that emanate from their psychology state such as depression.
Impaired Physical Mobility Care Plan Intervention
After proving that the patient has impaired physical mobility, the caregiver must strive to implement the action part of the care plan. A nurse will not treat as a physician, but the rationale of the intervention is that it will help to restore mobility if possible. If it is impossible, a caregiver can still assist in preserving urgent motion.
Special care includes helping the patient to change positions, exercises, take nutritious diet and get a safe environment. A care plan for impaired physical mobility involves:
Implementing measures for maintenance of optimal mobility of joints and muscles during immobility through various actions.
- Instructing and assisting clients to exercise the parts of the body they can move at least thrice a day unless there are other institutions by a physician
- Help to perform activities and applying plan according to recommendation by occupational and physical therapists
- Encourage participation in self-care if it is allowed
- Assist the patient to use electrical stimulation devices as required to strength muscles
- Perform actions that reduce contractures ( permanent shortening of joints or muscle due to prolonged immobility)
- Help to determine and take adequate diet with the necessary nutrition to maintain muscle mass, strength, and tone.
Consult the right healthcare providers such as physicians or physiotherapists when there is a need or if the client’s mobility or range of motion is limited beyond expectation.
Marshall the support of family members by teaching and assisting them to assist the patient with a variety of movements. Encouragement from family and friends help to uplift the most of a patient.
A caregiver puts side rails and provides an overhead trapeze for the safety of a patient with mobility challenges.
