TEACHING GUIDE
PHYSICAL MOBILITY, IMPAIRED
• Rehabilitation nurses (assists with exercises)
• Physical therapy (works primarily with lower extremities)
• Occupational therapy (works primarily with upper extremities)
EXERCISE PROGRAM PRESCRIBED TO PROMOTE INCREASED MOBILITY
• Exercise improves mobility, circulation and sense of well-being.
• Incorporate active range of motion exercises into daily activities.
• Perform passive range of motion exercises if patient is unable to do active
range of motion exercises.
– Move joint gently, within pain tolerance.
– Support extremity above and below the joint.
– Assure good body alignment.
– Never force the joint past the point of resistance.
– Perform exercise slowly to allow muscle to relax.
• Gradually increase exercise as tolerated.
• Perform good body mechanics (provide Body Mechanics handout).
• Encourage maximum independence.
INTERVENTIONS NECESSARY WHEN MOBILITY IS IMPAIRED
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Maintain good body alignment.
Change position frequently to prevent skin breakdown.
Eat a high-fiber diet to prevent constipation (provide Fiber in Diet handout).
Drink at least two (2) quarts of fluid per day to prevent urinary complications.
MOBILITY AIDS AVAILABLE
• Walkers, canes, wheelchairs, crutches, etc., can be prescribed and fitted by
physical therapy.
• Blocks under chairs and toiled seat elevators are helpful if the patient has
difficulty standing form a sitting position.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS OF IMPAIRED MOBILITY
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Phlebitis
Decubitus ulcer
Pneumonia
Fractures
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Depression
Urinary complications
Muscle weakness and atrophy
Constipation
FORM 165-PHYSICAL MOBILITY, IMPAIRED ©2014 MorseLife, Inc. and MorseLife Learning Institute, www.morselife.org
TEACHING GUIDE
POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE TO IMPROVE MOBILITY
PHYSICAL MOBILITY, IMPAIRED
Impaired Physical Mobility is the limitation of purposeful movement. It may
range from minor limitation to complete inability to move. There are many
causes, including effects of strokes, arthritis, fractures, amputations, etc.