Content area
Full text
Assisting patients to achieve safe and effective mobility during hospitalization involves collaboration with patients and the interprofessional team. Early mobility can enhance care environments and patient outcomes greatly.
Keywords
mobility, immobility, movement, physical activity, recovery, musculoskeletal system, neurologic/nervous system, evidence-based practice, research
Medical-surgical nurses are challenged with successfully integrating effective care strategies for patients with diverse health conditions. Patient mobility often reflects that diversity. According to the American Heart Association [AHA] (2018), 80% of adults and teens do not get adequate exercise. This percentage is especially relevant when an acute illness leads to hospitalization or a more critical problem occurs, resulting in prolonged or permanent immobility. Mobility deficits negatively impact patients' recovery time and lead to rising morbidity and mortality rates (Teodoro et al., 2016). Physical activity is a crucial component involved in optimum body system functioning (Dickinson et al., 2018) but can be underappreciated until a person is affected by health issues (Wilkinson et al., 2020).
A brief overview is provided of how the musculoskeletal and nervous systems facilitate mobility. Benefits of physical activity, complications of immobility, and common barriers leading to missed care are identified. Nursing implications associated with physical activity and the significance of measuring outcomes are explored.
Physiological Influences
Symbiotic functioning of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems influences the complexities involved in mobility. Three distinct muscle types (cardiac, smooth [visceral], skeletal) impact movement-related functions in various body areas. Cardiac muscle is located solely in the heart and can contract spontaneously, which results in the heart beating. Visceral muscle in the body's vasculature, and gastrointestinal and genitourinary organs, produces movement that promotes blood flow and peristalsis. Tendons attach skeletal muscle to the bone, and flexion and relaxation of the skeletal muscle produce joint movement (Wilkinson et al., 2020). Bones of the skeletal system rely on the specific functions of joints, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons (and skeletal muscle) to provide protection and stability for movement and mobility to occur. The nervous system has ultimate control over motor functions of the musculoskeletal system. Two types of motor nerves impact the musculoskeletal system: somatic nerves (regulate voluntary and intentional movements) and autonomic nerves (regulate involuntary responses) (Moulton et al., 2019; Wilkinson et al., 2020).
Benefits of Mobility
The value of physical activity cannot be...