Nursing Exam 1 Part 2 Review Sheet
Normal functions of the musculoskeletal
Alignment and posture
o Achieved when the joints and muscles are not experiencing extremes in extension or
flexion or unusual stress
Bal
...
Nursing Exam 1 Part 2 Review Sheet
Normal functions of the musculoskeletal
Alignment and posture
o Achieved when the joints and muscles are not experiencing extremes in extension or
flexion or unusual stress
Balance
o Maintaining balance is a complex function of counteracting gravity and coordinating
reflexes to maintain posture.
Coordinated movement
o The cerebellum, cerebral cortex, and basal ganglia are responsible for the control of
motor functions
Subjective: Normal Pattern
o Normal activity pattern; recent changes. exercises ; type of employment; leisure activities
should be included
o Activity level pattern and motivation to change should be noted
o Rating scales may be useful for documenting level of independence for tasks requiring
mobility
Impact of immobility: physiologic
Muscle atrophy & weakness
o Reduction in muscle size (atrophy) results from the alterations in metabolism that occur
during immortality; the body breaks down muscle mass to obtain energy (catabolic meta)
Contractures & joint pain
o In active, mobile person, movement promotes the formation of new connective tissue
deposited around joints & muscles; tissue is loose & pliable
During immobility, stretching of muscles & movement of joints cease → results in
deposition of denser, less pliable fibrotic tissue & renders joints more fixed &
unable to move normally
o Impaired blood flow to the muscle or joint hastens the formation of contractures
Flexion contractures are the most common in immobilized patients
Patients may assume positions of flexion naturally because these positions
require less muscle stress & tension to maintain
Flexor muscles are usually stronger than their extensor counterparts
Foot drop → contracture in which the foot is fixed in plantar flexion
o Increased cardiac workload → heart must work harder when the body is supine than
when it is erect
Pooling of blood in legs usually does not occur in supine position
With less gravitational pull, blood can be redistributed from the legs to the trunk
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