Nursing care plan for impaired mobility

Introduction

Mobility impairment is the loss of ability to move or perform an action due to physical or medical conditions. It can be temporary or permanent, caused by disease, accident or aging. To improve mobility and reduce the impact of impaired mobility on an individual, it is important to develop a nursing care plan.

Assessment

Type of impairment: The mobility impairment can vary from temporary or permanent, depending on the cause of the disability. It can be caused by musculoskeletal diseases, spinal cord injury, neurological disorders, cerebral palsy, chronic pain, orthopedic surgery, stroke, and age-related conditions.

Functional Limitation: It is important to evaluate the limitations of the patient’s mobility and strength. Mobility limitation can range from difficulty in walking to limited range of motion. Assessment of strength should include the muscle groups involved, intensity of the effort, and duration of the activity.

Mobility Devices: Evaluation of the use of assistive devices such as walkers, wheelchairs, canes, or crutches should be done. Proper use of the device, their availability, and the patient’s acceptance of the device should also be assessed. In addition, the safety of the environment where the patient will use the device should be evaluated.

Nursing diagnosis

Impaired physical mobility related to impaired musculoskeletal function as evidenced by limited range of motion, difficulty in walking, and decreased strength.

Ineffective therapeutic regimen management related to lack of knowledge regarding the effect of the condition on mobility as evidenced by ineffective use of mobility devices and presence of safety hazards that could impede mobility and functioning.

Outcomes

Increased functional mobility: Patient would be able to move around safely, independently and with ease in 6 weeks time.

Effective therapeutic regimen management: Patient would be able to demonstrate safe and effective use of mobility devices and would show improvement in his/her ability to perform activities of daily living in 6 weeks time.

Interventions

• Instruct the patient on appropriate use of mobility aids and participate in physical exercises and therapies that can boost mobility.
• Assess for potential environmental hazards and provide additional assistance where needed.
• Monitor the patient's progress and modify interventions accordingly.
• Provide emotional support and encourage the patient to be as independent as possible.

Rationale

• Instructing the patient on the use of mobility aids, such as walkers, wheelchairs, and canes, helps improve the patient’s mobility and prevent any potential injuries.
• Assessing the environment for potential hazards provides the patient with a safe and secure environment for mobility.
• Monitoring the patient's progress helps the healthcare team to adjust the interventions according to the patient’s needs, ensuring an optimum outcome.
• Providing emotional support and encouraging the patient to become as independent as possible helps increase the patient’s confidence and sense of self-worth.

Evaluation

The success of the nursing care plan can be evaluated using pre and post assessment tools such as the performance of activities of daily living, range of motion, ability to use mobility aids safely, and the patient’s overall functional level. The patient’s progress should be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that the goals of the care plan have been met.

Conclusion

In conclusion, nursing care plans for impaired mobility are important for improving the mobility of patients who are affected by a variety of conditions. The nursing care plan should include the assessment of the type and extent of the mobility impairment, identifying any functional or environmental limitations, and developing interventions that are tailored to the individual needs of the patient. It is important to evaluate the patient’s progress on a regular basis to ensure that the goals of the care plan are being met.

FAQs

• What is impaired mobility? Impaired mobility is the loss of ability to move or perform an action due to physical or medical conditions.
• What are the causes of impaired mobility? The causes of impaired mobility can include musculoskeletal diseases, spinal cord injury, neurological disorders, cerebral palsy, chronic pain, orthopedic surgery, stroke, and age-related conditions.
• How can impaired mobility be treated? Treatment of impaired mobility includes instruction on the use of mobility aids such as walkers, wheelchairs, and canes, physical exercises and therapies, assessing the environment for potential hazards, providing emotional support, and monitoring the patient’s progress.
• What is the evaluation process of nursing care plans? Evaluation of the nursing care plan can be done with pre and post assessment tools such as the performance of activities of daily living, range of motion, ability to use mobility aids safely, and the patient’s overall functional level. The progress should be reviewed on a regular basis.
• How long does it take to improve mobility? The length of time it takes to improve mobility varies based on the severity of the condition and the patient’s response to treatment. Generally, it can take up to 6 weeks for patient to experience improvement in mobility.