Question

Matt continues to spend much of his time in bed or lounging in a chair. He is disappointed that his leg is not healing as fast as he thought it would and asks questions about whether he will be able to ride his “hog” again. He needs several suggestions before he practices crutch walking and then settles in the TV room for a long time. Sometimes he experiences dizziness when he gets up quickly. In the last few days, he has been developing a productive cough and has shown some labored breathing. His temperature is slightly elevated, and chest auscultation indicates abnormal breath sounds. A diagnosis of hypostatic pneumonia is made, and antimicrobial therapy is started.

1. How is immobility affecting Matt’s self-image and social life? How could this be altered?

2. Explain how immobility has led to each of the following: a. Hypostatic pneumonia b. Orthostatic hypotension

3. What is the prognosis for Matt?

Answer 1

1Matt may experience depression,hostility and anxiety as a result of immobility.Restricted immobility definitely affects patients self image and independence.Sometime patients may also experience difficulty sleeping when they are unable to get out of the bed.Some of the measures to reduce this are opening the windows of the room so that natural light enters the room,try to read books and chat with friends .listening to music also helps.

2 a Immediate immobilization of fractures ,minimal fracture manipulation,adequate support for fractured bones during turning and positioning and maintenance of fluid and electrolyte balance are measures which reduce the inidence of fat emboli.prompt initiation of respiratorty support is necessary.Increased pressure on the body due to immobility result in pulmonary congestion and pneumonia.As a result of immobility some adverse effects occurs such as thickening of respiratory secretions,pooling of respiratory secretions and increased inability of the client to mobilize and expectorate the secretions and can lead to pneumonia

b When we stand after prolonged sitting gravity causes blood to pool in legs and bloodpressure significantly drops a there is not enough blood in the heart.

3 Prognosis forimmobility in Matts case is he spends much of time in bed and in TV reducing immobility.