MOBILITY DEFINITION, PURPOSE, SHIFTING LIFTING OF THE PATIENTS, DIFFERENT POSITIONS,

9. DEFINITION
Body mechanics is the coordinated effort of the musculo- skeletal and
nervous system to maintain balance, posture and body alignment during
lifting, moving, positioning and performing activities of daily living.

10. PURPOSES OF MAINTAINING PROPER BODY
MECHANICS
Use of proper body mechanics in terms of posture and alignment
helps in-
• reducing risk of injury to the musculo-skeletal system.
• Facilitating body movement without muscle strain and excessive
use of muscle energy.
• Maintaining adequate muscle tone; thus contributing to
balance of the body.
• preventing fatigue and deformities e.g. kyphosis, lordosis etc.
• Promoting physiological functions of the body as it aids in
• circulation and digestion.
• reducing energy expenditure.
• facilitating aesthetic well-being in terms of physical fitness and
shape.

11. • To maintain good balance
• To reduce the energy required
• To avoid excessive fatigue
• To avoid muscle strains or tears
• To avoid skeletal injuries
• To avoid injury to the patient
• To avoid injury to assisting staff members

12. TERMINOLOGY RELAED TO BODY MECHANICS
Thereare various terms used in relation to body mechanics.
Some of these terms are
• Body Alignment- Body alignment refers to the positioning of joints, tendons,
ligaments and muscles while in standing, sitting and lying positions.
• Body Balance- Body balance refers to a state of the body achieved when the
centre of gravity is balanced over a wide, stable base of support and a vertical
line falls from the centre of gravity through the base of support.

14. • Posture- Posture refers to the position of the body in relation to the
surrounding space. It is the relationship of various body parts at rest
or any phase of activity.
• Mobility- Mobility is a person’s ability to move about freely owing
to his/her voluntary motor and sensory control of the body’s regions.

15. • Immobility- Immobility occurs when the individual is confined to a
position and is unable to move or change positions independently.
• Bed Rest- Bed rest is an intervention in which the client is
restricted to bed for therapeutic reasons.
• Weight- Weight is the force exerted on a body by gravity.

16. • Friction- Friction is a force that occurs in a direction to oppose
movement.
• Anatomical Position- Anatomical position refers to a position
wherein the individual stands erect (upright position) facing the
observer, with feet on the floor and arms placed at the sides, and
the palms of the hands turned forward.

17. PRINCIPLES
1. Maintain a stable centre of gravity
Keep ur centre of gravity low
Keep ur back straight
Bend at the knees and hips
2. Maintain a wide base of support. It will provide u with maximum stability
while lifting
 Keep ur feet apart
 Place one foot slightly ahead of the other
 Flex ur knees
 Turn with ur feet

18. 3. Maintain the line of gravity.
Keep ur back straight
Keep the object being lifted close to ur body
4. Maintain proper body alignment
Face the direction of movement
Use large muscle groups of the legs, arms & shoulders
Push, pull, slide or roll a heavy object on a surface to avoid
unnecessary lifting

25. FACTORS INFLUENCING BODY MECHANICS
• Muscle tone- It is the normal state of balanced muscle tension that is
achieved by alternative contraction and relaxation, without active
movement of neighbouring fibres of a specific muscle group. This
helps a body part to be maintained in a functioning position without
muscle fatigue.

26. • Muscle groups- The type of muscle group involved in posture and
movement also influence body mechanics. These muscle groups can be three
types:
 Antagonistic muscles work together to bring about movement at the joint.
 Synergistic muscles contract together to accomplish the same movement.
 Antigravity muscles continuously oppose the effect of gravity on body and
permit a person to maintain an upright or sitting posture.

27. • Personality and mood of individual-
Posture and movement can be reflections of
personality and mood. For instance, a person with a
dramatic personality gestures with hands; a person who
is fatigued or depressed may show minimum or least
movements with a dull posture.

33. HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH
IMMOBILITY

43. POSITIONS

44. SUPINE POSITION

45. SEMI-RECUMBENT

46. PRONE POSITION

47. LATERAL POSITION

48. FOWLER’S POSITION

49. CARDIAC POSITION

51. POSITION USED FOR PHYSICAL
EXAMINATION

52. DORSAL/HORIZONTAL RECUMBENT
POSITION

53. DORSAL RECUMBENT POSITION

54. ERECT POSITION

55. SIM’S POSITION

56. LITHOTOMY

57. KNEE CHEST/GENUPECTORAL

58. TRENDLENBURG

59. REVERSE TRENDLENBURG

60. MOVING, LIFTING AND
TRANSFERING OF CLIENTS

61. Condition which affect moving, lifting, transferring of clients:
Obesity
Fragility
Amputation
Paralysis
Extra equipment needs
Altered level of consciousness
Language barriers
Hearing or vision loss

62. Moving
Preparation before moving patients:
Check the medical officer’s order.
Check the level of consciousness
Obtain the equipment such as stretcher, IV poles, clamps for disconnecting
tubes, holder for drainage bags and the number of personnel needed to
move the patient safely.
Assess for presence of muscle, skin and bone lesions and attachment, eg.
Catheters and IV connections.
Ensure bed wheels are locked and start with the bed level

63. 1.Moving a patient up in the bed
Lower the head rail to a level position and move the mattress up before
repositioning the patient.

65. a. Moving the mattress up
b. Moving the patient up
c. Using a draw sheet

67. 2. Assisting a patient to raise head &
shoulders

68. 3. Moving a patient to the side on the bed

69. 4. Turning a patient on his side

70. Log rolling

71. Lifting

72. Lifting the patient from the floor to a bed or
wheel chair

73. Transferring Patients from Bed to Wheelchair

75. Wash your hands with antibacterial soap
and water

76. Tell the patient you are transferring them

77. Identify the patient’s dominant side

78. Check that the transfer area is free of any
obstructions or slipping hazards

79. Place the chair next to the patient’s bed on
their dominant side

80. Use your hands to roll the patient onto the
same side as the chair

81. Swing the patient’s feet off the edge of the
bed and move them into a sitting position

82. Lower the bed using the bed controls

83. Put a gait belt on the patient if they cannot
stay upright on their own

84. Lock your hands behind the patient or at
the gait belt

85. Place the patient’s outside leg between
your knees

86. Stand and lift the patient, pivoting towards
the chair

87. Lower the patient into the chair

88. Moving a patient to stretcher

89. Get 1 person to assist you

90. Line up the stretcher with the patient’s bed

91. Shift the patient to the edge of the bed and
roll them away from you.

92. Lower the guard on 1 side of the bed and
place the slide board under the patient

93. Roll the patient onto their back so they are
supported by the slide board

94. Slide the patient onto the stretcher with the
help of your assistant.

95. Remove the slide board and position the
patient comfortably on the stretcher

99. Types of movements at various joints
Abduction
Moving a body part away from the
midline.
Eg. Moving the palm at wrist joint.
Adduction
moving a body part towards the
midline.
Eg. Bringing fingers together

100. Flexion
bending a body part
Eg; bending of head towards chest
Extension
straightening a body part.
Eg; head in erect position.

101. Hyperextension
excessive straightening of a body part.

102. Rotation
moving in a circle at a joint.
Eg; turning head from side to side.

103. There are 2 types:
• Internal rotation: turning a joint on its axis towards body’s
midline.
Eg; turning foot and leg toward other leg
• External rotation: turning a joint on its axis away from the body’s
midline
Eg; turning foot and leg away from other leg.

105. Pronation
turning a lower arm and hand so
palm is face downward
Supination
turning a lower arm and hand so
palm is face upward

106. Inversion
turning the feet inward, so toes are pointing
toward the midline
Eversion
turning the feet outward, so toes are pointing
away from the midline

107. Dorsiflexion
Bending of the foot at the ankle in the direction of the dorsum.
Eg; standing on heels
Plantar flexion
Bending the foot at the ankle joint in the direction of the plantar (inferior
surface)
Eg; standing on toes

109. Radial deviation
Moving toward the thumb side
Ulnar deviation
Moving toward the little finger
side

110. Opposition
Movement of thumb across the palm to touch finger tip on the
same hand

112. NECK, CERVICAL (PIVOTAL SPINE)
EXERCISE

115. ROTATION

116. SHOULDER (BALL & SOCKET)

118. ELBOW (HINGE)

120. FOREARM (PIVOTAL)

122. WRIST (CONDYLOID)

125. FINGER (CONDYLOID HINGE)

127. THUMB (SADDLE)

129. HIP (BALL & SOCKET)

132. KNEE (HINGE)

134. ANKLE (HINGE)

136. FOOT (GLIDING)

138. TOES (CONDYLOID)

145. Nursing diagnosis
• Ineffective tissue perfusion: potential for thrombus formation related to altered
mobility as evidenced by unconsciousness, or redness noted at calf.
Goal: pt. will remain free of DVT.
Interventions
Maintain anti embolism stockings and sequential pneumatic compression.
Turn & reposition at least every 2 hrs.
Perform passive ROM exercises 3 times a day.
Maintain adequate hydration with parenteral therapy and tube feeding as
prescribed

146. Nursing diagnosis
Impaired physical mobility related to altered neurological
functioning related to complete bed rest as evidenced by no spontaneous
movements
Goal: pt. will maintain neurological function and be free from
muscular contractures.

147. Interventions
Assess motor function
Turn and reposition at least every 2 hrs.
Support proper body alignment using positioning devices
Use foot board to prevent foot drop
Use wrist splints and hand rolls to maintain functional position.
Perform passive ROM 3 times a day; teach parents to assist with exercise.
Consult physical therapy and occupational therapy
Explain procedure to pt. prior to performing activity.

148. Nursing diagnosis
Impaired skin integrity related to altered mobility from skin accidents
Goal: pt. will maintain intact skin integrity.

149. Interventions
Assess skin every 8 hrs.
Maintain nutrition by monitoring tube feedings as prescribed
Use alternating pressure mattress
Turn and reposition every 2 hrs.
Remove protective devices and splints periodically to assess for skin
irritation
Assess IV insertion site for any redness or swelling
Document any areas of skin breakdown
Check for incontinence frequently and cleanse perirectal area, apply barrier
cream