N105: Essentials of Nursing Care - Health Differences

Essentials of Nursing Study Guide

©2017 Achieve Test Prep Page 107 of 160 5.3 Factors Influencing Activity and Mobility • Growth and development: Gross motor development occurs in a head-to-toe fashion. Motor development is a progression from head control, to crawling, to standing, to walking. During years 1-5, gross and fine motor skills are refined. Ages 6-12 it continues with the refinement of motor skills and development of exercise patterns for later life. During adolescence, growth spurts contribute to awkwardness and issues with posture. Adults ages 20-40, with the exception of pregnant women, generally have few mobility changes. With advanced age, muscle tone and bone density decrease, joints lose flexibility, reaction time slows, and bone mass decreases (osteoporosis). • Physical health: The presence of illness impairs the mobility and activity tolerance. Congenital problems, such as hip dysplasia, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, and muscular dystrophies, all effect how or if a client can exercise. Nervous systemdisorders like Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, CNS tumors, and CVA (strokes) leave muscle groups weakened, paralyzed, spastic, or flaccid. Strains, sprains, fractures, joint dislocations and inner ear infections impair mobility. • Psychological factors: Depression and chronic stress can affect a person’s desire to move. Exercise can energize the person and facilitate coping. • Nutrition: Poorly nourished people may have muscle weakness and fatigue. Vitamin D deficiency causes bone deformity during growth. Obesity can distort movement and requires extra energy to move. Geographic location and cultural role expectations impact activity and mobility as well. • Personal values and attitudes: Lifestyle is transmitted to children by their parents. This includes regular exercise. • External factors: Excessively high temperatures and high humidity discourage activity. The availability of recreational facilities, as well as neighborhood safety, can also impact a person’s mobility. Altitude, occupation, and time availability also have an impact on exercise. • Prescribed limitations: Immobilization devices like casts, splints, and tractions may hamper active exercise. Patients on bedrest for certain illnesses and patients with dyspnea or shortness of breath on exertion may be advised to not climb stairs or walk for long distances. • Gastrointestinal system: elimination • Metabolic system: metabolic rate can increase twenty times normal rate; reduces level of cholesterol • Urinary system: body excretes wasted more effectively • Psycho/neurologic system : sense of well-being and improved tolerance to stress improved appetite; increased GI tone; improved digestion and