Reflection Questions

A home care patient has an exercise plan created by the occupational therapist. This plan was written for daily exercises and includes isometric exercises and bodyweight isotonic exercises. You are the nurse that is visiting today and the patient states, “I don’t want to do the exercises today. They are too hard, and I don’t see how it is helping me.” What interventions would the nurse use to encourage the patient to perform the assigned exercises?

The nurse walks into a patient’s room and sees that they are practicing physical therapy exercises. They have a red and purple band on their table. As the nurse looks at their plan of care, they see that the plan indicates isokinetic exercises. The patient is standing performing shoulder raises with two-pound dumbbells. What education does the nurse need to provide the patient?

Lonnie is 65 years old, resides alone in an urban area that is not safe at night, and lives slightly above the poverty line. In addition, Lonnie uses the public bus system and shops for groceries once a month. During the week they may go to a drugstore to buy snacks and frozen meals. On their last medical visit, Lonnie was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and hearing loss. Give examples of internal and external factors that might impact Lonnie and their mobility.

Your patient, Rajendra, is a 16-year-old high school sophomore who runs the 400 m and 800 m on the track team. Rajendra is recovering from an ankle joint fracture and is newly using crutches. What obstacles may Rajendra face on his first day returning to school?

When sitting a patient who is immobile in a chair, what are some high-pressure areas you would have to ensure had proper cushioning to prevent pressure injury?

Describe how you would assess a patient’s limb with a cast. What signs or symptoms would indicate there was a problem?