what do you put for activity if the patient is paraylzed from waist down?

[onlyj]

i have to fill out a shift assessment page as a nursing student. what do i write for activity if my patient is paralyzed from the waist down? she goes from chair to bed using a ez lift machine.

[Brea LPN]

I would discuss this with your instructor.

[caliotter3]

"Transfer bed/chair"

[CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN]

I would emphasize extremities she can move.

Assisted patient with upper body ROM exercises, prevent muscle wasting and contractions. Patient ADL activity (involves upper extremities to brush teeth, wash face, eat). Good luck!

For the extremities she can't move, emphasize alternating positions to alleviate pressure, prevent bed sores.

[SkylerW]

Chair-fast is what is in the charting system at my hospital.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

What does the patient usually do? Are there brain damage issues, spasticity, flaccidity, contractions? Is the patient A & O? Can the pt tell you what they want to do? Is there some orthopedic issue that restricts mobility of the limbs (even if no active ROM)....there are a LOT of questions that need to be addressed before you can make the assumption that just because someone is a para, they are bedridden in a hospital. What type of bed is used? What is the level of pressure relief on the mattress (basic, or specialized).

You- the actual student- need to think this out :) What are your ideas based on the knowledge you have- and if you don't have the knowledge, where (and from whom) will you find it?

Any splinting? Use of a trapeze? LOTS to find out :)

[GHGoonette, BSN, RN]

You've pretty well got the entire list from XT, Caliotter and Callacode, but don't forget PT and passive exercise of the lower limbs.