374 Unit 4 Healthcare Skills Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. The human body is designed for motion and activity. Regular exercise contributes to a healthy body and well-being, while immobility has a nega- tive effect. A joint that has not moved suffi can begin to stiffen within ficiently 24 hours and will eventually become infl Long periods of joint immo- flexible. bility may also negatively affect tendons and muscles. Therefore, exercise is very important, particularly for someone who is immobile. Exercise has many benefi including fits, • maintaining joint mobility • preventing contractures, atony, y and atrop p hy y of muscles • promoting circulation to prevent thrombus and embolus formation • improving coordination and • building and maintaining muscle strength. Most people move and exercise their joints and muscles when they perform activities of daily living (ADL). activities of dail y livin g (ADL ) Some have regular exercise plans. Maintaining proper posture p and body alignment also plays an important role in achieving proper mobility. Figure 13.1 provides the meaning of several abbreviations and acronyms commonly used in healthcare to describe mobility. You will see how these terms are used while reading this chapter. Body Alignment, Posture, and Body Mechanics Body y alignment g is the optimal placement of body parts so that bones and t t muscles are used effi To obtain correct posture, you must have good body ficiently. fi alignment. Therefore, it is critical that patients maintain proper body alignment at contracture a condition characterized by the tightening or shortening of a body part, such as muscle, tendon, or skin, due to lack of movement atony lack of sufficient muscular fi tone atrophy a decrease in size or wasting away of a body part or tissue thrombus a blood clot that forms in a blood vessel and remains at the site of formation embolus a mass, most commonly a blood clot, that becomes lodged in a blood vessel and obstructs the fl ow of blood fl activity of daily living (ADL) any basic self-care task, including grooming, bathing, and eating posture position of the body when sitting or standing body alignment the optimal placement of body parts so that bones are used efficiently and muscles fi have to do less work to get the same effect Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Figure 13.1 These common abbreviations and acronyms are often used when discussing patient mobility in healthcare. Mobility Abbreviations and Acronyms Abbreviation or Acronym Meaning AAROM active assistive range of motion ABD abduction ADL activities of daily living Amb ambulation BR bedrest BRP bathroom privileges CPM continuous passive motion HOB head of bed OOB out of bed ROM range of motion Up ad lib up as desired W/C wheelchair