BODY MECHANICS

Fundamental of Nursing I

BODY MECHANICS The purposeful and coordinated use of body parts

and position during activity. Describe the efficient,

coordinating, and safe use of the body to move objects and carry out the activities of daily living.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BODY MECHANICS

• Proper body alignment and posture prevent fatigue and deformities

• Good posture promotes normal physiological functions of the body. It aids in circulation and digestion

• It helps to maintain the balance of the body without undue strain on the body parts

• It contributes to one’s beauty• Good posture prevents the development of

kyphosis, lardosis and scoliosis etc.

POOR POSTURE WILL CAUSE

PRINCIPLES OF BODY MECHANICS Proper balancing of all parts helps to conserve

energy. Stability of the body is maintained by is maintained

by having a greater base of support Injury and strain on the lower back can be avoided

by performing pelvic tilt before the activity

CONT

• Facing the direction of work will help to avoid the chances of injury

• Initiating movement requires more energy than maintaining the movement of an object

• Moving an object from a level surface requires less energy

• Reducing friction between the object moved and the surface on which it is moved requires less energy

• Holding an object close to the body requires less energy than holding it farther away.

CONT

Muscle strain can be avoided by using the strong leg muscles when lifting, pushing and pulling

Smooth continuous movements are easier and safer than sudden and sharp or uncontrolled movements

Using rhythmic movements at normal speed require less energy

HOW TO SIT CORRECTLY

RULES OF BODY MECHANICS

Assess the situation carefully before acting, careful planning is very important

Maintain good posture in all activities. Stand with a wide base support. The greater the base of support the more stable the body is.

Use stronger, larger and longer muscles of the body which include the shoulders, upper arms, thighs and hips

While lifting, moving or carrying an object keep it close to the body to prevent unnecessary strain on the muscle

CONT

Avoid unnecessary bending and reaching for the object. Flex the knees to come close to the object. Adjust the bed /table to the proper height.

Keep work close to the body e.g., sit close to the desk when performing a task at a desk

Slide, roll, push or pull the object rather than lifting it in order to reduce the energy needed to lift the weight against the pull of gravity

CONT

Use the weight of the body to pull or push an object

Face the area of direction of work Use both the hands and arms for lifting ,

moving or carrying While changing the direction of movement

turn the whole body Avoid sudden jerky movements To lift heavy objects get help from others. Squat to lift heavy objects from the floor

CONT Bend hips, knees to alter position of the body.

Use elbows, hip and knees as levers when lifting Use mechanical devices when appropriate.

Holding the breath during a physical activity is an indication of muscle strain and inefficient use of body mechanics

PROPER LIFTING

PROPER LIFTING

CORRECTPOSITION

THEREFORE, WE MUST LEARN FROM HIM!

POSITIONING

PRONE POSITION

Used to examine spine and back. Patient lies on abdomen with head turned to

one side for comfort. Arms may be above head or alongside body. Cover with sheet or bath blanket.

NOTE: An unconscious patient, or one with an abdominal incision or breathing difficulty usually cannot lie in this position.

HORIZONTAL RECUMBENT POSITION

Used for most physical examinations. Patient is on his back with legs extended.

Arms may be above the head, alongside the body or folded on the chest.

DORSAL RECUMBENT POSITION

Use: For vaginal examination Patient is on his back with knees flexed and

soles of feet flat on the bed. Fold sheet once across the chest. Fold a second sheet crosswise over the thighs and legs so that genital area is easily exposed.

FOWLER'S POSITION

Used to promote drainage or ease breathing. Also for eating, improvement of cardiac output and watching TV

Sitting position raises client’s head 80 - 90˚ (high) with pillows support for head, arms and legs

Contraindications: Post spine or brain surgery

SEMI – FOWLER’S

Semi-sitting position with head elevation of 30 - 45˚

Uses: Clients with difficulty of breathing. Also for eating, improvement of cardiac

output and watching TV Contraindications: Post spine or brain

surgery

DORSAL LITHOTOMY POSITION

Used for examination of pelvic organs. Similar to dorsal recumbent position, except

that the patient's legs are well separated and thighs are acutely flexed. Feet are usually placed in stirrups. Fold sheet or bath blanket crosswise over thighs and legs so that genital area is easily exposed. Keep patient covered as much as possible.

SIM'S POSITION

Used for rectal examination. A choice position for clients with pressure sore or bony prominences of back and sacrum

Patient is on left side with right knee flexed against abdomen and left knee slightly flexed. Left arm is behind body; right arm is placed comfortably.

NOTE: Patient with leg injuries or arthritis usually cannot assume this position.

KNEE-CHEST POSITION

Used for rectal and vaginal examinations and as treatment to bring uterus into normal position.

Patient is on knees with chest resting on bed and elbows resting on bed or arms above head. Head is turned to one side. Thighs are straight and lower legs are flat on bed.

NOTE: Do not leave patient alone; he/she may become dizzy, faint, and fall.

SIDE-LYING

Client lies on the side with weight on the hip and shoulder with pillows supporting legs, arm, head and back

Uses: A choice position for clients with pressure sore or bony prominences of back and sacrum

Contraindications: Clients with post hip replacement and other orthopedic surgery

TRENDELENBURG

Lies supine with head 30 - 40˚ lower than the feet

Uses: For postural drainage and promotion of venous blood return

Contraindication: Increase intra cranial pressure.

Hypotension may result from this position

DEVICES USED FOR POSITIONING:

Pillows – Provides support, raise/elevate body parts

Trochanter rolls – Prevent external rotation of legs when patient is in supine position

Sand bags – Provide support and shape to body contours; immobilize extremities and maintain specific body alignment

Side rails – Bars positioned along the sides of the length of the bed. These ensure that the client remains safe and are very useful in increasing mobility.

These also aid rolling from side to side or sitting up in bed

Trapeze bar – This hangs from a securely fastened overhead bar attached to the bed frame. This allows the client to use the upper extremities to raise the trunk off the bed

Bed boards – These are plywood boards placed under the entire surface of the mattress and are useful for increasing back support and alignment

Foot board – Place perpendicular to the mattress, parallel to and touching the plantar surfaces of the patient’s feet.

It prevents foot drop by maintaining the dorsiflexion of the feet. The nurse must check if the client’s feet are firmly placed against the board.

ACTIVITY & EXERCISES

Type of physical activity defined as planned, structured and repetitive bodily movement done to improve or maintain physical fitness

Range of Motion – the maximum movement that is possible for a joint. Do not force it beyond where it will move comfortably

Flexibility: the ability to move a joint through a series of articulations in a full non-restricted, pain-free range of motion (ROM).

Stretching: techniques used to lengthen shortened soft tissues at the musculo tendinous units to facilitate an increase in ROM.

PURPOSES

To maintain good body alignmentTo improve muscle strength and

enduranceTo improve muscle toneTo improve circulationTo relieve spasmTo prevent or correct contracture

deformitiesTo promote sense of well-being

TYPES OF EXERCISES

Active ROM – Done by the clientPassive ROM – Done for the clientActive-Resistive ROM – Done by the client against a weight or force

Active – Assistive ROM – Done by the stronger arm and leg to the weaker arm and leg

JOINT MOVEMENTS

Flexion – Decreasing the angle of the joints

Example: Bending the elbowExtension – Increasing the angle of the joints

Example: Straightening the arm at the elbow

Hyperextension – Further extension or straightening of a joint

Example: Bending the head backward

Abduction – Movement of the bone away from the midline of the body

Adduction – Movement of the bone towards the midline of the body

Rotation – Movement of the bone around its central axis

Circumduction – Movement of the distal part

Eversion – Turning the sole of the foot outward by moving the ankle joint

Inversion – Turning the sole of the foot inward by moving the ankle joint

Pronation – Moving the bones of the forearm so that the palm of the hand face downward when held in front of the body

Supination – Moving the bones of the forearm so that the palm

ALPHABET SIGN LANGUAGE

END!!!!!

THE ENDTHANK YOU

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