Nursing Diagnosis: Impaired Physical Mobility

As nurses, we often encounter patients who experience impaired physical mobility due to various reasons such as illness, injury, or surgery. In this article, we will explore the concept of nursing diagnosis and how it is related to impaired physical mobility.

To make an accurate nursing diagnosis, we must first assess our patient's situation and gather relevant data. This involves collecting information about the patient's history, symptoms, and medical condition. For example, if a patient has been admitted with chronic pain, we would need to know what caused the pain, how it is affecting their daily activities, and what measures have already been taken to manage the pain.

Next, we must differentiate between the medical diagnosis (the disease or condition itself) and the nursing diagnosis (what we are going to do about it). A medical diagnosis may identify a patient's condition as, for example, osteoarthritis, while a nursing diagnosis would focus on how this condition is impacting the patient's mobility and daily living activities.

In the case of impaired physical mobility, our nursing diagnosis might be something like: 'Risk for decreased mobility related to chronic pain and inability to perform daily activities.' This diagnosis is driven by the patient's assessment data, including their vital signs, lab results, and self-reported symptoms.

Once we have made a nursing diagnosis, we can develop an individualized care plan that addresses the patient's specific needs. For example, our care plan might include teaching the patient proper body mechanics to reduce pain and improve mobility, providing assistive devices such as walkers or canes, and encouraging regular exercise and physical therapy.

In conclusion, making a accurate nursing diagnosis is crucial in developing an effective care plan for patients with impaired physical mobility. By assessing the patient's situation, differentiating between medical and nursing diagnoses, and letting patient data drive our diagnosis, we can provide high-quality care that improves our patients' quality of life.

Nursing diagnosis impaired physical mobility