NUR 699 WEEK 7 ASSIGNMENT 1 FINAL
PREPARATION MANUAL 2026
◉ Define a three-point gait Answer: two crutches advance first, then
ONE good leg hops forward while the NWB leg does not touch
ground
One leg NWB = means that leg cannot touch the ground or support
ANY weight
Moderate speed
Uses crutches only
The injured leg does not touch the ground.
◉ Define a four-point gait Answer: Crutch → opposite leg → crutch
→ opposite leg
Full weight bearing
Slow speed
,Uses Crutches/canes
Everything moves one at a time.
◉ Effects of Immobility on the Body
1. Cardiovascular System Answer: • Increased cardiac workload
The heart must work harder because lying down causes blood to
redistribute, making pumping less efficient.
• Orthostatic hypotension
A sudden drop in blood pressure when moving from lying to
sitting/standing. This happens because blood vessels cannot adjust
quickly after long periods of immobility.
• Venous stasis
Blood pools in the veins of the legs due to lack of muscle movement
(which normally helps pump blood back to the heart).
• Risk of venous thrombosis
Venous stasis increases the risk of blood clots, especially deep vein
thrombosis (DVT).
,◉ Effects of Immobility on the Body
2. Respiratory System Answer: ↓ Depth of respiration
↓ Rate of respiration
Pooling of secretions
Impaired gas exchange
• Atelectasis
Collapse of alveoli due to shallow breathing, reducing oxygen
exchange.
• Hypostatic pneumonia
Inflammation or infection caused by pooled secretions in the lungs.
This happens most commonly in immobile or bedridden patients.
◉ Effects of Immobility on the Body
3. Musculoskeletal System Answer: ↓ Muscle size, tone, and strength
, Muscle atrophy
↓ Joint mobility, flexibility
Bone demineralization
↓ Endurance, stability
↑ Risk for contracture formation
◉ Effects of Immobility on the Body
4. Gastrointestinal System Answer: Disturbance in appetite
Altered protein metabolism
Altered digestion and utilization of nutrients
↓ Peristalsis
◉ Effects of Immobility on the Body
5. Urinary System Answer: ↑ Urinary stasis
PREPARATION MANUAL 2026
◉ Define a three-point gait Answer: two crutches advance first, then
ONE good leg hops forward while the NWB leg does not touch
ground
One leg NWB = means that leg cannot touch the ground or support
ANY weight
Moderate speed
Uses crutches only
The injured leg does not touch the ground.
◉ Define a four-point gait Answer: Crutch → opposite leg → crutch
→ opposite leg
Full weight bearing
Slow speed
,Uses Crutches/canes
Everything moves one at a time.
◉ Effects of Immobility on the Body
1. Cardiovascular System Answer: • Increased cardiac workload
The heart must work harder because lying down causes blood to
redistribute, making pumping less efficient.
• Orthostatic hypotension
A sudden drop in blood pressure when moving from lying to
sitting/standing. This happens because blood vessels cannot adjust
quickly after long periods of immobility.
• Venous stasis
Blood pools in the veins of the legs due to lack of muscle movement
(which normally helps pump blood back to the heart).
• Risk of venous thrombosis
Venous stasis increases the risk of blood clots, especially deep vein
thrombosis (DVT).
,◉ Effects of Immobility on the Body
2. Respiratory System Answer: ↓ Depth of respiration
↓ Rate of respiration
Pooling of secretions
Impaired gas exchange
• Atelectasis
Collapse of alveoli due to shallow breathing, reducing oxygen
exchange.
• Hypostatic pneumonia
Inflammation or infection caused by pooled secretions in the lungs.
This happens most commonly in immobile or bedridden patients.
◉ Effects of Immobility on the Body
3. Musculoskeletal System Answer: ↓ Muscle size, tone, and strength
, Muscle atrophy
↓ Joint mobility, flexibility
Bone demineralization
↓ Endurance, stability
↑ Risk for contracture formation
◉ Effects of Immobility on the Body
4. Gastrointestinal System Answer: Disturbance in appetite
Altered protein metabolism
Altered digestion and utilization of nutrients
↓ Peristalsis
◉ Effects of Immobility on the Body
5. Urinary System Answer: ↑ Urinary stasis
