Problem
Mrs. Mobilio is a 79-year-old woman admitted to hospital with a left knee injury due to a fall she had at home. She is thin and mentally alert but has periods of confusion in the evening. Her skin is dry and wrinkled. She requires assistance to use the toilet. She is right-handed and has generalized weakness in all limbs. She is not on any medications.
I. How can you encourage her to help herself as you help to position her? What is one priority concern you must keep in mind as you assist her to change positions?
II. Which range of motion exercises would be most appropriate to include on her care plan to maintain or improve her mobility?
III. Which assistive device would be most suitable to recommend for Mrs. Mobilio to increase her ability to ambulate? What member of the interprofessional team could be consulted to determine the most appropriate device? Explain your answers.
IV. What would be her Falls Risk Score based on the Schmid Fall Risk Assessment Tool (Potter et al, p. 851)?