Effects of Immobilization

Question 1

Prolonged Bed Risks

Answer 1

DVT
Depression
Poor balance
Weakness
Nausea
Dizziness with movement
Hearing/vision changes

Question 2

Bed Rest (Cardiovascular) Decrease

Answer 2

Exercise Tolerance/VO2 max
CO (SV x HR)
Resting and Max SV (residual ventricle volume)
Orthostatic tolerance

Question 3

Bed Rest (Cardiovascular) Increase

Answer 3

Resting HR (contributes to cardiac output, the decrease in stroke volume more than offsets it though)
Venous compliance (contributes to orthostatic intolerance)
Venous pooling - especially in legs (contributes to orthostatic intolerance)

Question 4

Bed Rest (Hematological)

Answer 4

Decrease in blood volume and O2 carrying capacity of RBCs

Question 5

Bed Rest (Musculoskeletal)

Answer 5

Muscle atrophy
Decreased mitochondria density
Decreased aerobic enzymes
Bone demineralization/osteopenia/osteoporosis

Question 6

Bed Rest (Wolff’s Law)

Answer 6

Balance of remodeling and reabsorption is offset, leading to osteopenia/osteoporosis

Question 7

Bed Rest (Pulmonary)

Answer 7

Decreased lung volumes and capacity
Decreased respiratory muscle strength
Increased risk of pneumonia
Increased risk of PE

Question 8

Bed Rest (Metabolic/Endocrine/Electrolytes)

Answer 8

Increased insulin resistance
Hypercalcemia/renal stone formation (precipitated by bone reabsorption)
Increased urinary excretion of NA, K, Ca, Phosphorus (due to bone and muscle degradation)

Question 9

Bed Rest (Psychiatric)

Answer 9

Increase in anxiety, agitation, delirium and depression

Question 10

Bed Rest (Nutrition)

Answer 10

Cachexia (physical wasting)/Malnutrition -> (Men and children are less tolerate of starvation conditions)
Obesity (long term effect)

Question 11

Bed Rest (Other Issues)

Answer 11

Myopathies
Neuropathies
Anorexia
Paralytic ileus
Alteration in clearance of some drugs
Altered circadian rhythm
Pressure ulcers