Nursing Interventions for Contractures	Rationales
Assess the patient’s level of functional mobility and ability to perform ADLs.	To assist in creating an accurate diagnosis and monitor effectiveness of treatment and therapy.
Assist the patient during exercises and when performing activities of daily living.	To encourage the patient to perform muscle-strengthening exercises and promote dignity by allowing the patient to perform their ADLs while maintaining safety.
Ensure the safety of the environment. Check that the call bell is within reach, the bed rails are up when the patient is on the bed, the bed is in the lowest level, the room is well-lit, the floor is not slippery, and that important things like phone and eyeglasses are easy to reach.	To maintain patient safety and reduce the risk of falls.
Encourage the patient to perform range of motion (ROM) exercises in all extremities.	To improve venous return, muscle strength, and stamina while preventing stiffness and contracture deformation.
Refer to the physiotherapy and occupational therapy team.	To provide a specialized care for the patient to gain physical and mental support in performing ADLs and mobilizing.

Nursing Interventions for Contractures	Rationales
Assess the patient’s degree of fatigability by asking to rate his/her fatigue level (mild, moderate, or severe). Explore activities of daily living, as well as actual and perceived limitations to physical activity. Ask for any form of exercise that he/she used to do or wants to try.	To create a baseline of activity levels, degree of fatigability, and mental status related to fatigue and activity intolerance.
Encourage activity through self-care and exercise as tolerated Alternate periods of physical activity with rest and sleep. Encourage enough rest and sleep, and provide comfort measures.	To help the patient balance his/her physical activity and rest periods. To reserve energy levels and provide optimal comfort and relaxation.
Teach deep breathing exercises and relaxation techniques. Provide adequate ventilation in the room.	To allow the patient to relax while at rest. To allow enough oxygenation in the room.
Refer the patient to physiotherapy / occupational therapy team as required.	To provide a more specialized care for the patient in terms of helping him/her build confidence in balancing daily physical activity and rest periods.

Nursing Interventions for Contractures	Rationales
Assess the patient’s vital signs. Ask the patient to rate the pain from 0 to 10, and describe the pain he/she is experiencing.	To create a baseline set of observations for the patient. The 10-point pain scale is a globally recognized pain rating tool that is both accurate and effective.
Administer analgesics/ pain medications as prescribed.	To provide pain relief to the patient.
Ask the patient to re-rate his/her acute pain 30 minutes to an hour after administering the analgesic.	To assess the effectiveness of treatment.
Provide more analgesics at recommended/prescribed intervals.	To promote pain relief and patient comfort without the risk of overdose.
Reposition the patient in his/her comfortable/preferred position. Encourage pursed lip breathing and deep breathing exercises.	To promote optimal patient comfort and reduce anxiety/ restlessness.
Refer the patient to a pain specialist as required.	To enable to patient to receive more information and specialized care in pain management if needed.

Nursing Interventions for Contractures	Rationale
Assess the patient’s limitations to self-care by asking open-ended questions.	To explore the patient’s self-care limitations and needs while allowing him/her to express his/her personal thoughts and feelings related to ADLs.
Offer appropriate pain medication as prescribed at least 30 minutes before the patient performs self-care activities.	Pain might discourage the patient to mobilize and carry out self-care activities.
Educate the patient’s carer or significant other on providing appropriate assistance to the patient while he/she performs self-care tasks.	To provide learning to the carer or significant other and to ensure that the patient has a good amount of support while doing ADLs at home. Skilled home services might be needed if there is no available significant other to care for the patient.
Refer the patient to occupational therapist.	Occupational therapists are skilled professionals in helping clients achieve optimal performance in their daily activities like bathing, dressing, and personal hygiene tasks.
Coordinate with the physical therapy team on how to create and initiate an exercise program for the patient.	A customized exercise plan can help the patient in terms of increasing his/her endurance and strength which he/she will need when doing self-care activities.
Encourage the patient to use assistive devices and grooming aids as needed.	To promote autonomy when performing self-care activities.

Contractures Nursing Care Plans Diagnosis and Interventions

Signs and Symptoms of Contractures