Question

What should be included in the patient's care plan when establishing an exercise program for a patient affected by a stroke?

A) Schedule passive range of motion every other day.
B) Keep activity limited, as the patient may be over stimulated.
C) Have the patient perform active range-of-motion (ROM) exercises once a day.
D) Exercise the affected extremities passively four or five times a day.

Answer 1

An appropriate physical therapy plan for stroke patients should include both passive and active range-of-motion exercises, initiated with a heat pack for healing and concluded with icing to manage inflammation, all under the supervision of a physiotherapist.

Step-by-step explanation:

When establishing an exercise program for a patient affected by a stroke, it is critical to include exercises that target muscle function and minimize functional impairments caused by the stroke. This can include a combination of passive and active range-of-motion (ROM) exercises. A suggested care plan might involve:

• Applying a heat pack to the affected area to draw blood and enhance healing.
• Performing active ROM exercises once a day to stimulate neural inputs and restore muscle function.
• Engaging in passive ROM exercises multiple times a day to maintain joint flexibility and prevent muscle atrophy.
• Gradually increasing exercise intensity and duration as tolerated, guided by a physiotherapist.
• Incorporating endurance and moderate to high-intensity exercises as part of the overall rehabilitation process, as per the patient's progress.

Physiotherapists will closely monitor this appropriate physical therapy plan, ensuring that the patient's recovery is on track and adjusting the exercise regimen as needed for optimal recovery.