A patient with a left-sided cerebrovascular accident should be provided with which intervention to maintain joint mobility?

A patient with a left-sided cerebrovascular accident should be provided with which intervention to maintain joint mobility?

• A. Approach the client from the right side.
• B. Elevate left extremities on a pillow.
• C. Provide full range of motion four or five times a day.
• D. Wrap affected hand into a fist.

Answer: (C)

Maintaining joint mobility after a cerebrovascular accident is best achieved by regular range-of-motion exercises. Doing full range of motion four to five times a day ensures joints and soft tissues stay flexible, prevents stiffness and contractures, and helps preserve muscle length and circulation as weakness or abnormal tone develops on the affected side. If the patient cannot actively move a joint, you would perform passive ROM to maintain mobility, but the key idea is to keep moving the joints frequently to counteract the effects of immobility.

Approaching from a specific side, elevating a limb, or hand positioning that creates a fist don’t directly address preserving ROM. Approaching from the weaker side is important for safety and participation, elevation is for edema management rather than mobility, and wrapping the hand into a fist could promote contracture rather than prevent it.