The nurse is educating a patient about the use of a cane due to weakness of the left leg.
Which statement by the patient would indicate teaching has been effective?

Choice C rationale:

When a patient has been bedridden for an extended period, such as two weeks, the nurse expects to find atrophy of leg muscles due to immobility. Lack of physical activity leads to muscle wasting, which can result in decreased muscle mass and strength. This condition is reversible with proper rehabilitation and exercise.

Choice A rationale:

Decreased respiratory rate due to stronger lungs is not a typical effect of immobility. Immobility can lead to decreased lung expansion and increased risk of respiratory complications, such as pneumonia.

Choice B rationale:

Increased urinary output due to enhanced bladder muscle tone is not a direct effect of immobility. Immobility can affect urinary elimination, but it is more likely to cause urinary retention due to decreased mobility and inability to reach the bathroom independently.

Choice D rationale:

Frequent bowel movements due to increased peristalsis are not expected with immobility. Immobility often leads to slowed peristalsis, which can result in constipation rather than frequent bowel movements.

Choice B rationale:

Isometric exercises involve contracting muscles without changing the length of the muscle or joint angle. In this case, squeezing the gluteal muscles tightly constitutes an isometric exercise. Isometric exercises are often used in rehabilitation settings to strengthen specific muscle groups without putting too much strain on the joints.

Choice A rationale:

Option A describes a range of motion exercise involving the wrist, which is not an isometric exercise. Isometric exercises focus on static muscle contractions, not dynamic movements like circular motions.

Choice C rationale:

Lifting a 5-pound weight to increase arm strength involves isotonic exercise, not isometric exercise. Isotonic exercises involve muscle contractions with movement and changing muscle length, unlike isometric exercises, where muscle length remains constant.

Choice D rationale:

Bending the knee up to the chest is an example of a range of motion exercise and does not constitute an isometric exercise. Range of motion exercises involve moving joints through their full extent, but isometric exercises involve static muscle contractions without joint movement.