M11 · Muscle weakness
Actual Movement and self-care
Definition
Muscles lack the strength needed for normal tasks.- Illness
- inactivity
- poor nutrition
- nerve disease
- aging
- Cannot lift
- tires quickly
- trembling
📋 Scenario
After a long ICU stay, a patient cannot lift his arms.
Subjective (S): "My arms feel weak."
Objective (O): After 3 weeks in ICU; cannot lift arms above the shoulder; grip 3/5.
Assessment tools for this scenario: CP-MOVE Movement & Self-Care Score
Validated scales to consider: Barthel Index, Katz ADL
**CarePath diagnosis:** Muscle weakness related to illness, as evidenced by cannot lift and tires quickly.
**Interventions and rationale**
| Intervention | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Encourage exercise. | Regular exercise rebuilds muscle that has wasted from illness and bed rest, and it must increase gradually so he is not overtired. |
| Physiotherapy. | Physiotherapists design safe, targeted programs that restore strength and function, which is needed after a long illness such as his ICU stay. |
| Give protein-rich nutrition. | Muscles need protein to repair and grow, and illness raises protein needs, so a protein-rich diet supports rebuilding his strength. |
| Assist safely. | Safe help prevents falls and strain while his arms and body are weak, and it still lets him do as much as he can. |
| Monitor strength. | Measuring strength regularly shows whether he is improving and lets the plan be changed if he is not. |
**Expected outcomes**
- Within 2 weeks: strength improves one grade.
- Sits unsupported 10 minutes.
- Completes daily exercises.
**Linking the data to the diagnosis**
After 3 weeks in ICU, a patient says, "My arms feel weak." He cannot lift his arms above the shoulder and his grip is 3/5, so the weakness is measurable and already present. That makes this an actual diagnosis, not a risk. Illness is the cause. The plan aims to rebuild strength through exercise, physiotherapy and good nutrition while helping him safely. Within 2 weeks the expected outcomes are strength improving by one grade, sitting unsupported for 10 minutes and completing his daily exercises.
CarePath diagnosis
Muscle weakness related to illness, as evidenced by cannot lift and tires quickly.
Interventions and rationale
Listed in priority order.
| Intervention | Rationale |
|---|---|
| 1. Encourage exercise. | Regular exercise rebuilds muscle that has wasted from illness and bed rest, and it must increase gradually so he is not overtired. |
| 2. Physiotherapy. | Physiotherapists design safe, targeted programs that restore strength and function, which is needed after a long illness such as his ICU stay. |
| 3. Give protein-rich nutrition. | Muscles need protein to repair and grow, and illness raises protein needs, so a protein-rich diet supports rebuilding his strength. |
| 4. Assist safely. | Safe help prevents falls and strain while his arms and body are weak, and it still lets him do as much as he can. |
| 5. Monitor strength. | Measuring strength regularly shows whether he is improving and lets the plan be changed if he is not. |
Expected outcomes
- Within 2 weeks: strength improves one grade.
- Sits unsupported 10 minutes.
- Completes daily exercises.
Linking the data to the diagnosis
After 3 weeks in ICU, a patient says, "My arms feel weak." He cannot lift his arms above the shoulder and his grip is 3/5, so the weakness is measurable and already present. That makes this an actual diagnosis, not a risk. Illness is the cause. The plan aims to rebuild strength through exercise, physiotherapy and good nutrition while helping him safely. Within 2 weeks the expected outcomes are strength improving by one grade, sitting unsupported for 10 minutes and completing his daily exercises.