Which one is a benefit of early mobility specific to the ICU?

Which one is a benefit of early mobility specific to the ICU?

• A. Decrease ICU delirium
• B. Increase length of stay
• C. Increase weakness
• D. Decrease functional outcomes

Answer: (A)

Starting movement early in the ICU helps prevent delirium by reducing the amount of time patients spend heavily sedated, promoting a more natural wake-sleep cycle, and increasing sensory and cognitive engagement. Delirium in critical illness is often driven by immobilization and sedation, so getting patients moving as soon as it’s safe helps reorient the brain, improves arousal, and lowers both the incidence and duration of delirium. The other outcomes listed aren’t benefits of early mobility: staying in bed longer, increasing weakness, and worsening functional outcomes would all be undesirable, whereas early mobility is aimed at preserving strength and improving function, often with the added advantage of shorter ICU stays.

Starting movement early in the ICU helps prevent delirium by reducing the amount of time patients spend heavily sedated, promoting a more natural wake-sleep cycle, and increasing sensory and cognitive engagement. Delirium in critical illness is often driven by immobilization and sedation, so getting patients moving as soon as it’s safe helps reorient the brain, improves arousal, and lowers both the incidence and duration of delirium.

The other outcomes listed aren’t benefits of early mobility: staying in bed longer, increasing weakness, and worsening functional outcomes would all be undesirable, whereas early mobility is aimed at preserving strength and improving function, often with the added advantage of shorter ICU stays.