An ambulatory patient requests to walk in the hallway. What does OOB ad lib on their chart imply for the nurse's response?

The acronym "OOB ad lib" stands for "out of bed as desired," indicating that the patient is permitted to get out of bed and ambulate freely without restrictions. When a patient who is ambulatory requests to walk in the hallway, this notation on their chart implies that the nurse can confidently allow the patient to walk as requested.

This indicates that the patient is capable of mobilizing and can do so at their own discretion, supporting their autonomy and promoting mobility, which is often beneficial for recovery. Since the patient has made a request to walk and "OOB ad lib" reflects that they are allowed to do so, the appropriate response from the nurse is to acknowledge this request positively, affirming it is perfectly fine for the patient to walk in the hallway.