POSITIONING &
DRAPING DURING
BY: ANDREI AL COLON | BSN 1A
introduction
Positioning and draping are techniques that maximize patient comfort and
dignity. Patient positioning involves properly maintaining a patient’s
neutral body alignment by preventing hyperextension and extreme lateral
rotation from avoiding complications of immobility and injury. Draping lets
your patient know you are concerned for their privacy and modesty. It
sends a message that you are working clinically when providing hands-on
care. Draping prevents inadvertent soiling during bedside activities.
Positioning and draping patients is an essential aspect of nursing practice
and a responsibility of the registered nurse.
DEFINITION
Ppositioning
OSITIONING
D
RAPING
draping
Positioning is defined as planning the
person in a proper body alignment for
the purpose of preventive, promotive,
curative, and rehabilitative aspects of
health or placing the patient in good
body alignment as needed
therapeutically.
Draping is the procedure of covering a
patient and surrounding areas with a
sterile barrier to create and maintain a
sterile field during a physical
examination. This is done to ensure the
privacy of the patient.
rationale
To provide comfort and privacy
during physical examination.
materials
Dummy
Cloth
Pillows
Bed
PLANNING &
IMPLEMENTATION
1. The methods of draping vary with
the condition of the client, the
position ofthe client, the
examination to be done, and the
room temperature.
2. The draping should be loose
enough to allow the quick change of
position.
action
a
ction
Introduce self.
Explain the procedure to the client.
Adjust height of bed.
rrationale
ationale
This reduces the anxiety of the
clients thus encouraging
cooperation.
To avoid undue strain on both
examiner and client.
types of
patient positioning
Erect
Dorsal Lithotomy
Supine
Sim's Lateral
Prone
Fowler's Position
Dorsal Recumbent
Knee-Chest Position
erect
position
This is the optimal position for the
musculoskeletal system.
It evaluates the health of several body
parts, including the spine and joints. It is
utilized for various purposes, including
neurological examination, gait analysis, and
cerebral function evaluation.
supine
position
The patient lies flat on their back with their
head and shoulders slightly elevated using
a pillow unless contraindicated. Supine is
the most widely used posture for general
examinations and physical assessments.
The head and neck, axillae, anterior thorax,
lungs, breasts, heart, belly, and various
extremities are all assessed in this posture.
prone
position
In the prone position, the patient lies on
their stomach, with the head turned to one
side and the hips not flexed at the hip joint.
Positioning the body in this manner allows
you to check various body parts, such as
the posterior thorax, hips, and joints.
People over the age of 65 and those
suffering from cardiovascular and
respiratory disorders are susceptible to
this. The prone position should only be
used when the client’s back is correctly
aligned.
dorsal
recumbent
Health care professionals, such as
physicians or nurse practitioners, can use
this position to examine the anterior and
ventral portions of their patient's anatomy,
including the head, neck, thorax/chest
(heart and lungs), abdomen, genitals, and
rectum.
dorsal
lithotomy
The lithotomy posture is widely employed
to examine the vagina, penis, rectum, or
anus regions. Low, standard, high, and
extreme lithotomy positions are all
variations on the essential lithotomy
position, determined by how high the lower
body is raised or elevated for the process.
This position may be uncomfortable for
others, and it may be particularly
uncomfortable for the elderly.
sims'
lateral
In Sims' Latera; position, the patient adopts
a midway between the lateral and prone
positions. Neither arm is flexed at the
shoulder or the elbow on either side. At the
hip and the knee, the upper leg is more
acutely flexed than the lower leg. This is
typically used for rectal examinations,
treatments, enemas, and examining women
for vaginal wall prolapse, among other
applications.
fowler's
position
The Fowler's position is the most overall
posture for patients who can relax
peacefully in their beds. In most cases, the
Fowler's patient placement evaluates the
head, shoulder, neck, posterior and
anterior thorax, lungs, breasts, axillae,
heart, vital signs, upper and lower limbs,
and the reflexes of the patient.
knee chest
position
Knee-chest position is assumed for a
gynecologic or rectal examination. An
individual's posture is supported by the
knees and chest resting on a bed. This is
not suitable for senior citizens and weak
patients with underlying conditions.
Thank you!
health
assessment
rle