Patient'Positioning'Cheat'Sheet'
!
Positioning!patients!correctly!is!important!for!a!variety!of!reasons.!In!surgery,!proper!positioning!provides!optimal!exposure!of!the!
surgical!site!and!maintenance!of!the!patient’s!dignity!by!controlling!unnecessary!exposure.!Additionally,!positioning!patients!provides!
airway!management!and!ventilation,!maintaining!body!alignment,!and!provide!physiologic!safety.!Here’s!a!list!of!the!common!
conditions,!procedures,!and!diseases!with!their!recommended!position!and!rationale!for!each.!!
!
Condition'
Position'
Rationale'&'Additional'Info'
Bronchoscopy!
After:!SemiAFowler’s!
To!reduce!aspiration!risk!from!difficulty!of!swallowing!
Cerebral!angiography!
During:'Flat!on!bed!with!arms!at!sidesF!kept!still.!!
'
After:!Extremity!in!which!contrast!was!injected!is!kept!
straight!for!6!to!8!hours.!Flat,!if!femoral!artery!was!
used.!
Apply!firm!pressure!on!site!for!15!minutes!after!the!
procedure.!
Myelogram!(air!contrast)!
Pre9op:!surgical!table!will!be!moved!to!various!
positions!during!test.!
!
Post9op:!HOB!is!lower!than!trunk.!!
Myelogram!(oilAbased!dye)!
Pre9op:!surgical!table!will!be!moved!to!various!
positions!during!test.!!
!
Post9op:!Flat!on!bed!for!6!to!8!hours!
To!disperse!dye.!!
To!disperse!dye.!
!
!
To!prevent!CSF!leakage.!!
Myelogram!(waterAbased!
dye)!
Pre9op:!surgical!table!will!be!moved!to!various!
positions!during!test.!!
!
Post9op:!HOB!elevated!for!8!hours.!
!
!
!
To!prevent!dye!from!irritating!the!meninges.!
Liver!biopsy!
During:'Supine!with!RIGHT!side!of!upper!abdomen!
exposedF!RIGHT!arm!raised!and!extended!behind!
and!and!overhead!and!shoulder.!!
After:'RIGHT!sideAlying!with!pillow!under!puncture!site.!!
To!expose!the!area.!!
!
!
!
To!apply!pressure!and!minimize!bleeding.!!
Lung!biopsy!
Flat!supine!with!arms!raised!above!head!and!hands!
health!togetherF!head!and!arms!on!pillow.!
To!expose!and!provide!easy!access!to!the!area.!!
Renal!biopsy!
PRONE!with!pillow!under!the!abdomen!and!shoulders.!
To!expose!the!area.!
Arteriovenous!fistula!
Post9op:!Elevate!extremity!
Don’t!sleep!on!affected!sideF!encourage!exercise!by!
squeezing!a!rubber!ball.!
Don’t!use!AV!arm!for!BP!reading!and!venipuncture.!!
Peritoneal!Dialysis!
When'outflow'is'inadequate:!turn!patient!from!side!to!
side.!!
Turning!facilitates!drainageF!check!for!kinks!in!the!
tubing.!!
Possible!to!have!abdominal!cramps!and!bloodAtinged!
outflow!if!catheter!was!placed!in!the!last!1A2!
weeks.!!
Cloudy!outflow!is!never!normal.!!
Meniere's!Disease!!
Change!position!slowlyF!bedrest!during!acute!phase!
Autografting!
Immobilize!site!for!3!to!7!days.!
To!promote!healing!and!maximal!adhesion.!
Internal!radiation,!during!
treatment!
Strict!bedrest!while!implant!is!in!place!
To!prevent!dislodgement!of!the!implant!device.!!
Provide!own!urinal!or!bedpan!to!patient.!!
Heart!failure!with!pulmonary!
edema!
Sitting!up,!with!legs!dangling!
To!decrease!venous!return!and!reduce!congestionF!
promotes!ventilation!and!relieves!dyspnea.!
Provide!protection!when!ambulating!
Myocardial!infarction!
SemiAFowler’s!
Pericarditis!
HighAFowlers,!upright!leaning!forward.!!
To!help!lessen!pain.!!
Peripheral!artery!disease!
Depending!on!desired!outcome.!Slight!elevation!of!legs!
but!not!above!the!heart!or!slightly!dependent.!
Dangle!legs!on!side!of!the!bed.!
To!slow!or!increase!arterial!return!
Shock!
Flat!on!bed.!
To!improve!or!increase!circulation.!
Trendelenburg!is!no!longer!a!recommended!position.!!
Sickle!Cell!Anemia!
HOB!elevated!30!degrees,!avoid!knee!gatch!and!
putting!strain!on!painful!joints!
To!promote!maximum!lung!expansion!and!assist!in!
breathing.!!
Varicose!veins,!leg!ulcers,!
and!venous!insufficiency!
Elevate!extremities!above!heart!level.!
To!prevent!pooling!of!blood!in!the!legs!and!facilitate!
venous!returnF!avoid!prolonged!standing.!!
Deep!vein!thrombosis!
Bed!rest!with!affected!limb!elevated.!
After!24!hours!after!heparin!therapy,!patient!can!
ambulate!if!pain!level!permits.!
To!promote!circulation.!
Tracheoesophageal!fistula!
(TEF)!
HOB!elevated!30A45!degrees.!
To!prevent!reflux.!
Ventriculoperitoneal!shunt!
(for!Hydrocephalus!
treatment)!
After!shunt!placement:!Place!on!nonAoperative!side!in!
flat!position.!
!
HOB!raised!15A30!degrees!if!ICP!is!increased.!!
!
Do!not!hold!infant!with!head!elevated.!!
Avoid!rapid!fluid!drainage.!!
Hyphema!
Blood%in%anterior%chamber%of%
eye!
HOB!elevated!30A45!degrees,!with!night!shield.!!
To!allow!the!hyphema!to!settle!out!inferiorly!and!
avoid!obstruction!of!vision!and!to!facilitate!
resolution!
Abdominal!aneurysm!
Post9op:!HOB!no!more!than!45!degrees!!
To!avoid!flexion!of!the!graft.!!
Dehiscence!
Place!in!lowAFowler’s!position!then!raise!knees!or!
instruct!knees!and!support!them!with!a!pillow.!
To!decrease!tension!on!the!abdomen.!!
Dumping!Syndrome,!
prevention!of!
Take!meals!in!reclining!position,!lie!down!for!20A30!
minutes!after.!
To!delay!gastric!emptying!time.!!
Restrict!fluids!during!meals,!low!carb,!low!fiber!diet!in!
small!frequent!meals.!!
Evisceration!
Place!in!lowAFowler’s!position.!
Instruct!not!to!coughF!place!on!NPOF!keep!intestines!
moist!and!covered!with!sterile!saline!until!patient!
can!be!wheeled!to!OR.!!
Gastroesophageal!reflux!
disease!(GERD)!
Reverse!Trendelenburg,!slanted!bed!with!head!higher.!
!
Pediatric:!prone!with!HOB!elevated.!
To!promote!gastric!emptying!and!reduce!reflux.!
Hiatal!hernia!
Upright!position!after!meals.!
To!prevent!gastric!content!reflux.!!
Pyloric!stenosis!
RIGHT!sideAlying!position!after!meals.!
To!facilitate!entry!of!stomach!contents!into!the!
intestines.!
Extremity!burns!
Elevate!extremity.!
To!reduce!dependent!edema!and!pressure.!
Facial!burns!or!trauma!
Head!elevated!
To!reduce!edema!
Autonomic!dysreflexia!
Initially!place!in!sitting!position!or!high!Fowler’s!position!
with!legs!dangling.!!
To!reduce!blood!pressures!below!dangerous!levels!
and!provide!partial!symptom!relief.!!
!
Source:!http://nurseslabs.com/patientApositioning/!!
For!more!cheat!sheets!visit:!http://nurseslabs.com/tag/cheatAsheets/!
To!help!lessen!chest!pain!and!promote!
respiration.!
2!
Cerebral!aneurysm!
HOB!elevated!30A45!degreesF!bed!rest!
To!prevent!pressure!on!aneurysm!site!
Heat!stroke!
Supine,!flat!with!legs!elevated.!!
To!promote!venous!return!and!maintain!blood!flow!to!
the!head.!
Hemorrhagic!stroke!
HOB!elevated!30!degrees.!!
To!reduce!ICP!and!encourage!blood!drainage.!
Avoid!hip!and!neck!flexion!which!inhibits!drainage.!
Increased!intracranial!
pressure!(ICP)!
Elevate!HOB!30A45!degrees,!maintain!head!midline!and!
in!neutral!position.!!
To!promote!venous!drainage.!
Avoid!flexion!of!the!neck,!head!rotation,!hip!flexion,!
coughing,!sneezing!and!bending!forward.!!
Ischemic!stroke!
HOB!flat!in!midline,!neutral!position.!
To!facilitate!venous!drainage!and!encourage!arterial!
blood!flow.!!
Avoid!hip!and!neck!flexion!which!inhibits!drainage!
Seizure!
SideAlying!or!recovery!position.!!
To!drain!secretions!and!prevent!aspiration.!
Spinal!cord!injury!
Immobilize!on!spinal!backboard,!head!in!neutral!
position!and!immobilized!with!a!firm,!padded!
cervical!collar!!
Must!be!log!rolled!without!allowing!any!twisting!or!
bending!movements!
To!prevent!any!movement!and!further!injury.!
Head!injury!
Elevate!HOB!30!degrees,!head!should!be!kept!in!
neutral!position.!
To!decrease!intracranial!pressure!(ICP).!!
Keep!head!from!flexing!or!rotating.!
Avoid!frequent!suctioning.!
Buck’s!Traction!
Elevate!FOB!for!counterAtractionF!use!trapeze!for!
movingF!place!pillow!beneath!lower!legs.!
Ask!patient!to!dorsiflex!foot!of!the!affected!leg!to!
assess!function!of!peroneal!nerve,!weakness!
may!indicate!pressure!on!the!nerve.!!
Casted!arm!
Elevate!at!or!above!level!of!heart!
To!minimize!swelling!
Delayed!prosthesis!fitting!
Elevate!foot!of!bed!to!elevate!residual!limb.!
To!hasten!venous!return!and!prevent!edema.!
Hip!fracture!
Affected!extremity!needs!to!be!abducted.!
Use!splints,!wedge!pillow,!or!pillows!between!legs.!!
Avoid!stooping,!flexion!position!during!sex,!and!
overexertion!during!walking!or!exercise.!!
Hip!replacement!
On!unaffected!side:!maintain!abduction!when!in!supine!
position!with!pillow!between!legs.!
HOB!raised!to!30A45!degrees.!
Avoid!extreme!internal!or!external!rotation.!
Immediate!prosthesis!fitting!
Elevate!residual!limb!for!24!hours.!
Rigid!cast!acts!to!control!swelling.!!
Osteomyelitis!
Support!affected!extremity!with!pillows!or!splints!
To!maintain!proper!body!alignmentF!avoid!strenuous!
exercises.!
Total!hip!replacement!
Help!to!sitting!positionF!place!chair!at!90!degrees!angle!
to!bedF!stand!on!affected!sideF!pivot!patient!to!
unaffected!side.!!
To!prevent!dizziness!and!orthostatic!hypotension.!
Acute!Respiratory!Distress!
Syndrome!(ARDS)!!
High!Fowler’s!
To!promote!oxygenation!via!maximum!chest!
expansion.!!
Air!embolism!from!dislodged!
central!venous!line!
Turn!to!LEFT!side!or!place!in!Trendelenburg.!
Patient!should!be!immediately!repositioned!with!the!
right!atrium!above!the!gas!entry!site!so!that!
trapped!air!will!not!move!into!the!pulmonary!
circulation.!!
Asthma!
High!Fowler’s!
Tripod!position:!sitting!position!while!leaning!forward!
with!hands!on!knees.!
To!promote!oxygenation!via!maximum!chest!
expansion.!!
Chronic!Obstructive!
Pulmonary!Disease!(COPD)!
High!Fowler’s!
Orthopneic!position!
To!promote!maximum!lung!expansion!and!assist!in!
breathing.!!
Emphysema!
High!Fowler’s!
To!promote!maximum!lung!expansion!
!
Source:!http://nurseslabs.com/patientApositioning/!!
For!more!cheat!sheets!visit:!http://nurseslabs.com/tag/cheatAsheets/!
3!
Orthopneic!position!
Pleural!Effusion!
High!Fowler’s!
To!provide!maximal!!
Pneumonia!
High!Fowler’s!
!
Lay!on!affected!side!
!
Lay!with!affected!lung!up!
To!maximize!breathing!mechanisms.!!
!
To!splint!and!reduce!pain.!!
!
To!reduce!congestion.!
Pneumothorax!
High!Fowler’s!
To!promote!maximum!lung!expansion!and!assist!in!
breathing.!!
Pulmonary!edema!
High!Fowler’s,!legs!dependent!position!
To!decrease!edema!and!congestion!
Pulmonary!embolism!
High!Fowler’s!
Turn!patient!to!LEFT!side!and!lower!HOB!
To!promote!maximum!lung!expansion!and!assist!in!
breathing.!!
Flail!chest!
High!Fowler’s!
To!provide!maximal!comfort!and!maximize!breathing!
mechanisms.!!
Rib!fracture!
High!Fowler’s!
To!promote!maximum!lung!expansion!and!assist!in!
breathing.!!
Contraction!stress!test!(CST)!
Placed!in!semiAFowler’s!or!sideAlying!position!
Monitor!for!postAtest!labor!onset.!!
Cord!prolapse!
Shrimp!or!fetal!positionF!modified!Sims’!or!
Trendelenburg.!
To!prevent!pressure!on!the!cord.!If!cord!prolapses,!
cover!with!sterile!saline!gauze!to!prevent!drying.!!
Fetal!distress!
Turn!mother!to!her!LEFT!side.!
To!reduce!compression!of!the!vena!cava!and!aorta.!!
Late!decelerations!(placental!
insufficiency)!
Turn!mother!to!her!LEFT!side.!
To!allow!more!blood!flow!to!the!placenta.!!
Placenta!previa!
Sitting!position.!
To!minimize!bleeding.!
Variable!decelerations!(cord!
compression)!
Place!mother!in!Trendelenburg!position.!
To!remove!pressure!off!the!presenting!part!of!the!
cord!and!prevent!gravity!from!pulling!the!fetus!out!
of!the!body.!
Spina!Bifida!
Prone!(on!abdomen).!
To!prevent!sac!rupture.!
Cleft!lip!(congenital)!
Position!on!back!or!in!infant!seat.!!
Hold!in!upright!position!while!feeding.!
To!prevent!trauma!to!suture!line.!
Prolapsed!umbilical!cord!
During'labor:!KneeAchest!position!or!Trendelenburg.!
Relieves!pressure!or!gravity!from!pulling!the!cord.!!
Hand!in!vagina!to!hold!presenting!part!of!fetus!off!
cord.!
Cardiac!catheterization!(post)!
HOB!elevated!no!more!than!30!degrees!or!flat!as!
prescribed.!!
May!turn!to!either!side!
Affected!extremity!should!be!kept!straight.!!
Continuous!Bladder!Irrigation!
(CBI)!
Tape!catheter!to!thighF!no!other!positioning!restrictions!
Prevents!the!catheter!from!being!dislodged.!
Ear!drops!
Position!affected!ear!uppermost!then!lie!on!unaffected!
ear!for!absorption.!!
Pull!outer!ear!upward!and!back!for!adultsF!upward!
and!down!for!children.!!
Ear!irrigation!
During'procedure:!Tilt!head!towards!affected!ear.!
After'procedure:'Lie!on!affected!side!for!drainage.!!
Better!visualization!and!drainage!of!the!medium!to!
the!ear!canal!via!gravity.!!
!
Source:!http://nurseslabs.com/patientApositioning/!!
For!more!cheat!sheets!visit:!http://nurseslabs.com/tag/cheatAsheets/!
4!
Eye!drops!
Tilt!head!back!and!look!up,!pull!lid!down.!
Drop!to!center!of!the!lower!conjunctival!sacF!blink!
between!dropsF!press!inner!canthus!near!nose!
bridge!for!1A2!min!to!prevent!systemic!absorption.!!
Lumbar!puncture!
During:'Shrimp!or!fetal!position!(sideAlying!with!back!
bowed,!knees!drawn!up!to!abdomen,!neck!flexed!to!
rest!chin!on!chest).!!
!
After:'Flat!on!bed!for!4A12!hours.!
To!maximize!spine!flexion.!
To!prevent!spinal!headache!and!CSF!leakage.!
Nasogastric!tube!insertion!
High!Fowler’s!with!head!tilted!forward!
Closes!the!trachea!and!opens!the!esophagusF!
prevents!aspiration.!
Nasogastric!tube!irrigation!
and!tube!feedings!
HOB!elevated!30!to!45!degreesF!keep!elevated!for!1!
hour!after!an!intermittent!feeding.!
!
With'decreased'LOC:'RIGHT!sideAlying!with!HOB!
elevated.!
!
With'tracheostomy:!Maintain!in!semiAFowler’s!position!
To!prevent!aspiration.!!
!
!
Paracentesis!
During:'SemiAFowler’s!in!bed!or!sitting!upright!on!side!
of!bed!with!chairF!support!the!feet.!!
Post:!Assist!into!any!comfortable!position!
Empty!the!bladder!before!procedureF!report!elevated!
temperatureF!assess!for!hypovolemia.!
Postural!Drainage!
Trendelenburg!
Lung!area!needing!drainage!should!be!in!uppermost!
position!
Rectal!enema!administration!
Left!sideAlying!(Sims’!position)!with!right!knee!flexed.!
Allows!gravity!to!work!into!the!direction!of!the!colon!
by!placing!the!descending!colon!at!its!lowest!point.!!
Rectal!enemas!and!irrigation!
Left!sideAlying,!Sims’!position!
To!allow!fluid!to!flow!in!the!natural!direction!of!the!
colon.!!
SengstakenABlakemore!and!
Minnesota!tubes!
HOB!elevated!
To!enhance!lung!expansion!and!reduce!portal!blood!
flow,!permitting!esophagogastric!balloon!
tamponade.!!
Thoracentesis!
Before:'(1)!Sitting!on!edge!of!bed!while!leaning!on!
bedside!table!with!feet!supported!by!stoolF!or!lying!
in!bed!on!unaffected!side!with!head!elevated!45!
degrees.!
(2)!Lying!in!bed!on!unaffected!side!with!HOB!
elevated!to!Fowler’s.!
'
After:!Assist!patient!into!any!comfortable!position!
preferred.!
Prevent!fluid!leakage!into!the!thoracic!cavity.!
Total!Parenteral!Nutrition!
(TPN)!
During'insertion:!Trendelenburg.!
To!prevent!air!embolism.!
Vascular!extremity!graft!
Bed!rest!for!24!hours,!keep!extremity!straight!and!avoid!
knee!or!hip!flexion!
For!maximal!adhesion.!!
Perineal!procedures!
Lithotomy!
For!better!visualization!of!the!area.!!
Appendectomy!
Post9op:!Fowler’s!position!
Cataract!surgery!
Sleep!on!unaffected!side!with!a!night!shield!for!1!to!4!
weeks.!!
SemiAFowler’s!or!Fowler’s!on!back!or!on!nonAoperative!
side.!
To!prevent!edema.!
Craniotomy!
HOB!elevated!30A45%!with!head!in!a!midline,!neutral!
position.!
To!facilitate!venous!drainage.!
!
Source:!http://nurseslabs.com/patientApositioning/!!
For!more!cheat!sheets!visit:!http://nurseslabs.com/tag/cheatAsheets/!
Promotes!emptying!of!the!stomach!and!prevents!
aspiration.!
!
To!prevent!aspiration.!!
To!relieve!abdominal!pain!and!ease!breathing.!
5!
Never!put!client!on!operative!side,!especially!if!bone!
was!removed.!!
Hemorrhoidectomy!
During:!Prone!Jackknife!position.!
Provides!better!visualization!of!the!area.!!
Hypophysectomy!
Surgical%removal%of%the%
pituitary%gland.%!
HOB!elevated.!
To!prevent!increase!in!ICP.!
Infratentorial!surgery!
Incision%at%back%of%head,%
above%nape%of%neck!
Flat!and!lateral!on!either!sideF!avoid!neck!flexing.!
To!facilitate!drainage.!!
Kidney!transplant!
Post9op:'SemiAFowler’s,!turn!from!back!to!nonA
operative!side!
To!promote!gas!exchange!
Laminectomy!
Back!is!kept!straight.!
Patient!is!logrolled!if!turned.!!
Sit!straight!in!straightAbacked!chair!when!out!of!bed!or!
when!ambulating.!
Laryngectomy!
HOB!elevated!30A45!degrees!
To!maintain!airway!and!decrease!edema.!
Mastectomy!
SemiAFowler’s!with!arm!on!affected!side!elevated.!
!
To!allow!lymph!drainage.!
Turn!only!on!back!and!on!unaffected!side.!
Mitral!valve!replacement!
Post9op:!semiAFowler’s!position.!
To!assist!in!breathing.!!
Myringotomy!
Post9op:'Position!on!side!of!affected!ear!.!!
To!allow!drainage!of!secretions!
Retinal!detachment!
Bed!rest!with!minimal!activity!and!repositioning.!!
Area!of!detachment!should!be!in!the!dependent!
position.!!
Helps!detached!retina!fall!into!place.!!
Supratentorial!surgery!
Incision%front%of%head%below%
hairline!
HOB!elevated!30A45!degreesF!maintain!head/neckline!
in!midline!neutral!positionF!avoid!extreme!hip!and!
neck!flexion.!
To!facilitate!drainage.!
Thyroidectomy!
Post9op:'High!Fowler’s!or!semiAFowler’s.!!
Avoid!extension!and!movement!by!using!sandbags!or!
pillows.!
To!reduce!swelling!and!edema!in!the!neck!area.!!
To!decrease!tension!on!the!suture!line!and!support!
the!head!and!neck.!!
Tonsillectomy!
Post9op:!prone!or!sideAlying!
To!facilitate!drainage!and!relieve!pressure!on!the!
neck.!!
Bone!marrow!
aspiration/biopsy!
Side!lying!with!head!tucked!and!legs!pulled!up!orF!!
Prone!with!arms!folded!under!chin.!
To!expose!the!area.!!
Apply!pressure!to!the!area!after!the!procedure!to!
stop!the!bleeding.!
Amputation:!above!the!knee!
Elevate!for!first!24!hours!using!pillow.!!
Position!prone!twice!daily.!
To!prevent!edema.!
To!provide!for!hip!extension!and!stretching!of!flexor!
musclesF!prevent!contractures,!abduction!
Amputation:!below!the!knee!
Foot!of!bed!elevated!for!first!24!hours.!!
Position!prone!daily.!
To!prevent!edema.!!
To!provide!for!hip!extension.!!
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Source:!http://nurseslabs.com/patientApositioning/!!
For!more!cheat!sheets!visit:!http://nurseslabs.com/tag/cheatAsheets/!
6!
Fowler's!
•!
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Lateral!position!
Fowler's!position,!is!a!bed!position!wherein!the!head!and!trunk!
are!raised!40!to!90!degrees.!
Fowler's!position!is!used!for!people!who!have!difficulty!breathing!
because!in!this!position,!gravity!pulls!the!diaphragm!downward!
allowing!greater!chest!and!lung!expansion.!
In!low'Fowler's'or!semi9Fowler's'position,!the!head!and!trunk!
are!raised!to!15!to!45!degreesF!in!high'Fowler's,!the!head!and!
trunk!are!raised!90!degrees.!
This!position!is!useful!for!patients!who!have!cardiac,!respiratory,!
or!neurological!problems!and!is!often!optimal!for!patients!who!
have!nasogastric!tube!in!place.!
Using!a!footboard!is!recommended!to!keep!the!patient's!feet!in!
proper!alignment!and!to!help!prevent!foot!drop.!
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Orthopneic!or!Tripod!
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Orthopneic!or!tripod!position!places!the!patients!in!a!sitting!
position!or!on!the!side!of!the!bed!with!an!over!bed!table!in!front!
to!lean!on!and!several!pillows!on!the!table!to!rest!on.!
Patients!who!are!having!difficulty!breathing!are!often!placed!in!
this!position!since!it!allows!maximum!expansion!of!the!chest.!
Sims!Position!
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Dorsal!Recumbent!
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In!dorsal'recumbent!or!back9lying'position,!the!client's!head!
and!shoulders!are!slightly!elevated!on!a!small!pillow.!
This!position!provides!comfort!and!facilitates!healing!following!
certain!surgeries!and!anesthetics.!
Supine!or!Dorsal!position!
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Supine!is!a!backAlying!position!similar!to!dorsal!recumbent!but!
the!head!and!shoulders!are!not!elevated.!
Just!like!dorsal!recumbent,!supine!position!provides!comfort!in!
general!for!patients!recover!after!some!types!of!surgery.!
Prone!
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In!prone!position,!the!patient!lies!on!the!abdomen!with!head!
turned!to!one!sideF!the!hips!are!not!flexed.!
This!is!the!only!bed!position!that!allows!full!extension!of!the!hip!
and!knee!joints.!
Prone!position!also!promotes!drainage!from!the!mouth!and!
useful!for!clients!who!are!unconscious!or!those!recover!from!
surgery!of!the!mouth!or!throat.!
Prone!position!should!only!be!used!when!the!client's!back!is!
correctly!aligned,!and!only!for!people!with!no!evidence!of!spinal!
abnormalities.!
To!support!a!patient!lying!in!prone,!place!a!pillow!under!the!head!
and!a!small!pillow!or!a!towel!roll!under!the!abdomen.!
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In!lateral!or!sideAlying!position,!the!patient!lies!on!one!side!of!the!
body!with!the!top!leg!in!front!of!the!bottom!leg!and!the!hip!and!
knee!flexed.!
Flexing!the!top!hip!and!knee!and!placing!this!leg!in!front!of!the!
body!creates!a!wider,!triangular!base!of!support!and!achieves!
greater!stability.!
The!greater!the!flexion!of!the!top!hip!and!knee,!the!greater!the!
stability!and!balance!in!this!position.!This!flexion!reduces!
lordosis!and!promotes!good!back!alignment.!
Lateral!position!helps!relieve!pressure!on!the!sacrum!and!heels!
in!people!who!sit!for!much!of!the!day!or!confined!to!bed!rest!in!
Fowler's!or!dorsal!recumbent.!
In!this!position,!most!of!the!body!weight!is!distributed!to!the!
lateral!aspect!of!the!lower!scapula,!the!lateral!aspect!of!the!ilium,!
and!the!greater!trochanter!of!the!femur.!
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Sims'!is!a!semiAprone!position!where!the!patient!assumes!a!
posture!halfway!between!the!lateral!and!prone!positions.!The!
lower!arm!is!positioned!behind!the!client,!and!the!upper!arm!is!
flexed!at!the!shoulder!and!the!elbow.!Both!legs!are!flexed!in!front!
of!the!client.!The!upper!leg!is!more!acutely!flexed!at!both!the!hip!
and!the!knee,!than!is!the!lower!one.!
Sims'!may!be!used!for!unconscious!clients!because!it!facilitates!
drainage!from!the!mouth!and!prevents!aspiration!of!fluids.!
It!is!also!used!for!paralyzed!clients!because!it!reduces!pressure!
over!the!sacrum!and!greater!trochanter!of!the!hip.!
It!is!often!used!for!clients!receiving!enemas!and!occasionally!for!
clients!undergoing!examinations!or!treatments!of!the!perineal!
area.!
Pregnant!women!may!find!the!Sims!position!comfortable!for!
sleeping.!
Support!proper!body!alignment!in!Sims's!position!by!placing!a!
pillow!underneath!the!patient's!head!and!under!the!upper!arm!to!
prevent!internal!rotation.!Place!another!pillow!between!legs.!
Trendelenburg's!
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Trendelenburg's!position!involves!lowering!the!head!of!the!bed!
and!raising!the!foot!of!the!bed!of!the!patient.!
Patient's!who!have!hypotension!can!benefit!from!this!position!
because!it!promotes!venous!return.!
Reverse!Trendelenburg!
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Reverse!Trendelenburg!is!the!opposite!of!Trendelenburg's!
position.!
Here!the!HOB!is!elevated!with!the!foot!of!bed!down.!
This!is!often!a!position!of!choice!for!patients!with!gastrointestinal!
problems!as!it!can!help!minimize!esophageal!reflux.
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Source:!http://nurseslabs.com/patientApositioning/!!
For!more!cheat!sheets!visit:!http://nurseslabs.com/tag/cheatAsheets/!
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