POSITIONS

Positioning Patients

Positioning that maintains correct body alignment and

Facilitates physiologic functioning contributes to the patient’s psychological and physical well-being.

Standing position Sitting position Fowler’s Position Supine or Dorsal

Recumbent Position Side-lying or Lateral

Position ( Rt / Lt)

Prone Position Sims Trendelenburg Lithotomy Knee Chest Position:

Standing position:

head is held erect, back is kept straight, chest is put forward, shoulders are kept back, elbows are slightly flexed, wrists are extended, fingers are slightly flexed, abdomen is drawn inward and kept flat, knees are slightly flexed, and are pointing ahead and

parallel to each other about 3 inches apart.

should not be used for patients who are weak, dizzy, or prone to fall.

It is used to assess posture, balance, and gait (while walking upright).

Sitting position :

In sitting position, the weight of the body is balanced by ischial tuberosities the buttocks and the thighs.

Elbows are flexed and supported, hips are flexed at right angles to the trunk, knees are flexed at right angles to the thighs, Back is held erect and the back and buttocks are supported by the back of

the chair.

facilitates full lung expansion, and is used to assess vital signs

Fowler’s Position

The semi sitting position, or Fowler’s position, the head of the bed to be elevated 45 to 60

degrees. used to promote cardiac and respiratory

functioning position of choice for eating, conversation, vision,

and urinary and intestinal elimination.

This position is used for patients with dyspnoea (difficulty in breathing), distended abdomen, abdominal surgery, Cardiothoracic disorders and ascites. The position is also useful while passing Ryle’s tube

and performing tapping of ascites fluid.

high Fowler’s -head of the bed is elevated 90 degrees.

In low Fowler’s or semi-Fowler’s position-30 degrees.

Supine or Dorsal Recumbent Position

the patient lies flat on the back with the head and shoulders slightly elevated with a pillow

Most of the patients are nursed in this position.

Side-lying or Lateral Position

lateral aspect of the lower scapula and the lateral aspect of the lower ilium.

This position is used for general comfort, rest and relaxation.

During back care, patient is placed in lateral position.

Left lateral position is used for vaginal, perineal and rectal examinations, and

For post operative patients -to maintain a clear airway.

Oblique position

The patient turns toward the side with the hip of the top leg flexed at a 30-degree angle and the

knee flexed at 35 degrees.

Sims’ position.

Patient lies on the side, but the lower arm is behind the patient and the upper arm is flexed at both the shoulder and the elbow.

Sims position or semi prone position:

This is a modified left lateral position. The patient lies on the left side. Head, shoulders and chest are turned forward so that her chest

rests on the pillow. The right knee is well flexed and rests on the bed in front. The left knee is slightly flexed and is positioned behind the

right knee. This position is useful for performing vaginal examinations

and for rests and relaxation.

Prone Position

the person lies on the abdomen with the head turned to the side.

The body is straight helps to prevent flexion contractures of the hips and

knees. contraindicated for people with spinal problems.

This position is used when there is bedsore or burns or an injury at the back and

as a change of position for patients which fractured spine.

Trendelenburg position:

The patient lies on this back with the foot at the bed elevated on wooden blocks.

Patient’s head and trunk are lower than the legs.

Lithotomy Position:

The patient is kept on his back. Head and shoulders rest on a small soft pillow. Knees are flexed well and buttocks are brought

over to the edge of the bed. If it is used for a long period, the legs are

supported by stirrups, attached to the table. The position is used for examination or operations

on rectum and genital organs.

It is used to assess female genitalia and rectum.

Knee Chest Position:

The patient knees on the bed and then lowers his head, shoulders and chest and rests them on the bed.

Head is turned to one side, and kept on a pillow. The thighs are kept vertical. Arms are crossed above the head. This position is useful for performing vaginal and

rectal examinations and for correcting displaced uterus or other organs.

It is used to assess the anus and rectum.