Bed Positions for Nursing

Fowler's Position

a semi-sitting position; the bed position where the head and trunk are raised 45 to 60 degrees relative to the bed and the knees may or may not be flexed.

prone position

the client lies on the abdomen with head turned to one side; the hips are not flexed.

Sims' (semiprone) Position

when the client assumes a posture halfway between the lateral and the prone positions; the lower arm is positioned behind the client, and the upper arm is flexed at the shoulder and the elbow.

Lateral (side-lying) Position

when the client lies on one side of the body.

Orthopenic Position

when the client sits either in bed or on the side of the bed with an overbed table across the lap.

Dorsal Recumbent (back-lying) Position

when the client's head and shoulders are slightly elevated on a small pillow.

supine or dorsal position

when the head and shoulders are not elevated; the client's forearms may be elevated on pillows or placed at the client's sides.

semi-Fowler's position (low Fowler's)

when the head and trunk are raised 15 to 45 degrees; typically means 30 degrees of elevation.

high-Fowler's position

when the head and trunk are raised 60 to 90 degrees and most often the client is sitting upright at a right angle to the bed.