Bed Positions and Body Postures

Sim's Position

1. A left side-lying position in which the upper leg is sharply flexed so it is not on the lower leg and the lower arm is behind the person 2. A semi-prone side position

Fowler's Position

1. A semi-sitting position 2. The head of the bed is raised between 45 and 60 degrees

Lateral Position

1. The person lies on one side or the other 2. Side-lying position

decerebrate posture

Abnormal body posture that involves the arms and legs being held straight out, the toes being pointed downward, and the head and neck being arched backwards. The muscles are tightened and held rigidly. This type of posturing usually means there has been severe damage to the brain.

decorticate posture

Abnormal posture in which a person is stiff with bent arms, clenched fists, and legs held out straight. The arms are bent in toward the body and the wrists and fingers are bent and held on the chest.

Supine Position

Back-lying or dorsal recumbent position

Prone Position

Lying on the abdomen with the head turned to one side