Positions

Sims'

Lying on the left side in semiprone position with right leg flexed and drawn up toward the chest; the left arm is positioned along the patient's back Purposes: For rectal examinations and administering enemas.

low fowler's

Head of the bed elevated 30 degrees Purposes: to prvent aspiration during tube feeding.

Lateral

Lying in the left or right side, suported behind back and between knees and ankles with pillows, in good body aligment Purposes: For patient comfort and to promote lung and cardac function. To relieve Pressure on bony prominences of the occyx and sacrum.

Trendelenburg

Lying on back with arms at sides, bed positioned so foot is higher than the head. Purposes: During some abdominal surgeries to shift abdominal contents upward

Reverse Trendelenburg

Lying on back with arms at sides, bed positioned so that head is higher than foot, but no flexion at waist. Purposes: After certain angiography procedures, allows head of bed to be elevated without causing pressure on the femoral artery. During certain abdominal surgeries to shifLatwrt abdominal contents downward.

Lithotomy

Lying on back with knees flexed above the hips and legs supported in stirrups Purposes: For vaginalnd gynecological surgery and examination, delivery of neonate, pelvic and gynecological surgery and procedures.

Prone

Lying on stomach with head turned to the side. Purposes: To improve oxygenation in patients with acute respiratory distress. To relieve pressure on the back, coccyx, and hips

Dorsal recumbent

Lying on the back with arms at sides, legs apart, knees bent, and feet flat on the bed. Purposes: For physical examination of abdoment and genitalia, perineal care, examination during labor

Supine

Lying on the back with arms at sides. Purposes: For physical examination, resting in bed, undergoing anesthesia

Fowler's

Semi-sitting position with various degrees of head elevation with knees slighty elevated Purposes: vary based on elevation

Orthopneic

Sitting upright with head of bed elevated 90 degrees or on the side of the bed with feet flat on the floor, patient leaning slightly forward with arms raised and elbows flexed, supported on an overbed table. Purposes: To assist pt in severe respiratory distress, by allowing chest to expand to maximum capacity for moving air in and out of the lungs

A client sustains a back injury after falling 20 feet. The nurse should place the client in what position?

When caring for a client with a suspected back injury, the client should be positioned to keep the vertebral column in alignment (back straight) to prevent further spinal cord damage by vertebral (bone) movements. The lateral position with a pillow between the knees is contraindicated because it may cause the spine to torque. To prevent additional damage to the spinal cord, the vertebral column should be kept horizontal with the spine in alignment. The comfortable position chosen by the client may be contraindicated because it may not maintain the spine in alignment. The sitting position is contraindicated because it causes the spine to flex, which can precipitate additional injury.

High Fowler"s

head of bed elevated 90 degrees Purposes: To eat and drink without risk of choking. To asist patients who have difficulty breathing

Semi-Fowler's

head of the bed elevated 45 degrees purposes: To comfortably watch television or converse with visitors. After abdominal surgeries to relieve tension on incision. To assist patients who have difficulty beathing.