Patient Positions PDF

Cihan University College of Nursing First stage Subject Fundamental of Nursing Theory Lecture 2 Patient positions Prepared by: M. Abbas Mohammed Sadiq  Position Positioning is defined as planning the person in...

Cihan University College of Nursing First stage Subject Fundamental of Nursing Theory Lecture 2 Patient positions Prepared by: M. Abbas Mohammed Sadiq  Position Positioning is defined as planning the person in a proper body alignment for the purpose of preventive, promotive, curative, and rehabilitative aspects of health or placing the patient in good body alignment as needed therapeutically. https://youtu.be/HnDYPm_C3Ws?si=is4EBsd9KKae-DEf 2  Patient Positions in Bed Positioning a patient in bed is a common procedure in the hospital. There are various positions possible for patients in bed, which may be determined by their condition, preference, or treatment related to an illness. When positioning a patient in bed, supportive devices such as pillows, rolls, and blankets, along with repositioning, can aid in providing comfort and safety 3  Purposes of Patient Positions 1. To promote comfort to the patient 2. To relieve pressure on various parts 3. To stimulate circulation 4. To provide proper body alignment 5. To carry out nursing intervention 6. To perform surgical and medical interventions 7. To prevent complications caused by immobility such as bed sores (pressure ulcers), foot drop, and contractures. 8. To promote normal physiological functions 4  Types of Patient Positions 1. Supine position: The patient lies on his back with his head and shoulders slightly elevated. Additional supportive devices may be added for comfort. 5  Indications of Supine position: 1. Usual position 2. General examination or physical assessment. 3. Examination of the chest and abdomen 4. Used for surgical procedures (In Operation Room) 6  2. Prone Position The client lies on the abdomen with the head turned to one side. 7  Indications Prone Position 1. It promotes drainage from the mouth and is especially useful for unconscious clients or those clients recovering from surgery on the mouth or throat. 2. Patient with pressure sores, burns, injuries, and operations on the back. 3. To relieve abdomen distension 4. Renal biopsy. 5. Examine the back 8  3. Lateral Position The patient lies on the side of the body with the top leg over the bottom leg. A pillow is given under the head, back, and front to support the arms and abdomen. A small pillow is given between the knees. 9  Indication of Lateral Position 1. Patients who require intermittent position changes 2. In immediate post-operative patients 3. Used for examination of perineum 4. Inserting suppositories. 5. For taking rectal temperature. 6. Giving back care 7. For giving enema and colonic irrigation. 10  4. Lithotomy Position The client lies supine with hips flexed. The legs are separated and thighs are flexed. The patient’s buttocks are kept at the edge of the table and legs are supported by stirrups. 11  Indication of Lithotomy Position 1. For delivery of baby 2. For rectal examination and surgeries 3. For vaginal examination and hysterectomy. 4. For Episiotomy operation 12  5. Dorsal Recumbent Position Patient lies on back, knees fully flexed, thighs flexed and externally rotated feet flat on the bed. 13  Indications Dorsal Recumbent Position 1. It is used for urinary catheterization; vaginal douche; valval, vaginal, and rectal examination 2. It is also used for vaginal operations and insertion of tampons. 14  6. Sims position The client lies on either the right or left side. The knees are both bent. These positions are similar to the lateral position except that the patient’s weight is on the anterior aspect. 15  Indications Sims position 1. Vaginal and rectal examination 2. Administration of enema and suppository 3. Used for relaxation. 4. Position for sigmoidoscopy. 16  Fowler’s position (semi-sitting position) It is a sitting position in which the head is elevated at 45˚ to 60˚. Typically, Fowler’s position refers to a 45° angle of elevation of the upper body. 17  Indications Fowler’s position (semi-sitting position) 1. To relieve dyspnea 2. To improve circulation 3. To relax the muscles of the abdomen, back, and thighs. 4. To relieve tension in the abdomen. 18  Types of Fowler’s position Low Fowler’s Position 2. High-Fowler’s position 19  Trendelenburg Position In this position, the patient lies on the back with the head low. The foot of the bed is elevated at 45˚ angle. 20  Indications Trendelenburg Position 1. Used in emergencies like shock, hemorrhage, and hypotension 2. Postural drainage. 3. Patients with deep vein thrombosis. 21  9. Knee-Chest Position The patient rests on the knees and the chest. The body is at 90˚ angle to the hips with back straight, the arm above the head, and the head turned to one side. 22  Indications of Knee-Chest Position 1. Used for vaginal and rectal examination 2. Used in first aid treatment in cord prolapse or retroverted uterus 3. As an exercise for postpartum and gynecology patients. 23  10. Orthopneic position High Fowler’s position with over bed table. The patient to rest both hands on over bed table/on the pillow and lean forward. Leaning forward facilitates respiration by allowing maximum chest expansion by reducing the pressure of abdominal organs on the diaphragm. 24  Indications of Orthopneic position 1. Patients with severe dyspnea 2. Cardiac patients 3. Position for thoracocentesis 4. Patient with chest drainage tubes 25 26