CHAPTER: PATIENT POSITIONING
1. Definition
• Patient positioning refers to the techniques nurses use with their patients to maintain a neutral body
alignment.
Positioning a patient in a medical 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.
2 Goals of Patient Positioning:
•Proper patient positions help to: Protect the patient from potential problems related to immobility and injuries.
• Maintain the patient’s privacy and comfort.
• Provide exposure to the surgical site.
• Provide access to intravenous (IV)
lines and monitoring equipment.
• Stabilize the patient to prevent
unintended shifting or movement.
• Observe and protect fingers, toes,
• maintain a patent airways
• Maintain circulation.
• Protect muscles, nerves, bony
prominences, joints, skin, and vital
organs from injury.
3. Types of patient PositioSupine position
a. Supine position
In supine position, patient lies flat on back,legs may be extended or slightly bent with arms up
or down. Additional support devices may be added for comfort. The supine position is
commonly used for general examination or physical assessment.
b.. Prone position
In prone position, patient lies on stomach with head turned to the side and the hips are not
flexed. To support a patient lying in prone, place a small pillow under the head and a pillow
under the legs.The prone position is used in medical settings to help patients with certain
conditions and symptoms get relief.
c. Lateral position
The patient lies on the side of the body with the top leg over the bottom leg and the hip and
knee flexed. This position helps relieve pressure on the coccyx. Support pillows are needed to
correctly position the patient in a lateral position.
d. Sims position
The patient lies between lateral and prone with legs flexed in front of the patient. The lower
arm is positioned behind the client, and the upper arm is flexed at the shoulder and the elbow.
This position is usually used for rectal examination, treatments, enemas, and examining
women for vaginal wall prolapse.
e. Fowler's position
Fowler's position is a standard patient position in which the patient is seated in a semi-sitting
position (30-90 degrees) and may have knees either bent or straight. This is a common
position to provide patient comfort and care.There's different types of flower's.
g.Trendelenburg position
Place the head of the bed lower than the feet. The patient's arms should be tucked at their
sides. This position is used in situations such as hypotension and medical emergencies. It
helps promote a venous return to major organs such as the head and heart.
i.Reverse Trendelenburg Position
Place the head of the bed higher than the feet. It is the opposite of Trendelenburg's position.
Reverse Trendelenburg is often used for patients with gastrointestinal problems as it helps
minimize esophageal reflux.
Other positions
